Hit and run accident cases are challenging due to the complexity of identifying and locating the responsible driver. If the driver who caused your bicycle accident fled the scene, you may still have legal options for compensation. A Gainesville hit and run accident lawyer can investigate your accident and decide the best course of action for your case.
If your bicycle ride unexpectedly resulted in a hit and run accident, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help. With our legal team working for you, you can concentrate on your recovery and leave everything else to us. To learn more, contact us today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case evaluation.
Why Drivers Run After an Accident
Hit and run accidents are happening more frequently than ever before. The Washington Post reports that drivers crash and flee more than 2,000 times every day.
When a vehicle hits a bicycle, it is a dangerous and stressful experience for both the driver and the bicyclist. The impact often happens so suddenly that the driver has a split-second decision to make—whether to remain at the scene or to flee. There are several reasons (or perhaps excuses) why a driver might flee, such as:
- The driver convinces themselves the bicyclist is unharmed
- The driver fears charges of driving under the influence
- The driver wants to hide due to unrelated crimes
- The driver is afraid their insurance rates will increase
The anxiety a driver feels can cause a flight type of response to the accident. Whatever the reason may be, the decision to put their needs above those of the injured party demands justice.
When the Driver Remains Missing
If the police cannot locate the driver responsible for your accident, you still have options for possible compensation. A Gainesville hit and run accident lawyer can assist you with planning the best next step for your case.
If the driver is never found, filing a claim with your own insurance company is imperative. This can help reimburse you for damages such as:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost income
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Mental anguish
Insurance companies sell policies in the hopes that their clients will never need to use them. As for-profit businesses, their goal is to protect the company’s bottom line. If your insurance company attempts to underpay, deny, or delay paying your claim, a Gainesville hit and run lawyer can help you.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we are familiar with the tactics that insurance companies use to avoid paying claims. Insurance policies are legally binding contracts that insurance companies must honor. Let us review the details of your policy and help you hold your insurance company accountable.
When the Driver Comes Forward
Some hit and run drivers develop a guilty conscience, or a family member convinces them to turn themselves in. If the driver is uninsured, your case will likely be complex. Pursuing a civil lawsuit against them may not serve as a valuable use of time unless they own valuable assets.
A Gainesville hit and run accident lawyer can review your case and investigate the driver to decide the best course of action. To learn more, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
What You Can Do to Help Your Case
Any information you remember about your accident can be helpful as your lawyer builds your case. Riding a bicycle requires remaining alert at all times. Chances are, you may have witnessed the following actions by the driver moments before your accident:
- Speeding
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Drifting to the side of the road
- Using a smartphone
- Bullying you by yelling or using their horn
The vehicle color, make, model, license plate number, or any other identifying factors may help locate the driver. Other types of useful evidence include police reports, accident scene photographs, and contact information for witnesses.
Providing your lawyer with a copy of your auto insurance policy is another way that you can help your case.
Limited Time Requires Quick Action
The sooner you take action after your hit and run accident, the better. The driver may repair damage from the accident, making it more challenging to connect them to the scene. Locating the driver as quickly as possible can prevent them from making any changes to their vehicle.
Eyewitness accounts of the accident and other factors make time of the utmost importance. Your lawyer needs to be able to contact witnesses before they forget important details about your accident.
The time following a serious bicycle accident is one of stress as you heal from your injuries. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we want you to focus on your recovery and to leave the details of your case to us.
Let the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Help You Get Justice
A bicyclist is a vulnerable road user. Your vulnerability due to a lack of protection exposes you to serious harm. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that when a crash occurs between a vehicle and a bike, it is the bicyclist who is most likely to be injured. The medical costs associated with your accident can quickly escalate and become unmanageable.
When a driver chooses to flee the scene of an accident with a bicycle, they are violating the law, specifically Florida Statutes § 316.027. If this happened to you, seek the assistance of a Gainesville hit and run accident lawyer today.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we work on a contingency basis. This means that if we fight for justice on your behalf, we collect no fee unless we secure compensation for you.
You are not alone during this stressful time. Our Gainesville hit and run accident lawyers are ready to get to work for you. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case review.
We Can Help.
