Florida has seen a shocking rise in hit and run accidents in recent years. Between 2015 and 2020, 600,185 hit and run accidents were reported. In 2020 alone, 255 of those accidents were fatal. Non-fatal accidents can still cause serious injuries financial damage for the victims. A Fort Lauderdale hit and run injury attorney can help in these situations.
Committing a hit and run offense is not only a severe form of negligence, it’s a crime in the state of Florida. If you have been the victim of a hit and run accident, contact an experienced Ft. Lauderdale car accident lawyer and exercise your right to collect the damages you have suffered at the hands of such a negligent driver.
A Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Injury Attorney Can Help You Recover Damages
It is not yet clear why the rise in Florida hit and run accidents is occurring. What is clear is the physical and financial damage that such an accident causes. If you have suffered as a result of a hit and run accident in Broward, Palm Beach, or Miami-Dade County, experienced Fort Lauderdale hit and run injury attorney Lisa S. Levine P.A. can help you determine the favorable compensation path for your case. Your first consultation with Lisa S. Levine P.A. regarding your hit and run accident is free, so call (954) 256-1820 today to schedule yours.
Injury Victim
What Is Considered a Hit and Run Accident in Florida?
Generally, a hit and run accident is any accident where a motor vehicle operator either fails to stop and give information, or fails to stop and render aid. This can involve a bicyclist, a pedestrian, two vehicles, multiple vehicles, or any situation where a motorist is in an accident with another entity and fails to stop. In Florida, a hit and run is a crime and is governed by Fla. Stat. § 316.061. According to this statute, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash that causes damage or injury to any person, vehicle, or property must stop and give the following information to the other persons involved, as well as a law enforcement officer:
- Name
- Address
- Vehicle Registration Number
- Driver’s License Information
Additionally under this statute, the driver must render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the crash if the need for such assistance is apparent or if he or she asks for it. Reasonable assistance includes carrying or making the arrangements for carrying the injured person to the appropriate medical facility for treatment. Under this statute, failure to stop and render aid and/or provide information according to these guidelines is a felony.
When it comes to pursuing damages for such an accident in civil court, failure to stop, and therefore committing hit and run according to this Florida law, is considered negligence. Any negligent actions the driver committed that caused the accident will also be considered in your damages case. An experienced Broward County hit and run accident injury attorney can help you determine what damages you may qualify for and the most favorable path in which to pursue them.
Common Injuries from Broward County Hit and Run Accidents
What injuries a hit and run accident victim sustains largely depends on the circumstances of the accident. If the victim was a pedestrian or a cyclist, for instance, the injuries could be different than if the victim was in a vehicle that was up to safety code at the time of the crash. Generally, though, there are some injuries that show up more frequently than others in accidents involving motor vehicles, such as a hit and run, including:
- Head injuries – such as Traumatic Brain Injury, concussion, and blunt force trauma
- Neck injuries – such as whiplash and herniated disks
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Burns
- Back injuries – to both the spine and soft tissues of the back
- Broken bones and fractures
- Nerve Damage
- Lacerations, abrasions, and road rash
When it comes to recovering compensation for things like your medical expenses, vehicular property damage, and lost wages, Florida law can be complicated. Contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney to explore your PIP and civil options for damage recovery.
Compensation (Damages) You Can Recover for a Florida Hit and Run
Florida law has various venues for recovering damages in a hit and run accident, or any other kind of motor vehicle accident. First, Personal Injury Protection insurance is supposed to be a no-fault system where you recover a certain percentage of your damages up to $10,000. However, the legislation in 2012 has potentially greatly reduced those limits or possibly created a backlash that could do away with PIP altogether.
After PIP, an individual has the ability to pursue damages from the hit and run offender in civil court. Usually, the hit and run victim can reasonably pursue the following damages in any accident:
- Emergency medical care
- Ongoing medical costs from accident injuries
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of wages
- Reduced earning potential
If the victim can prove that he or she suffered permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent injury, or significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, the following additional tort damages may be pursued under Fla. Stat. § 627.737:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience due to bodily injury
Due to the constantly-changing complications of the Florida legal landscape involving motor vehicle accidents, it is strongly recommended that you seek legal counsel with an experienced Fort Lauderdale motor vehicle accident attorney before claiming any damages from an individual or insurance company.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents in Florida
Should I Call the Police If I Have Been Involved in an Accident in Florida and the Other Vehicle Fled the Scene?
Yes. You should always call the police after any auto accident that involves an injury or even relatively minor damage, and it’s even more important after a hit and run accident.
What Should I Keep in My Car to Help If I’m in a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident?
No matter how safe of a driver you are, accidents can happen. It’s important to be prepared. Keeping the following items in your vehicle at all times can help:
– A cell phone with a camera
– Pen and paper
– Medical information card with your insurance information, notes about any allergies and conditions that may require special attention
– A list of emergency contact names and phone numbers
– A first aid kit
– Small road cones
– Emergency flares
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Broward County Hit and Run Accident Lawyer?
Different law firms use different payment systems when taking on car accident cases. At Lisa S. Levine, P.A., we work on a contingency fee basis. Our clients do not pay up front for our legal services, but rather we get paid when we recover compensation for you.
Find the Best Civil Attorney for Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Accidents – Get Help Now!
After a hit and run accident, first seek medical attention and collect and record any data on person or vehicle that hit you. As soon as possible after completing these tasks, contact an experienced car accident injury lawyer to begin the pursuit for compensation for your hit and run accident in Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Tamarac, Coral Springs, or other nearby areas.
The compassionate and knowledgeable auto accident injury attorneys of Lisa S. Levine P.A. will work with you to determine the most favorable path for you to obtain the compensation you deserve. For you free consultation on how Lisa S. Levine P.A. can help, call (954) 256-1820 today.
