Getting hit by a driver who flees the scene leaves you injured and uncertain about what happens next. Hit-and-run accidents create unique challenges for victims throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, but you have legal options to pursue compensation and justice.
At Winston Law, our hit-and-run attorneys represent victims throughout Fort Lauderdale and help them navigate insurance claims and legal recovery. Our personal injury lawyer team understands Broward County accident laws and maximizes compensation. Board-certified hit-and-run attorney Bradley Winston has recovered millions for injured victims.
Understanding Florida Hit-and-Run Laws
Florida Statute ยง 316.027 requires all drivers involved in accidents to stop and exchange information. Drivers must provide their name, address, registration number, and driver’s license. When injuries occur, drivers must render assistance and call emergency services.
Fleeing the scene creates criminal and civil liability. Your accident attorney can pursue both:
- Property damage hit-and-runs: Second-degree misdemeanor (60 days jail, $500 fines)
- Injury hit-and-runs: Second or third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fines)
- Serious bodily injury: Second-degree felony with enhanced penalties
- Fatal hit-and-runs: First-degree felony under Aaron Cohen Act (mandatory minimum 4-year sentence)
A skilled hit-and-run lawyer can help you understand how these criminal penalties affect your civil claim.
Immediate Steps After a Broward County Hit-and-Run
Your actions immediately after a hit-and-run significantly impact your compensation claim. Call 911 immediately and remain at the scene. Report the hit-and-run to Fort Lauderdale police, reports create official records needed for your personal injury attorney to build your case.
Gather evidence while memories are fresh:
- Photograph your vehicle damage, visible injuries, and the accident scene
- Document surrounding businesses with potential surveillance cameras
- Collect witness information from anyone who saw the collision
- Note the fleeing vehicle’s license plate, make, model, and color
This information helps police locate the driver and your personal injury lawyer pursue maximum compensation.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention immediately. Adrenaline masks injury symptoms, and conditions like whiplash and concussions often present hours later. Emergency room records linking injuries to the hit-and-run strengthen your claim. Without medical documentation, insurance companies argue your injuries came from something else.
Filing Insurance Claims for Hit-and-Run Accidents
Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. Your PIP coverage applies even in hit-and-run accidents, providing immediate payment for treatment.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage becomes critical in hit-and-run cases. UM insurance covers injuries when at-fault drivers can’t be identified or lack insurance. Broward County residents with UM coverage can pursue claims for medical expenses beyond PIP limits, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability.
You must report hit-and-runs to police within a reasonable timeframe to preserve UM coverage rights. A hit-and-run attorney files comprehensive UM claims that document injuries, prove the hit-and-run occurred, and establish damages. Many Fort Lauderdale residents assume their insurance company will treat them fairly, but insurers protect profits. Your personal injury attorney negotiates aggressively to maximize your UM settlement.
When Police Locate the Hit-and-Run Driver
Fort Lauderdale police investigate hit-and-run accidents thoroughly. They review surveillance footage, interview witnesses, trace vehicle parts, and issue alerts for suspect vehicles. When police identify drivers, your accident attorney pursues direct claims against them. You can file personal injury lawsuits seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Criminal prosecution runs separately from civil claims, drivers can face both.
Compensation Available in Broward County Cases
Your hit-and-run attorney pursues comprehensive compensation covering all losses:
- Economic damages: Medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, vehicle repairs
- Non-Economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring
- Special damages: Diminished earning capacity, disability costs, wrongful death
Hit-and-run victims suffer additional trauma beyond typical accidents. An experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney understands this trauma and fights for full recovery.
How We Handle Fort Lauderdale Hit-and-Run Cases
At Winston Law, our hit-and-run attorneys immediately investigate accidents to preserve evidence. We obtain police reports and witness statements, review surveillance footage, consult accident reconstruction professionals, and identify all available insurance coverage sources.
Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Bradley Winston focuses on hit-and-run cases and personal injury law with decades of experience. Our personal injury lawyer team has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts, including a $14 million settlement for severe injuries.
Talk to a Broward County Hit-and-Run Attorney Today
Don’t navigate hit-and-run claims alone. Insurance companies use experienced adjusters to minimize payouts; you need experienced hit-and-run attorneys fighting for you. Call us at (954) 475-9666 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our Fort Lauderdale hit-and-run accident lawyer will review your situation, explain your recovery options, and fight to maximize your compensation. You deserve justice and a full recovery.
