Being hit by a driver who flees the scene can leave you injured, confused, and unsure of where to turn. Whether it happened along Griffin Road, University Drive, or a quiet neighborhood street in Davie, a hit-and-run accident raises questions that a typical car crash does not. Without the other driver’s information, how do you pay for medical care? Can you still recover compensation if the driver is never found? A hit-and-run accident lawyer in Davie can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you may be owed, even when the at-fault driver disappears.
What Counts as a Hit-and-Run Accident in Florida
Under Florida law, a driver involved in a crash that results in injury, death, or property damage is required to stop at the scene, remain there, and provide identifying information to the other driver, a passenger, or law enforcement. A driver who flees without doing so, whether the crash involved another vehicle, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or property has committed a hit-and-run.
Hit-and-run accidents in Davie can happen in several ways, including:
- A driver who strikes your vehicle and speeds away
- A driver who hits a parked car and leaves no information
- A driver who strikes a pedestrian or cyclist and does not stop
- A sideswipe or lane-change collision where the other driver never slows down
Regardless of how it happened, the driver’s decision to leave the scene does not eliminate your right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Hit-and-Run
The steps that protect your health and your claim after a hit-and-run are similar to those after any other crash, with a few added considerations. If you are able, try to note the other vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate, or direction of travel before it leaves your sight. For a full breakdown of what to do at the scene, including how to document evidence and speak with insurers, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in Davie.
In a hit-and-run specifically, it is especially important to:
- Call 911 and report the crash right away, even if injuries seem minor
- Give responding officers as much detail as you can recall about the other vehicle
- Ask nearby businesses or residents whether they have surveillance footage
- Look for witnesses who may have seen the other vehicle or its driver
- Seek prompt medical attention, since Florida’s PIP rules generally require treatment within 14 days to qualify for benefits
The crash report generated by law enforcement becomes an important piece of evidence, both for any criminal investigation into the fleeing driver and for your own injury claim.
Can You Still Recover Compensation If the Driver Is Never Found?
One of the most common concerns after a hit-and-run is how to pay for medical bills and other losses when there is no identified at-fault driver to pursue. Florida law provides a few avenues that may still apply even if the other driver is never located:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Florida requires most drivers to carry PIP coverage, which can help pay for a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, including in hit-and-run cases.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If you carry UM coverage, it may apply to a hit-and-run accident, since an unidentified driver is generally treated similarly to an uninsured driver under Florida law. UM coverage can potentially compensate you for injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses beyond what PIP covers.
- MedPay or health insurance: Depending on your policies, additional medical coverage may help with expenses not covered by PIP.
Reviewing your own auto policy, and any household member’s policies that might extend to you, is an important early step. An attorney can help identify which coverages may apply to your specific situation.
What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Identified Later?
Sometimes a fleeing driver is identified after the fact, whether through witness statements, surveillance footage, license plate readers, or a police investigation. If the driver is located and carries insurance, you may be able to pursue a claim against that driver’s policy in addition to, or instead of, relying on your own UM coverage.
Because these cases can shift depending on new information, it is helpful to have legal guidance early, so that evidence is preserved and you understand how a later identification might affect your claim.
Criminal Penalties for Hit-and-Run Drivers in Florida
Leaving the scene of a crash is a criminal offense in Florida, separate from any civil injury claim. Penalties can range from a misdemeanor for property-damage-only crashes to a felony when the crash causes injury or death. While the criminal case is handled by prosecutors and is separate from your personal injury claim, a criminal investigation and any resulting charges can also produce evidence that supports your civil case.
When to Contact a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Davie
Hit-and-run cases often involve more moving parts than a standard car accident claim, including uncertain insurance coverage, ongoing police investigations, and strict deadlines for reporting UM claims to your own insurer. Consider speaking with a hit-and-run accident lawyer in Davie if:
- The other driver was never identified
- You are unsure whether your policy includes UM coverage
- Your insurer disputes or delays your UM claim
- The driver was later identified and insurance coverage is unclear
- You suffered significant injuries or ongoing medical treatment
A Davie personal injury lawyer can review your insurance policies, help gather available evidence, and explain the options that may apply to your specific case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’m hit by a driver who flees the scene?
Call 911 as soon as possible, try to note details about the other vehicle, look for witnesses or nearby surveillance cameras, and seek medical attention. Filing a police report creates an official record that can support both a criminal investigation and your own injury claim.
Can I file a claim if the other driver is never caught?
You may still be able to recover compensation through your own PIP and uninsured motorist coverage, since Florida generally treats an unidentified hit-and-run driver similarly to an uninsured driver. Reviewing your policy with an attorney can help clarify what coverage may apply.
Is leaving the scene of an accident a crime in Florida?
Yes. Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and provide information. Leaving the scene can result in criminal charges ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on whether the crash caused injury or death.
How long do I have to report a hit-and-run to my insurance company?
Insurance policies often include specific deadlines for reporting a claim, including uninsured motorist claims. Reporting the crash to your insurer promptly, in addition to law enforcement, helps protect your rights under the policy.
Contact The Costello Law Group
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Davie, you do not have to sort through insurance coverage and legal options on your own. The Costello Law Group can review the details of your crash, explain how PIP and uninsured motorist coverage may apply, and help you understand the next steps.
Contact a hit-and-run accident lawyer in Davie at The Costello Law Group by calling (954) 591-8099 to discuss your situation.