Hit and Run Accidents

At Bernheim, Kelley, Battista LLC, we have a team of attorneys with decades of experience helping victims of all kinds of car accidents, including hit-and-runs. A hit-and-run accident can create a lot of uncertainty and anxiety, which is why we are dedicated to helping the victims of such accidents. Get in touch with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to learn how we can help you.

What is a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident is a collision where the driver who caused the accident leaves the scene without providing their contact information to the other driver or waiting for a police officer to arrive. In Florida, you must file a police report after every accident that involves bodily injuries or at least $500 in property damage.

Facts About Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents are not the most common cause of collisions, but they can be very destructive. A disproportionate number of hit-and-run accidents involve alcohol or drugs, and therefore egregious driver errors like high speeds or driving into oncoming traffic.

Hit-and-run accidents tend not to take place in heavy traffic during rush hour, where broadside collisions most commonly occur. They are more common at night and in isolated areas.

People flee the scene of accidents because they are afraid. Many hit-and-run drivers have suspended licenses, are under the influence of drugs, or have some other reason to fear an encounter with the police.

What Should You Do if the Other Driver Flees the Scene?

The aftermath of a hit-and-run accident can be confusing and overwhelming at first, but once you regain your composure, there are steps you can take that can help your case. 

• Gather as much information as you can about the fleeing driver that can help the authorities find them. Note the color, make, and model of the vehicle and distinctive details like tinted windows or decals, if possible.
• Call the police – the sooner you call, the better. As soon as you call, the police will start looking for the at-fault driver.
• Take pictures of the accident scene and the damage done to your vehicle. Pictures of the accident scene and the damage done to your vehicle can be analyzed by experts to prove that someone else was responsible for causing the accident. 
• Get medical treatment. Getting examined immediately can reduce the severity of your injuries and provide valuable evidence.
• Call your insurance company and tell them about the accident. Call them as early as possible and file a claim.

Contact a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help resolve disputes with your insurance.

What Should You Do if You Hit an Unoccupied Vehicle?

If you hit an unoccupied vehicle, leave a note on the windshield with your contact information. Then call the police and report the accident.

To learn more, schedule a free consultation with us today.

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What Should You Do if You Hit a Pedestrian?

If you hit a pedestrian, assure the pedestrian that you will seek help for them. Then call 911 and stay at the scene until the ambulance and the police arrive.

Show the police your driver’s license and answer questions truthfully but briefly. If an officer asks you a question where answering truthfully could lead to criminal charges against you (such as “Is this car stolen?”), plead the Fifth Amendment.

It is possible to get criminal charges for accidentally injuring a pedestrian, but the fact that you stayed at the scene and cooperated counts in your favor. Furthermore, the pedestrian has a better chance of a faster and more complete recovery because you called an ambulance promptly.

Criminal Penalties for Hit-and-Run

You can get criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injuries or fatalities. Drivers who cause hit-and-run accidents might also be charged with other offenses, such as DUI, illegal possession of a weapon, or violating probation.

In other words, if you flee the scene of an accident, you will attract the attention of the police. If you are worried about getting criminal charges, contact a criminal defense lawyer.

Even if the hit-and-run driver does not get criminal charges, the injured person can still recover damages with the help of a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer.

Hit-and-Run Accidents in Parking Lots

Parking lots are abundant in South Florida. They are also a common location for hit-and-run accidents.

If someone hits your parked car and drives off, ask the security guards if surveillance camera footage recorded the incident.

Hit-and-Run Accident Insurance Claims

Since you cannot file a claim with the insurance company of a driver who is not there, you will have to get compensation from your own insurance company. However, they may be reluctant to provide it. An attorney can help to gather the necessary evidence. If the insurance company denies your claim or offers a settlement that is too low, then an attorney can help you to file a lawsuit against the company.

Do You Have to Pay Your Deductible for a Hit-and-Run Claim?

You must pay your deductible if you file an insurance claim for a hit-and-run accident. This is because it is not possible to locate the at-fault driver. You do not have to worry about how to dispute a car accident fault. Everyone knows that the hit-and-run driver is at fault, but the at-fault driver cannot be found.

Paying the deductible is usually the best option. It is pointless to daydream about how much can someone sue for a car accident when you do not even know the name of the person you would sue.

If the insurance company gives you trouble with your insurance claim, this is when to get an attorney for a car accident.

Contact BK Law About Hit-and-Run Accidents

It can be devastating to be injured in a car accident. Having the at-fault driver drive away from the scene of the crash just adds insult to injury. The compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers at BK Law can help you after a hit-and-run accident. We can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and much more. Contact BK Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to schedule a consultation today.