The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that nearly one-quarter of all car crashes in Florida are hit and run accidents. While drivers are legally required to stay at the scene of an accident and fleeing is a criminal offense, some people leave out of fear, shock, or an attempt to avoid responsibility.
If you or your loved ones suffered injury or property damage in a hit and run accident, the St. Petersburg hit and run accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to help you recover compensation. Our team can attempt to find the hit and run driver, investigate the accident, file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit for you, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call (844) 730-0233 today to schedule a free consultation with the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. You can afford legal representation with our contingency fee model, and we receive payment if you win your settlement or lawsuit.
Hit and Run Accidents
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a hit and run accident happens somewhere in the United States every 43 seconds. Any accident in which the responsible driver flees the scene instead of staying, providing their contact and insurance information, or making a police report is a hit and run accident.
Hit and run accidents can be anything from ignoring a simple scratch that happens in a parking lot to speeding away after a fender bender to fleeing a major accident on foot. Hitting a pedestrian or bicyclist and fleeing or causing an accident without actually colliding into another car are also instances of hit and runs. When the responsible driver fails to stay after a car accident, it can be difficult to recover the costs of any injuries or property damage you suffer in the accident.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accidents lawyer serving St.Petersburg, call (844) 730-0233
Recovering Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
There are a couple of ways you may recover payment for your losses after a hit and run car accident:
- File a claim with your auto insurance. Although you most likely do not have the other driver’s insurance information, you may recover costs by filing a claim with your own insurance company. All Florida drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which should pay for at least some of your medical bills, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, this policy may also help. If you have trouble recovering funds from your insurance company, an attorney can help you determine your insurance provider’s responsibility, negotiate with them, or file a lawsuit if necessary.
- File a personal injury lawsuit. If the responsible driver is identified after the hit and run accident, you could recover compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against them. An attorney can investigate the accident to help discover the other driver and file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Even if you, the police, or your lawyer can locate the hit and run driver after the accident, you will still need to show that they were at fault for the accident to receive compensation. Florida follows a comparative negligence law in determining liability, as outlined in Florida Statute § 768.81. Even if you hold some blame for the accident, you may be able to get a reduced award.
The St. Petersburg hit and run accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to help you. Our team can try to find the hit and run driver, negotiate with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit on your behalf. We will do everything we can to represent your interests and earn you a fair settlement for your losses. While recovering the costs of a hit and run accident can be challenging, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is willing to take on tough cases.
St.Petersburg Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Time Limit for Civil Lawsuits
Almost all types of lawsuits are subject to a statute of limitations, which is the period of time that you are allowed to take legal action for certain offenses. Florida Statute § 95.11 states that the statute of limitations for personal injury cases and wrongful death cases in Florida is four and two years, respectively.
There are rare exceptions to statutes of limitation but should act quickly if you are dealing with any damages from your hit and run injury in St. Petersburg, or if your loved one died.
Click to contact our St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyers today
Types of Recoverable Damages
The possible losses you could recover through a personal injury lawsuit for a hit and run accident include:
- Both current and future medical expenses, such as ambulance fees, surgical costs, hospital stays, prescription medications, and assistive devices
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Pursuing damages after a car accident is about more than just getting financial help. You should not have to suffer the further injury of a financial burden after something that was not your fault. Receiving an award could also help you to gain closure, punish the responsible party, and even prevent more accidents in the future by holding the negligent driver accountable for their actions.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
The Team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Is Here to Help You
The St. Petersburg hit and run accident lawyer and the rest of the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, will represent your interests after a hit and run accident. To try to recover compensation for you, our team could:
- Obtain and review police records and medical records
- Gather video surveillance, photos, eyewitness statements, and other evidence
- Investigate who the hit and run driver was
- Review your insurance policy
- Negotiate with insurance providers
- File a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf
- Identify what compensation you could recover
- Manage all necessary communication and documentation
Finally, we will do our best to negotiate a fair settlement so you can receive compensation for your losses. Since we operate on contingency, our team receives payment if you win. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 today to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
