Orlando Hit and Run Attorney

Protecting Florida Clients After Car Accidents

Car accidents are challenging enough to navigate on their own, but things can get even more complex when the at-fault driver responsible for your accident and injuries drives off without providing their information or making sure you’re okay. It’s natural to feel concerned about your health and future after a hit and run, but NeJame Law is available to handle your injury claim and collect the compensation you’re entitled to, even when the driver can’t be found. Our Orlando hit and run accident attorneys are known throughout Florida for our legal success and commitment to fighting for our clients.

Contact us by filling out our form online or call (407) 500-0000 to schedule a consultation.

What Is a Hit and Run Crash?

A hit and run occurs when one or more drivers involved in an auto accident flee the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal traffic violation and under Florida law, individuals are required to provide their information to the other party after an accident, including name, address, car registration, and driver’s license. Involved parties are also required to stop if there is any property damage, and drivers have an additional responsibility to seek medical attention if someone else was injured in the accident.

There are a variety of reasons why the driver who injured you may have fled the scene of the accident. Some possible reasons include:

• The driver is wanted for some other crime or has a criminal record
• The driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and doesn’t want to be charged with a DUI
• The driver isn’t permitted to drive, whether they lack a license or had their license suspended/revoked
• The driver is driving a vehicle without permission, or it’s stolen
• The driver is transporting illegal drugs or goods

Hit and Run Penalties Under Florida Law

Some of the penalties a driver can face if they’re caught in a hit and run accident include probation, driver’s license suspension, and heavy fines, depending on whether the offense is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Leaving the scene of an accident when property damage occurred typically results in a misdemeanor, while fleeing after injuries or deaths occurred is a felony.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

You may be in a daze in the aftermath of your car accident, but it’s crucial that you follow certain steps if you wish to get the help you need and increase your chances of finding the driver and/or obtaining compensation. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this difficult time or to save for a rainy day if you ever find yourself involved in a hit and run motor vehicle accident.

If you can do so, safely pull over. If you, your passengers, or anyone involved is injured, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Although it might be difficult due to the circumstances, try to gather as much information as possible, including:

• License plate number of the vehicle
• Make, model, and color of the vehicle
• Damage to the other vehicle
• Description of the driver
• Description and number of any passengers in the vehicle
• Location and Direction in which the vehicle was traveling
• Names and contact information of witnesses (really important)
• Call our car accident attorneys as soon as possible

It’s important that you don’t pursue the fleeing driver, as it’s both illegal and unsafe to flee the scene of an accident that you were involved in. If you can do so safely, pull over. If you, your passengers, or anyone involved is injured, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.

Once law enforcement arrives at the scene, share all the information with the responding officer in order to help locate the vehicle, the vehicle owner, or the driver. Provide as much of the above information as possible to help law enforcement investigate and locate the at-fault party. Politely ask for a copy of the crash report. Using the contact information on the crash report, follow up with the investigating law enforcement agency and ask if the at-fault party has been located.

Why Call Us?

After a hit and run accident, you may be concerned that you have no way of covering your damages without the driver’s insurance information. Fortunately, Florida requires all drivers to have personal injury protection coverage. If you have coverage, your insurance company may be able to cover up to 80 percent of your medical expenses and 60 percent of your lost wages.

Our personal injury lawyers can help you access your current insurance policy to determine how much coverage you may be able to obtain—you may have additional coverage under uninsured motorist protection coverage, for example.

If the at-fault driver can’t be found, you can still recover compensation for your bills, property damages, and lost income, and surviving family members can get compensated for funeral expenses and more through a wrongful death claim. Our team has ample experience handling car accident claims, including those involvinghit and run accidents.

Call (407) 500-0000 to speak with one of our experienced Orlando hit and run accident lawyers if you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident. We’re happy to follow up directly with the investigating agency on your behalf and use our resources to further investigate your case.