After experiencing an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver, you might feel hopeless when it comes to seeking compensation. However, our Naples hit-and-run accident lawyers can work to find a solution.
We can file a no-fault insurance claim and investigate the case to hold a negligent driver accountable. Let us track down ways to obtain payment for your bills and lost income. You relax and heal.
How to Obtain Compensation After a Naples Hit-and-Run Collision
We recognize the challenge of pursuing damages after a hit-and-run accident, but we are willing to take on that challenge if it means obtaining closure and compensation.
Possible recoverable damages are:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost salary, wages, and other income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Changed quality of life
- Diminished earning ability
Your insurance coverage, injuries’ severity, and specific experience can impact what you can recover. With our Naples car accideny law team working for you, you can trust that we’ll fight for everything you’re owed.
Let Us Review Your Insurance Coverage Options
If you were injured in Naples by a hit-and-run driver, our accident attorneys can navigate Florida’s fault laws. Drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which can pay for basic crash expenses regardless of fault. This can be especially helpful when the driver flees the scene.
However, the minimum required coverage is $10,000 — potentially insufficient for serious injuries. For instance, the cost of three days of hospital care averages about three times that amount, according to Healthcare.gov. Fortunately, Florida allows victims with serious injuries to take steps to receive extra compensation from the liable party (Florida Statutes § 627.737). That includes pain and suffering.
If the at-fault driver is never found, we can still explore other options for compensation through your insurance and other possible liable parties. For instance, poor road maintenance may have contributed to the crash, allowing you to recoup costs from a government agency. Either way, our team is dedicated to getting damages to support you after being injured.
Make Sure You Report the Crash
You may feel like the accident was minor and not worth the effort of filing a claim, but don’t neglect to report the accident to the authorities and your insurance company.
Even minor crashes can have physical and financial consequences. For instance, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has found that low-speed rear-end collisions can cause high-speed head acceleration, causing whiplash. Cleveland Clinic also highlights that the speed of a crash has no bearing on whiplash severity. Because whiplash and other injuries can have a delayed onset, don’t assume your crash isn’t worth reporting.
Furthermore, notifying authorities can:
- Help preserve evidence
- Establish the accident’s existence
- Showcase your integrity
- Protect your right to damages
Even if the other party leaves the scene, get evaluated by a medical professional, notify the police, and call your insurance company.
How a Car Accident Lawyer from Our Team Will Serve You
In addition to working with Florida’s insurance laws, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offer compassionate, practical support throughout your case. We even make everyday challenges easier by helping schedule appointments. At the same time, we are tough on those who try to undervalue or underestimate your case.
Come to us with questions like:
- What are the steps to take after a hit-and-run accident?
- What do I say to an insurance adjuster after a crash?
- What is my case worth?
- What deadlines do I need to keep in mind?
- What do these insurance settlement terms mean?
- How can I receive pain and suffering?
- What are Florida’s laws, and how do they apply to me?
- What if an insurance company is undervaluing my claim?
- How do I obtain evidence for a claim or lawsuit?
We will help by keeping track of deadlines, handling negotiations, drafting your insurance statement, and compiling evidence. We also ensure you understand every bit of paperwork involved in your case. We don’t just address your questions; we make the answers a reality.
We Will Manage Everything Your Claim or Lawsuit Requires
Almost a quarter of all Florida crashes are hit-and-run accidents, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). To combat their prevalence, Florida enacted penalties to punish fleeing drivers (Florida Statutes § 316.027).
Consequently, in your accident, there may be a criminal case if the driver is caught. However, their criminal charges are separate from your civil case. A personal injury lawsuit can help recover specific damages, as well as compensate you for the pain, distress, and inconvenience of experiencing a hit and run.
A hit-and-run lawyer from our team serving Naples can explain how your civil case will work and determine the deadline for filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is typically four years, but you may have longer if the police take time to locate the culprit (Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a)).
Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Happen and What That Means for You
Drivers may flee the scene for several reasons, but some common motivations include:
- A lack of insurance
- Impaired driving
- An existing criminal record
In fact, Florida ranks sixth in the country for uninsured motorists, with over 20 percent of drivers lacking insurance coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Even with no-fault laws, fleeing drivers may believe they will be held liable for injuries and damages.
Former traffic or criminal violations, as well as drunk or drugged driving, can influence a driver’s decision to leave the site of a crash. Some may not even know they have caused an accident until later.
We can use evidence to highlight both the driver’s negligence that caused the crash (such as drunk driving) and their additional crime of fleeing the scene. Even without insurance coverage, we can recover damages from a negligent driver by filing a lawsuit. The driver’s assets could be used to pay for your losses.
Benefit from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine’s Years of Experience
Receive a free consultation today to learn more about pursuing a hit-and-run accident claim or lawsuit in Naples with the help of our lawyers. Get in touch with our office now to explore your options.
We Can Help.
