Car accidents are frightening and stressful. Your post-accident stress can increase when the driver who caused the accident flees the scene. If you or someone you love was involved in a hit and run accident, you may not know where to turn for financial compensation. At GED Lawyers, our Panama City car accident lawyers will work hard to identify the at-fault driver with evidence at the accident scene and witness testimony.
If we cannot find the at-fault driver, a Panama City hit and run accident lawyer will help you tap into the PIP insurance portion of your insurance policy. If necessary, we can also help you pursue additional damages if your policy includes uninsured motorist protection.
Hit and Run Accidents Are on the Rise In Florida
According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the number of hit and run accidents is increasing across the state. In 2021:
- 108,155 hit and run accidents occurred in Florida.
- These collisions resulted in 1,176 injuries and 304 fatalities.
- 169 hit and run fatalities were pedestrians, and 45 were bicyclists.
The increase in drivers who leave without acknowledging their actions means uninsured motorist coverage is a crucial option when purchasing auto insurance.
You generally have five years to file a claim with your uninsured motorist policy. A Panama City personal injury lawyer from our team will help you comply with the filing deadline.
Why Negligent Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident
Unless they are subsequently identified, you may never know why the other involved driver fled. Fear of being arrested, reluctance to cover the accident’s costs, and alcohol or drug involvement can all cause a driver to flee. If they are later identified, your insurer may recover the accident’s costs in a process called subrogation.
You do not have to wait for the hit and run driver to be identified. Our law firm will help you pursue compensation from your insurance company without delay.
Pursuing Compensation From Your Own Insurance Policy
Per FLHSMV, all registered drivers in Florida must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This portion of your policy will cover many of your accident expenses. PIP coverage typically pays up to 80% of your medical costs.
We understand the frustration you experience when the at-fault driver leaves the scene without taking responsibility for their actions or even checking to see if you are okay. When a Panama City hit and run lawyer from our law firm represents you, we’ll do everything in our power to identify the at-fault driver. If we cannot, we’ll help you pursue your insurer for compensation.
Explore Your Hit and Run Accident Compensation Options
If you have exhausted your PIP coverage or your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, we can help you explore additional compensation options. That starts by carefully and thoroughly assessing your injuries and their resulting costs.
Our hit and run accident lawyers representing clients in Panama City can fight to recover the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicle damage
- Vehicle destruction
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
Where applicable, our case assessment team at GED Lawyers will also help you seek wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one in a hit and run crash. These damages can include the costs of their funeral and burial, as well as various losses your family has experienced, such as loss of household income and pain and suffering.
Only specific family members can file a wrongful death action. Our law firm will explain who qualifies and ensure compliance with the statute of limitations.
The Importance of Complying With Florida’s Statute of Limitations
If we can locate the hit and run driver and you wish to file a lawsuit against them, it must comply with the statute of limitations. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d):
- You generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- You generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Complying with the statute of limitations can be difficult, since many of the circumstances of your accident may cause it to fluctuate. With sufficient notice from you, we can ensure we file your lawsuit on time.
Our Fee Structure Supports Timely Compliance
Some drivers may opt to negotiate with the insurance company on their own. However, this can be more difficult than it sounds. Concern about attorney’s fees should not prevent you from having our client-focused law firm on your side.
We represent injured clients on a contingency-fee basis. We’ll cover all the costs of building your case from start to finish. We do not expect or accept compensation until we obtain it for you. If your case does not result in a financial award, you will not owe us any fees. Our fee structure also means you can avoid a potentially costly delay in seeking compensation.
See Why Previous Car Accident Clients Recommend GED Lawyers
Personal injury clients recommend our law firm by leaving online reviews that attest to our commitment to ongoing service and support. Reviews from some of our previous clients include:
- Denise Theckston: “This was the first time I was ever involved in any type of car accident. I felt lost… How wonderful to know that someone really does care about your wellbeing along with working your case to help you receive a fair settlement.”
- Pierce Debaldo: “Working with GED Lawyers has been a pleasure from day one. They are constantly communicating with me on the progress of my case. Further, I also received a higher settlement than originally anticipated. I would highly recommend them.”
Your hit and run accident case deserves careful attention to detail. Our team works hard to provide personalized service and fight for the best possible result for you.
Find Out What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Panama City
If a hit and run driver injured you or someone you love, it can be hard to know what to do next. Leave it to us. A Panama City hit and run accident lawyer from our team will help you build a case for financial compensation. Learn more about how hard we’ll fight for you by calling our GED Lawyers case review team today.
