Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers Vero Beach
Vero Beach, FL
In Florida, involved drivers are required to stop at the scene of an accident. Despite this legal requirement, hit-and-run crashes are far too common in the state. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), 25% of all crashes involve a driver who flees the scene.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run, you do have options. It is often possible for us to track down the at-fault driver through an internal investigation. We can also file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage. In all cases, Gould Cooksey Fennell will advocate for you and work to protect your best interests while seeking the maximum compensation for your injuries.
At Gould Cooksey Fennell, our legal team represents people who have been hurt in car accidents, bicycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, trucking cases and other types of accidents – including those involving hit-and-run drivers. We work hard to help our clients get the money that they deserve for their losses and never charge a fee unless we get money for them. . Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with a Vero Beach hit-and-run accident attorney.
How Common Are Hit-and-Run Accidents in Florida?
In Florida, a hit-and-run includes any type of collision where a negligent driver leaves the accident scene. This includes accidents that just involve property damage as well as those where a person is injured or even killed.
In 2023 alone, there were 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida. These accidents resulted in 271 fatalities and 871 serious bodily injuries. The people who are most at risk from hit-and-runs include bicyclists and pedestrians, who make up 76% of all hit-and-run fatalities.
In Florida, drivers are obligated to stop immediately if they are involved in a collision that results in property damage, injury, or death. A person who fails to remain at the scene could be charged with a crime, ranging from a misdemeanor for property damage only to a felony for a crash that caused an injury or death. A 2014 law, the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act imposed a mandatory minimum sentence of 4 years for anyone who leaves the scene of an accident that caused a fatality.
Despite these laws and the possibility of jail time , too many people choose to leave the scene of an accident that they caused. 25% of all motor vehicle accidents in the state of Florida are considered hit-and-runs – a shockingly high percentage. This reality can often leave accident victims in a bind when they seek to hold the at-fault driver responsible for their injuries through the legal process.
What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
If you have been hurt in a hit-and-run collision, you may be scared and unsure of what to do. The most important thing that you should do immediately after is to seek medical attention. This may include calling 911 if you are seriously injured and need emergency care.
Getting medical treatment right away is critical to keep you safe and to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Prompt medical care also helps to establish a connection between the accident and your injuries.
If you can do so, you should write down anything you can remember about the car that hit you – such as the make, model, or even the license plate number. This information can be important in tracking down the responsible party. Because leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense, any information that you can share with law enforcement – and your lawyer – will help bring the at-fault driver to justice. Criminal charges can also support your case if you decide to take legal action.
If there were any witnesses, you could also ask them for their names and phone numbers. They might also be able to provide details that will allow you to find the hit-and-run driver. Taking photos and videos of the accident scene can also be helpful when it comes to proving your case.
As soon as possible, reach out to an experienced attorney to schedule a free consultation. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t pay a fee unless they recover money for you through a settlement or a verdict at trial. There is no risk to talking to a lawyer and learning about your legal options – or to hiring one should you decide to pursue an insurance claim.
Having legal representation is especially important in hit-and-run car accident cases because you may not be able to locate the driver. Our experienced car accident attorneys can help you understand your options for seeking compensation, which may include filing an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit against a third party.
How Can I Recover Compensation for a Hit and Run Accident?
In a typical car crash case, the accident victim knows who hit them and can move forward with a claim against that person. In a hit-and-run, the process is a bit different because you may not know right away (or at all) the name of the person who caused the collision.
There are a few options for recovering compensation for your losses after a hit-and-run accident. First, you can try to find out the name of the driver, whether that happens through a police investigation or your lawyer’s work to find the at-fault driver. If you locate that person, then you can file a personal injury claim against them to get fair compensation for your injuries.
Second, you might be able to file a claim against someone else who may have been at fault for the accident. Consider a situation where the shrubbery was overgrown at the intersection where the accident occurred, blocking the driver’s view of oncoming traffic. In this situation, you could potentially file a claim against the business or government agency responsible for keeping that shrubbery trimmed.
Third, you may be able to file a claim with your auto insurance company if you have an uninsured motorist (UM) policy. In Florida, drivers are not required to carry UM insurance – but insurers must offer this coverage. This type of insurance policy will pay for your losses (up to policy limits) in cases where the driver who hit you either doesn’t have insurance coverage or cannot be located – such as in a hit-and-run.
