Gainesville Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

Being involved in any car accident can be overwhelming, but this is especially true when the other driver doesn’t stop or quickly leaves the scene. However, there are some things you can do immediately after a hit-and-run accident to protect yourself, your rights, and your future recovery.

If you can, try to do the following after a hit-and-run accident: 

• Seek medical attention, even if you believe you are not injured or that your injuries are not that serious. You should always receive professional medical care after a motor vehicle accident, as you could have underlying injuries or more severe injuries than you first realize. 
• Call law enforcement and file an official police report. Have the police come out to the scene of the accident and provide as many details as you can about the crash, as well as the other driver. This includes a description of their vehicle and how the accident occurred. 
• Write down everything you can remember about the other driver and their vehicle, including the license plate number or partial license plate number, the make and model of the vehicle, the color of the vehicle, and what the driver looked like (if you can remember). 
• Notify your insurance company about the accident, but avoid agreeing to a settlement or signing anything your insurance company provides to you without first speaking to a lawyer. You may be entitled to more than their first offer. An attorney can help you understand your rights.
• Contact a personal injury lawyer with experience handling hit-and-run accident claims. These are complex motor vehicle accident cases; you want someone who has an in-depth understanding of the law and how it affects your claim. 

At Schackow & Mercadante, we have helped countless clients in situations similar to yours. Our attorneys have more than 126 years of combined legal experience, as well as a long and proven track record of success in recovering full and fair compensation on behalf of their clients.

Can You Recover Compensation for Damages After a Hit-and-Run Accident? 

Depending on the specific details of your situation, it may be possible to recover compensation after a hit-and-run accident. In fact, under Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system, it is not only possible but relatively likely that you will recover some compensation for certain covered damages. 

After any auto accident in Florida, injured motorists can turn to their own insurance providers and receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other eligible economic damages under their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP provides compensation for 80% of your medical expenses due to an “emergency medical condition” (EMC) resulting from an accident, as well as 60% of your lost wages as a result of a disabling accident-related injury. 

However, PIP only covers these expenses up to your policy limits. The minimum required PIP coverage in Florida is $10,000. If you only have the minimum amount of coverage, you can only receive up to $10,000 through PIP after a hit-and-run accident.

Depending on your situation and the type of insurance coverage you have, you could also be able to recover compensation after a hit-and-run accident by: 

• Filing an Uninsured Motorist (UM) Claim: Although UM insurance is not mandatory in Florida, you must reject this coverage in writing for it to not be included in your auto insurance policy. If you have elected to add UM insurance to your policy, you can file a claim after a hit-and-run accident and be compensated for your damages up to your policy limits.
• Bringing a Lawsuit Against the Hit-and-Run Driver: It doesn’t always happen, but if the police can locate the hit-and-run driver, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against them directly. You would have to prove that your injuries meet the state’s definition of a “serious injury” and that the hit-and-run driver was at fault for the incident.

At Schackow & Mercadante, we can review your various options with you during a free, no-obligation consultation and provide our professional counsel regarding how best to proceed.