If you or a loved one were in a hit-and-run car accident, you might have been left with serious injuries and other damages. Plus, we understand that the aftermath of a crash can be traumatic and expensive. Our firm could help you recover damages and help you throughout the legal process.
One of our lawyers will negotiate with your insurance company for financial compensation or sue the negligent driver for economic and non-economic damages. We’ll discuss working with your Tampa car accident lawyer during a free consultation.
Injuries You Can Suffer in a Hit-and-Run
You may suffer from various injuries when struck by a vehicle and left at the crash scene. The most common accident injuries you can suffer are:
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can result in permanent paralysis or loss of mobility.
- Chest injuries: Injuries to this area can range from minor to severe, including fractures to the ribcage and trauma to the lungs and internal organs.
- Neck injuries: When you suffer a neck injury, you may have trouble turning your head and performing everyday activities.
- Soft tissue injuries: Suffering an injury to soft tissue such as tendons or ligaments can be painful and lead to permanent injury.
- Broken bones: When a bone breaks, you may be unable to move for a long time, and if it doesn’t heal properly, it could lead to other medical issues.
- Internal bleeding: This injury occurs when blood vessels inside the body are damaged, and blood leaks into the surrounding tissue.
If you’ve suffered injuries after a hit-and-run collision, you should go to the hospital immediately for medical treatment. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, don’t show symptoms until later. The hit-and-run driver can face criminal charges for the harm they caused.
Does Insurance Cover Hit-And-Runs in Florida?
Florida Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and property damage liability (PDL) insurance cover hit-and-run accidents, but they don’t compensate for all of a claimant’s damages.
For instance, if you filed claims through these insurances, you’d receive compensation for your medical, vehicle repair bills, and other financial damages. But you wouldn’t be compensated for any other damages.
However, a Tampa car accident lawyer from our firm is ready to file your claims and negotiate with insurers for your other damages. Your lawyer could recover additional financial damages and non-financial damages.
How Does Your Team Deal With the Insurance Company?
At our Tampa hit-and-run car accident law firm, we understand dealing with the insurance company can be difficult and stressful. That’s why we have a team of experienced attorneys dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Our team will work closely with you to ensure that your needs are met and your rights are protected throughout the process. We know insurance adjusters’ tactics to devalue accident victims’ settlements, and we won’t let them devalue yours.
We’re ready to show solid evidence of the at-fault party’s wrongdoing to get you a fair settlement. When you work with our team, you don’t have to worry about anything besides healing from your injuries.
Can I Sue for a Hit-And-Run in Florida?
A hit-and-run crash is especially serious so that a claimant could sue the other party in their case. If you’ve suffered injuries, the at-fault driver has committed a third-degree felony and can face jail time. However, you have to show that your damages are especially serious.
The first step you should take is to file an accident claim against the at-fault driver. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you only have two years to file a claim against the negligent party. If you don’t file within this time, you’ll lose the ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
If your damages are serious and you want to sue the other driver, your lawyer can show a judge how serious your damages are. Your lawyer can also litigate your case and may even be able to negotiate with the judge for all of your financial and non-financial damages.
What Damages Can I Get for a Tampa Hit-And-Run Car Accident?
If your lawyer files your insurance claims and negotiates with your insurers for you, or if they sue the other driver, you could be eligible to recover damages such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental suffering
- Emotional trauma
- The costs of all of your medical needs
- The cost of any post-medical care you need
- The cost of the repair or replacement of your vehicle
- The costs of any other property that needs repair or replacement
- Your lost income
- Any loss in your income-earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
If you’ve been injured in a Tampa hit-and-run car accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a family member in a hit-and-run crash, your lawyer could collect wrongful death damages for your family. You could receive compensation for losses such as:
- Loss of spousal love
- Loss of parental love
- Lost income for your family
- Funeral costs
Consult an experienced Tampa hit-and-run car accident lawyer to determine the best course for recovering fair compensation.
Determining Whether You’re Eligible for Punitive Damages
You may also be eligible for punitive damages if you were injured in a hit-and-run car accident. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar conduct in the future.
You must prove that the other driver acted intentionally or with gross negligence to receive punitive damages.
While this damage isn’t common in most Florida car crashes, you could receive it following a hit-and-run. The action of leaving the scene is grossly negligent and illegal. The at-fault driver disregarded your safety because you could have suffered fatal injuries if you were injured and couldn’t call for help.
Also, when a driver leaves the scene of a hit-and-run accident, you’re unlikely to get a good look at their license plate.
Without this information, identifying the negligent driver will be more difficult to contact and negotiate a settlement with their insurance company. By doing so, they’ve skipped an essential part of the legal process.
What Can I Expect From My Tampa Hit-And-Run Car Accident Lawyer?
Your lawyer will manage your case and provide non-legal services so you can focus on other matters. For instance, your lawyer will get to work:
Establishing the Value of Your Case
One of the first things your lawyer will do is help you establish all the damages in your case. Next, your lawyer will establish the value of those damages.
To do this, your lawyer must attribute financial value to your non-financial damages, such as the pain you’ve been experiencing. Some damages will hold a higher value, increasing your settlement amount.
Establishing Liability in Your Case
Either your insurers or the other driver is liable for your damages. However, you and your personal injury lawyer may have to prove it. To do this, your lawyer must show evidence, including:
- The police report
- Traffic camera footage of the crash
- Testimony from an accident reconstructionist
Your lawyer may also need to show precisely why the other driver was negligent. This requires showing how the driver owed you a duty of care and breached the duty. It also requires showing proof of your damages.
Negotiating a Settlement or Verdict
An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process and secure fair compensation for your damages.
Your accident lawyer may first attempt to negotiate a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company, using the threat of a lawsuit as leverage if necessary.
If they cannot settle, your attorney will guide you through the litigation process and work to secure a favorable verdict in court.
Assisting You in Additional Ways
The attorneys from our firm go beyond their client’s expectations. For example, your attorney could schedule your appointments for you and even refer you to an expert who can repair your car for you.
We can also help you get the medical care you may need. We have a wide network of health professionals we can refer you to.
Why Our Florida Lawyers Stand Out From the Rest
Our firm’s lawyers play a major role in the Florida community. For example, we protect the community by pursuing legal action against negligent drivers and meeting the needs of safe drivers like you.
You can be sure one of our lawyers will do everything they can to meet your needs, including a need for justice in your hit-and-run case. You’ll be able to rely on your accident lawyer to fight for you.
Also, we understand your immediate financial needs are important, so you can expect your hit-and-run attorney to work for you on a contingency-fee basis. You won’t have to pay your lawyer unless you win a settlement.
Contact Us for Your Hit-And-Run Car Accident Lawyer in Tampa
Your or your loved one’s recent experience may have left you with trauma and serious physical injuries. However, our firm could recover monetary damages by suing the person who struck you.
When you meet with us, we can tell you more about working with your hit-and-run car accident attorney in Tampa.
If you’re ready to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries, contact our lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free legal consultation.
We Can Help.