Even when filing a claim against your own auto insurance policy, the insurance claims process can be difficult. Our Vero Beach hit-and-run accident lawyers will work to get you the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
When you’re involved in a traffic accident, you might have significant losses. This may include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Medical bills related to physical injuries as well as emotional injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and/or depression
- Reduced earning capacity
- Future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Collectively, these are known as damages. Most personal injury cases involve both economic damages for your out-of-pocket expenses as well as non-economic damages for intangible losses. Documentation like medical records and pay stubs can be used to prove your claim for financial compensation.
The value of your case will be based on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the amount of vehicle damage, and whether you will be permanently disabled. For example, if you suffer a catastrophic injury like a traumatic brain injury (TBI), your case will typically be worth more than a claim involving minor injuries like cuts and scrapes. During a free consultation, your attorney will give you legal advice about your options for pursuing an accident claim and will give you a ballpark estimate of the value of your claim.
In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages from the liable party. Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the at-fault party acted intentionally or recklessly (such as driving without a valid driver’s license). In Florida, punitive damages are capped at the greater of 3 times compensatory damages (economic plus non-economic damages) or $500,000.
Through a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover financial compensation for damages that you have suffered from the responsible driver or through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Our personal injury law firm can help you get the money that you deserve by thoroughly analyzing your auto accident case, investigating the underlying facts, and exploring all available options for compensation. If located, the at-fault driver could face both civil liability as well as criminal penalties.
Involved in a Hit and Run Accident? We’re Here for You.
The idea that someone can hit you and drive away from the scene is outrageous – and yet it happens in a quarter of all Florida motor vehicle accidents. While the prospect of holding the at-fault accountable may seem impossible, our law firm will fight to help you achieve justice. Our personal injury attorneys will explore a range of options to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Gould Cooksey Fennell represents injury victims in the Treasure Coast region who have been hurt in all types of accidents, including hit-and-runs. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation appointment with a Vero Beach hit-and-run accident lawyer, give us a call at 772-231-1100 or fill out our online contact form.
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Our firm is here to take that burden off of our clients and handle their claim completely. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Notable CAR ACCIDENT Settlements and Verdicts
We’ve recovered over $150 million for our clients. These are real case results from real people who came to us for help. And we got them what they were owed.
Plaintiff was operating a small motorcycle/scooter when a 91 year old man turned left in front of him hitting him essentially head on. As a result of the collision, the Plaintiff sustained catastrophic injuries to his lower body, including snapped femurs and fractures to the spine and pelvis. After a two week trial the Indian River County jury returned an award totaling $9.381 million.
A Brevard County Jury awarded Plaintiff $6.4M against Defendant State Farm, following an accident that resulted in numerous catastrophic orthopedic injuries, including a below knee amputation of the Plaintiff’s left leg.
Plaintiff sustained numerous orthopedic injuries as a result of the negligence of a driver working for the State of Florida Department of Agriculture. At trial, the case resulted in a verdict of $5,582,776.82. Because the government’s damages are statutorily limited to $100,000 under Sovereign Immunity laws, Gould Cooksey Fennell’s Personal Injury Group was forced to fight in the Legislature for several years to pursue the passage of a Claims Bill. Ultimately a Bill was passed for 40 times the statutory limitations.
Indian River County crash resulting in significant injuries to a husband and wife. This matter was resolved prior to filing a lawsuit.
Obtained a Trial Verdict of $1.64 million dollars for injuries sustained by an 86 year old woman in a rollover auto accident on SR 60 in Vero Beach, Florida. After prolonged hospitalization, Mrs. Koebele never fully recovered and an Indian River County Jury awarded $1,170,130 for her injuries and $475,000 for her husband’s consortium claim.
Automobile crash in Vero Beach, FL resulting in cervical injury, including disc herniation to a 22 year old tennis professional.
While stopped at the intersection of US Hwy 1 and Vista Royale Boulevard, the Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck from behind with such force that the rear of his SUV was lifted off the ground and his vehicle slammed into the rear of the vehicle in front of him. As a result of the violent impact, Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to his cervical and lumbar spine. An Indian River County jury awarded the Plaintiff $1,487,412.99.
While stopped at the intersection of 43rd Ave and 8th Street, Plaintiff was rear-ended by the Defendant, launching her vehicle into another vehicle in front of her. Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to her right knee and cervical spine, both requiring surgical intervention in the years following the collision. After a nine day trial, an Indian River County jury returned an award of $1,259,090.73.
Indian River County jury awarded verdict against Defendant State Farm following an automobile accident where the defendant Driver was underinsured.
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