Delray Beach Hit & Run Accident Lawyer
Causing a car accident through negligence is bad. Leaving the scene without stopping to see if there is anyone hurt is worse. For one thing, it is a criminal offense under Florida law. More to the point, it leaves the accident’s victims in limbo, not knowing who they can hold accountable for their injuries, property damage, and other losses.
The Delray Beach hit & run accident lawyers at Steinberg Law can advise you in these situations. We represent victims of car accidents caused by reckless drivers who fled the scene, often because they feared the potential civil and criminal consequences of their actions. Our team can guide you through the process of seeking compensation even when the negligent driver is never found.
Can I Still Get Compensation for a Hit and Run?
Unfortunately, in many hit and run accidents the police are not able to locate the offending driver who left the scene. Fortunately, that usually does not mean the hit and run victims are without options for seeking compensation. If the victim was covered by their own auto insurance policy they can still receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from their own insurer.
Keep in mind, Florida’s auto insurance rules are “no fault.” So even in an accident where the other driver is known and admits fault, you still need to turn to your own PIP coverage first for benefits. Only if you sustain a “serious injury,” as defined by Florida law, can you file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver to seek additional compensation.
Or, in the case of a hit and run, your own insurer may again be financially responsible for your losses. If you purchased optional uninsured motorist (UM) coverage for bodily injury, then your insurance company essentially “steps into the shoes” of the hit and run driver and assumes financial responsibility for their negligence. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek the full amount of damages for your accident-related losses, including:
- Economic Damages — Your past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, costs of therapy and rehabilitation, and any other out-of-pocket expenses you incurred as a result of the hit and run accident.
- Non-Economic Damages — Your pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological trauma arising from the hit and run accident.
In addition to any compensation you might receive in a personal injury claim against your UM carrier, you may also be entitled to benefits under your personal health insurance policy, as well as any collision coverage you have to pay for property damage to your vehicle.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
A hit and run accident is often a scary affair. You may spend weeks or months wondering who hit you. Even if that question is never answered, however, you can still find some measure of comfort in seeking financial compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Contact the Delray Beach hit and run accident lawyers at Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
