If you were injured by a driver who caused an accident and left the scene, then you could be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, property damage, and more in St. Petersburg.
It is unacceptable for any driver to inflict injury, property damage, or death on another person and flee the scene of an accident. If you or someone you love were hurt in an accident where the other driver refused to stop, then you should seek legal representation from a hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to filing personal injury claims on behalf of people who were injured in hit-and-run accidents in St. Petersburg and across the State of Florida. Our law firm understands the difficult nature of hit-and-run accidents, and we want to help you overcome the pain and suffering of the experience.
Our team of car accident lawyers has the resources and skills to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions and ensure that you receive the compensation that you are owed. We will guide you through the legal system and explain the process to you every step of the way in St. Petersburg.
Contact The Law Place now to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight to win the compensation that you deserve following a hit and run accident in St. Petersburg.
The Definition of Hit and Run Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL.
Hit and run accidents, also known as leaving the scene of an accident, are recognized as the driver’s failure to remain at the scene of a car accident and meet their statutory duties following a crash that involves property damage, injury, or death under Florida law.
Every driver has a responsibility to stop their motor vehicle at the location of a car accident and fulfill their statutory duties as written in Florida Statute 316.061. However, not all drivers choose to abide by the law, and they will face serious punishment for their negligence.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you were struck by a driver who fled the scene, then you will need to know the right steps to take following an accident:
- Do not follow – If you were hit by another driver while you were inside of your motor vehicle, then you might have an impulse to chase down the driver who crashed into you. However, it is never a good idea to follow the driver as it could result in even more damage.
- Collect evidence – Instead of following the driver, use your phone to take photographs of their motor vehicle and vehicle registration number. It is also worth taking photographs of your own motor vehicle, the damage that the other driver caused, the location where the accident took place, and more.
- Call the police – Everyone involved in a car accident has to call the police to the scene of the St. Petersburg hit and run accident, according to Florida Statute 316.062. Once the police officers arrive, they will start to investigate the crash and find the driver who hit you.
- Seek medical attention – It is imperative that you seek medical attention by going to the hospital as soon as possible following a St. Petersburg hit and run accident. You might not think that you were hurt, but there are many injuries that are not always immediately visible, and that is why a doctor can save you from any potential suffering later.
- Call your insurance company – You have to call your insurance company to inform them of a St. Petersburg hit and run accident. Do not share any details of the crash and only tell them very little of what happened. If you do not feel like speaking to your insurance company, you can always ask your hit-and-run accident lawyer to make the call on your behalf.
- Hire a St. Petersburg hit and run accident lawyer – Following a car accident, you must take the time to understand your legal rights and make yourself aware of the types of compensation that you could receive. If you are looking for the best legal advice in town, then you should call The Law Place to set up a free consultation today.
Common Hit and Run Accident Injuries in St. Petersburg, FL.
Injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident can vary from minor to major. Furthermore, the type and the speed of the motor vehicle that hit you will contribute to the severity of your injuries. The most common hit and run accident injuries include:
- Broken bones.
- Whiplash.
- Neck injuries.
- Back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Internal organ injuries.
- Amputations.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Paralysis.
- Concussions.
- Skull fractures.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
It is possible that you might not notice symptoms of injuries until days later following a car accident. You must seek medical attention immediately to protect your health and improve your chances of recovering the maximum amount of compensation in a personal injury claim.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Common Reasons Why Drivers Leave the Scene of a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
Our law firm has plenty of experience when it comes to handling hit-and-run cases in St. Petersburg, and we have discovered the most common reasons why drivers leave the scene of a car accident:
- The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The driver had road rage.
- The driver was afraid of going to jail.
- The driver did not have a valid license.
- The driver was uninsured.
- The driver was unaware that a car accident happened.
Of course, there is never a valid excuse to inflict injuries on another person and leave the scene of a crash. You might be left wondering who will compensate you for the injuries and damages that you sustained in an accident, and that is where we will step in to help you. The hit-and-run accident lawyers at The Law Place will fight vigorously to secure the compensation that you deserve, even in the event that the at-fault driver is not found.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Compensation for a Hit and Run Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you or someone you love were hurt in a hit-and-run accident, then you could be eligible to receive compensation by filing a personal injury claim in St. Petersburg.
The most common types of compensation that you could be owed include:
- Medical bills – You could be owed compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses such as hospitalization, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost wages – You could be owed compensation for a loss of income, a reduced earning capacity, and future lost earnings since you have been unable to work.
- Property damage – You could be owed compensation for damage to your motor vehicle and any other damaged property.
- Pain and suffering – You could be owed compensation for reduced quality of life, which includes experiences of pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional trauma, physical pain, and more.
- Wrongful death – You could be owed compensation for the death of a loved one by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. The compensation will cover funeral expenses, medical bills, property damage, and more.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance in St. Petersburg, FL.
The State of Florida works as a no-fault state in regard to accident cases. In other words, your insurance company will pay for certain damages that you suffered, regardless of who caused the accident.
All drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance of at least $10,000 in coverage according to Florida’s no-fault insurance law. If you seek medical treatment within 14 days of your car accident, your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will allow you:
- 80 percent of your medical bills up to the limits of your policy.
- 60 percent of your lost wages.
- $5,000 in death coverage.
If your medical bills exceed the limits of your insurance policy, a hit-and-run accident lawyer from The Law Place will discuss other options that might be available for you to secure compensation.
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you are suffering in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, you must be wondering who will compensate you for the injuries and damages that you sustained. We highly recommend that you get in touch with a hit-and-run accident lawyer for legal advice as soon as possible.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in recovering compensation for clients who have been injured in accidents that were not their fault in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida.
Our law firm is highly trained to deal with complicated cases like hit and run accidents, and we will be sure to find the at-fault driver who caused your crash and hold them liable for your damages. The phone lines to our office are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so that you can speak to a lawyer quickly after a hit and run accident has occurred.
Contact The Law Place now to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight to win the compensation that you deserve following a hit and run accident in St. Petersburg.