Alafaya Hit & Run Lawyer
Hit and run accidents occur much more often than most people realize. According to the department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), for instance, as many as 25 percent of all crashes that occur in Florida involve a hit and run. While recovering compensation after a hit and run accident does come with unique difficulties, it is by no means impossible, so if you were recently involved in an accident in which the other driver fled the scene or is otherwise unknown, it is critical to speak with a dedicated Alafaya hit & run lawyer who can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Uninsured Motorists
Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Florida. However, despite the criminalization of this behavior, hit and run accidents continue to occur at an alarmingly high rate. For instance, in 2017, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the seriousness of this problem when it reported that there were more than 98,000 hit and run crashes in Florida in that year alone. This trend has primarily been attributed to the high rates of uninsured drivers on the road in Florida, with the Insurance Research Councilreporting that the number of motorists who flee the scene of an accident directly corresponds with the estimated number of uninsured drivers in Florida.
Seeking Compensation From Your Own Insurer
Fortunately, because Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, car accident victims who cannot identify the driver who struck them can still collect compensation for their injuries by filing a claim with their own insurers. The matter becomes more complicated in cases where victims only sustain property damage or exceed the terms of their own policies. In these cases, injured parties would need to look to their uninsured motorist policy to obtain reimbursement for property damage costs or any expenses that exceed the limits of their PIP policy.
Filing a Claim Against the Driver
In some cases, it is possible to identify a hit and run driver through the use of eyewitness reports, traffic camera recordings, and license plate numbers. In these situations, the injured party could file a claim directly with the hit and run driver’s insurer. If, however, that person is uninsured (which is much more likely with hit and run drivers) and the victim either exceeded his or her policy limits or sustained a serious injury, the injured party could attempt to hold the at-fault driver personally liable for damages. Unfortunately, many plaintiffs are frustrated in these attempts, as drivers who cannot afford insurance coverage often lack the personal resources to pay a monetary award.
Crime Victim Compensation
Some hit and run victims can also seek compensation from the state, which often provides benefits to victims of crime, including financial assistance for:
- Medical care;
- Lost income;
- Mental health services;
- Funeral costs; and
- Out-of-pocket expenses.
For help determining whether you qualify for one of the state’s crime victim compensation programs, please call our Alafaya legal team today.
Call or Send Us an Online Message Today
If you were injured by a hit and run driver and don’t know where to turn, please call the hit and run lawyers at Israoui Law for help. We can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 407-381-4529.
