How Helpful Is Hiring a Hit and Run Attorney in Orlando?

According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), almost 25 percent of all car crashes in the state are hit-and-run accidents. Getting hurt in a hit and run can be particularly traumatic and frustrating. Victims often feel powerless, with nobody to hold accountable for their damages. 

However, you are not alone. Working with an experienced hit-and-run attorney in Orlando can help you get the compensation you deserve if you got hurt in a hit and run. Our attorneys see firsthand the damage runaway drivers cause. We want to help victims rebuild their lives and can represent you in insurance negotiations or file a lawsuit against the responsible driver if they are identified. Contact us today to determine your options in a free consultation. 

What Qualifies as a Hit and Run Accident?

Hit and runs occur when a person involved in an accident flees the crash scene without providing their contact details or aiding injured accident victims. Any type of accident can potentially turn into a hit and run, such as crashing into a car in the parking garage and taking off. Hit and runs do not only occur between motor vehicles but can also involve pedestrians and cyclists. No fewer than one in five pedestrian deaths involves a hit and run. 

Why Do Hit and Runs Happen?

Drivers generally leave an accident scene to avoid conflict with the law. Common reasons why drivers flee an accident scene include:

• Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
• Driving without a license or with a suspended license
• Having previous traffic offenses

Florida State Law and Hit and Runs

According to Florida Statute 316.061, leaving the scene of a traffic accident is a criminal offense. Drivers involved in a collision must stop the vehicle and remain at the accident scene until they provide the following basic information to the other parties:

• Contact details
• Driver’s license information
• Car registration 

If the accident involved injuries, a driver has additional responsibilities under Florida law. They must help any injured persons at the crash scene, call 911 for emergency medical assistance, and, if possible, offer first aid. Failure to stay at the scene, provide contact details, and help injured accident victims could result in a criminal conviction.

Your Next Best Steps After a Hit and Run

Getting hurt in a hit and run can happen to all of us. The Automobile Association of America (AAA) says that one hit-and-run accident happens every 43 seconds in the US. Knowing what to do can protect your legal rights and help with recovering compensation. Your best steps if you are involved in a hit and run include:

Call 911 for Law Enforcement and Medical Assistance

The sooner you contact law enforcement, the sooner they can start tracking down the runaway driver. If there are any injured persons, request medical assistance when dialing 911.

Collect as Much Information as Possible

If you can, get a picture of the following or make notes of what you remember:

• The fleeing driver
• The license plate
• The color, make, and model of the car 
• The direction the driver was headed in after the crash

Ensure to take pictures of your car damage and your injuries, and ask witnesses to provide their contact details.

Get Medical Assistance 

If you refused medical assistance at the accident scene, consider getting a medical check-up in the days following the accident. This can be particularly important if you notice signs pointing to an injury, such as headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, or others. Some injuries have a delayed onset, and getting diagnosed and treated promptly can aid your recovery. 

You will also need evidence of your injuries for an insurance claim or lawsuit. If you wait for weeks before seeing a doctor, your insurer could refuse a payout and allege that your injuries are unrelated to the crash.  

Contact an Orlando Hit and Run Attorney

Contacting a car accident lawyer can be a good idea, particularly if you suffer significant injuries and car damage. Our experienced and committed attorneys can help you with your claim and ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance company responsible for settling your claim.

What Not to Do After a Hit and Run

It is normal to feel angry and frustrated after a hit-and-run crash. A first impulse can be to get in your car and try to follow the runaway driver. However, do not be tempted to chase them. You must stay at the accident scene until police arrive or risk becoming a fleeing driver yourself in the eyes of law enforcement. You could also put your life and the lives of others in danger when chasing after a fleeing driver. 

Importantly, do not forget to contact the police and your insurance company immediately after an accident. Making an accident report as soon as possible can help law enforcement pursue and identify a fleeing driver.

Hit and Run Accident Compensation

Most victims of hit-and-run crashes in Orlando will file a claim with their own insurance company. However, sometimes, law enforcement manages to track down the responsible driver. You could then file a claim with their insurance company or hold them personally to account for your losses. The compensation you could qualify for in a hit and run accident claim includes:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Loss of life quality
• Permanent disability
• Modification of your vehicle and home

Depending on the nature of your injuries and the extent of your losses, you could also receive other compensation. Punitive damages are generally rare in personal injury cases. However, courts are more likely to award punitive damages in hit-and-run cases due to the reckless and malicious nature of such offenses.  

How an Orlando Hit and Run Lawyer Can Help 

Going it alone can be stressful, and you could leave money on the table if an insurer is dragging its heels. Our car accident lawyers can represent you effectively and handle all aspects of your case while you are healing from your injuries. We can:

Walk You Through Your Legal Options

Hit-and-run accidents can be complex. The fleeing driver may not be the only party responsible for your accident. Our determined attorneys and legal team members can analyze your crash fully and identify all potentially liable parties. We can determine your options, including filing a lawsuit, for pursuing the compensation you deserve. 

Build Your Case

You may have trouble getting what you deserve from an insurance company or the responsible driver, providing they are identified. We can gather evidence proving that someone else was responsible for your accident, including police reports, traffic camera footage, medical reports, and other materials.  

Dealing With Insurance Companies 

In hit-and-run collisions, most victims file a claim with their own insurance company. We can effectively negotiate with insurance companies and adjusters to help you receive a fair settlement for your damages. Having an experienced attorney by your side shows the insurer that you are determined to get your due. Our attorneys are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and do not shy away from going to trial to prevent victims from getting short-changed.  

Handling Your Lawsuit

You may be able to file a lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of your accident. For example, law enforcement may locate the responsible driver, or you might have to take an insurer to court to recover an adequate settlement. This is when hiring a hit-and-run attorney in Orlando can be crucial for your case and recovery. Our seasoned attorneys fight for the injured every day. They can work tirelessly for your best interests and the best possible outcome of your case so you can move forward with your life.