When you suffer injuries in a car accident, you may be uncertain about where to turn for help. You likely are incurring many expenses, including significant medical bills, that you need help paying.
If the driver responsible for causing your accident flees the scene, you may be concerned that you will be unable to seek compensation from the driver for your injuries. In this situation, a Cape Coral car accident lawyer can help.
Getting assistance from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can yield a positive outcome for your case. We know the various ways you might be able to seek compensation for your losses following a hit and run accident. Call us today and learn more.
Why Personal Injury Protection Matters in a Florida Hit and Run Accident
Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, Florida drivers must carry minimum levels of Personal Injury Protection or PIP insurance coverage. Since Florida is a no-fault insurance state, you do not have to prove that the unknown driver was at fault, which can be challenging if you cannot locate the driver.
You could file a claim with your insurance company to get coverage for your losses when you fall victim to a hit and run accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Many drivers carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of their motor vehicle insurance policies. While this coverage is not required under state law, many motorists opt to include it when they purchase insurance. If you have this coverage, you may be able to seek compensation through your insurance policy if your PIP policy is insufficient to cover all your medical costs.
Although you might assume your insurance company is on your side, insurance companies often are reluctant to pay the full value of uninsured motorist claims. Despite the fact that you have purchased this coverage from them, insurance companies still try to safeguard their profits by paying as little as possible on claims or denying them altogether.
Your insurance company might accuse you of filing a fraudulent claim if you cannot identify the driver who caused your accident. In this type of scenario, a Cape Coral personal injury lawyer can assist you in filing your claim and getting compensation for your losses from the hit and run accident.
Holding Third Parties Responsible for Your Losses
In some types of hit and run accidents, third parties other than the driver who fled the scene may be fully or partially liable for the accident.
For instance, if a poorly maintained road, a traffic sign hidden by overgrown shrubbery, or a road hazard not marked by a roadway maintenance crew contributed to your accident, you also may have a claim against the appropriate government entity.
In many cases, you have a shorter time to pursue claims against government entities, so prompt legal action could be of the utmost importance to your claim.
To learn how the lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you after a hit and run accident, call us.
Steps to Take Following a Hit and Run Accident
Almost 25% of all traffic accidents involve a hit and run driver, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Although this kind of accident is common, you may be unsure about what to do first if you are involved in one. Getting medical attention after a car accident in which you have been injured should always be your priority. You also should give any information to police that can help them identify the driver who caused your accident and then left the scene.
Any details about the driver, his or her passengers, or the vehicle that they were driving at the time of the accident may be useful to police in their investigation. Likewise, if there are other witnesses at the scene, you should identify them if they have information about the driver who caused the accident.
Technological advances can help your legal team track down the at-fault driver. For instance, footage from surveillance cameras at nearby businesses may help identify the hit and run driver. Social media posts also may contribute to identifying the driver.
State law requires drivers to take responsibility when they are involved in accidents and remain present at the scene of the accident until police arrive. If police can determine the identity of the hit and run driver, you may be able to make a claim against any insurance policies that the driver had in place at the time of the accident.
Contact Us Today to Learn More Following a Hit and Run Accident
After a hit and run accident, you may be confused, overwhelmed, and wondering if you are going to have to be solely responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and damages to your vehicle. Fortunately, you may have various options of relief following your hit and run accident.
You can count on a Cape Coral hit and run accident lawyer today to address your concerns, answer your questions, and work to get you compensation for your losses.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine regularly handles car accident claims, including those that stem from hit and run accidents. We can present your options and guide you through the process of whichever path you choose. Call our offices and get the information that you want following a hit and run accident.
We Can Help.
