A Law Firm Fighting For Justice After Your Hit-And-Run Accident
Car accidents are daily occurrences in Florida. In most situations, these accidents result in two people stopping their vehicles, exchanging information and contacting the police. Perhaps you pulled over to do so, but the other driver took off. You may or may not have grabbed their license plate number. What do you do? What are your rights?
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident or are wondering if you have a legal case, contact us at Kaire & Heffernan, PLLC, for a free case review. We are experienced accident attorneys, and our firm has been serving the Miami area since 1997. In that time, we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of victims and their families.
What Is A Hit-And-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident is when a person does not stop after they’re involved in an accident. Florida law requires individuals operating motor vehicles to immediately stop, remain at the scene of the incident, secure medical help, contact the police and verify that everyone is OK. This also allows for parties (including the police) to determine who caused the accident and what type of damage occurred.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notes that a hit-and-run accident has severe penalties for a driver who leaves the scene of an accident. In July of 2014, the state signed into effect the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, named after a man who was struck by an alcohol-impaired driver who fled the scene. The law imposes a mandatory minimum of four years in prison if the driver flees the scene of an accident from which a party dies. Despite the changes to the law, the Florida Highway Patrol notes that the number of hit-and-run incidents is still on the rise and is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2013, there were 78,661 such incidents, and by 2016, 99,004 hit-and-runs had occurred.
If you’ve been the victim of this type of incident, then you may need an attorney to assist you in navigating the insurance process. Your auto insurance may provide you with certain coverages to help compensate you for your property damage, medical care and other damages. In addition, a skilled hit-and-run auto attorney may be able to track down the hit-and-run motorist.
Understand Your Rights And Responsibilities
As the remaining party on the scene, it is your responsibility to report the incident to the police and file a comprehensive police report documenting what occurred and when. Don’t leave the scene of the accident until you do. Then, you may be able to file a claim with your auto insurance if you have the right insurance coverage.
As the victim of this type of incident, you have the legal right to compensation for your injuries and losses. If the hit-and-run motorist was at fault, you are entitled to receive compensation for the damage to your vehicle, lost time from work, medical bills, pain and suffering, and even long-term care if you need it.
Should You Settle With An Insurance Company?
As a rule, you should almost never negotiate with insurance companies on your own. Despite the cute commercials, they are not good neighbors, and they have no interest in trying to help you. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to save the insurance company money and pay you as little as possible. Large insurance companies work to minimize claims by encouraging you to quickly sign a release of claims in exchange for a token settlement.
Instead, reach out to our attorneys, who will be able to help you in multiple ways. First, they will work with a private investigator to find the hit-and-run motorist. These days, cameras are everywhere, and that’s a good thing in hit-and-run accidents. Additionally, we can help you file claims with the appropriate insurance companies and/or file a lawsuit against the responsible party. With our assistance, you can increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation for any losses you’ve suffered as a result of a hit-and-run.
Schedule A Consultation And Discuss Your Case For Free
At Kaire & Heffernan, we know you require immediate legal help to ensure that your needs are met. We encourage you to contact us for a free consultation to discuss your needs upfront. Just call our Miami office at 305-376-7860 or submit an online contact form.