Being in a car, motorcycle, or bicycle accident is difficult enough, but it can be devastating if the person who caused it leaves the scene. You may not be certain of your rights or what you can do to get justice.
If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident in Destin, FL, it’s vital that you turn to an experienced attorney for help. Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys has recovered millions of dollars for our clients and can get to work on your case as soon as you’re ready.
Contact our trusted Destin hit-and-run accident lawyers today at (850) 842-2573 for a free consultation.
How Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Destin, FL
A hit-and-run accident can leave you with serious injuries, property damage, and many other losses. You don’t need to go through this on your own. By turning to Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys, you can get the help you need to heal from your losses.
We provide the following to every client:
- Full case assessment
- Evidence-gathering services
- Experience negotiating with insurance companies
- Litigation skills if your case needs to go to court
We have over 60 years of combined experience helping the people of Destin, Florida, and we can help you, too. Don’t wait. If you’ve been in a hit-and-run crash, reach out to our Destin car accident attorneys for a free case review.
Understanding Hit-And-Run Accidents in Florida
Hit-and-run accidents are, unfortunately, common. Each year, there are approximately 104,273 hit-and-runs in Florida, resulting in an average of 271 fatalities.
The people who are most at risk of severe injuries are the more vulnerable users of roads, including cyclists and pedestrians. However, anyone who gets into a hit-and-run accident can face all manner of injuries and property damage.
Florida has strict penalties in place for these kinds of accidents. The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison for any driver convicted of leaving the scene of a car accident if that accident caused fatalities, and there are substantial fines and other penalties as well.
What if you can’t find the person? It’s important to know that Florida has a no-fault system in place that allows you to collect compensation from your own insurance company. You can receive coverage up to the limit of your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. You may also be able to pursue a claim from your uninsured motorist insurance.
If law enforcement does find the person who caused the accident and fled, you may be able to file a claim against their insurance if you meet the serious injury threshold (or if another exception to the no-fault rules applies). Usually, this means that you sustained:
- Serious scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent injuries
- Permanent loss of a vital bodily function
Family members can also pursue a claim if the plaintiff died as a result of the accident. You can also file a lawsuit with the at-fault person.
In the lawsuit, you have to prove that the person was negligent. This means showing that they had a duty of care toward you and that they breached it. You then have to demonstrate that their actions led directly to your injuries and that you can be compensated for those losses.
Florida law, when it comes to hit-and-run accidents, can be highly complex, which is why you have to rely on experienced car accident lawyers for help.
Steps To Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident
The first thing that you have to do is assess yourself for injuries. If your head is bleeding or if you feel pain, don’t try to move. Call for medical assistance instead. When help gets there, make sure to let them check you for injuries. Many times, the adrenaline surge that an accident causes can mask pain.
You then need to call the police so you can make a report. This is essential since it leaves a record for your insurance company to get, as well as provides documentation for the lawyer you hire later on.
If you’re well enough to do so, take pictures of the accident, including the road, your car, and your injuries. Look for eyewitnesses, too, and gather their information or their accounts of what happened.
The next thing you need to do is to contact a lawyer with experience in these kinds of accidents. They will start dealing with the insurance companies involved so that you can focus on healing.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Destin Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers
After being in a hit-and-run accident, don’t wait. The sooner you reach out to a car accident lawyer with experience, the better your chances are of getting the kind of compensation you need to cover medical bills and other losses.
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help you through this difficult time. Contact our Destin hit-and-run accident lawyers today.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Destin, FL
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
4507 Furling Ln #214, Destin, FL 32541
(850) 842-2573
