If you’ve fallen prey to a hit-and-run accident in Tampa, St. Petersburg, or anywhere around Florida, you may be entitled to compensation. To seek compensation, contact a hit and run defense lawyer Tampa from the Coleman Law Group! In addition, we can help you to recover your medical bills and lost wages.  

All hit-and-run accident cases are not similar. In some cases, the car driver at fault may stop after hitting, but in others, they run away. So, you don’t even get time to exchange the basic information required for any legal proceeding. Some culprits even deliver inaccurate and false facts. If you or your loved ones have experienced this, they face many complications. That’s where you require a hit and run defense lawyer Tampa who can assist you through the ocean of insurance law so you can acquire the maximum amount of compensation against the damage caused.  

Our firm has tremendous experience against many drivers, so we fight to help you get justice and desirable compensatory charges for your loss.  

Shocking Facts About Hit-and-Run Accidents  

• Almost six people in the US are killed daily in hit-and-run accidents.  
• On average, one hit-and-run accident occurs every minute on US roadways.  
• Hit-and-run cases contribute to more than 5% of road fatalities.  
• On average, the hit-and-run accident cases witness an increase of 7.2% every year.  
• Fleeing drivers account for about 20% of pedestrian crash fatalities.  
• 68% of people killed by hit-and-run accidents were either pedestrians or bicyclists.  
• In 2015, there were 737,100 hit-and-run accidents recorded.  
• There’s been a 60% increase in the number of victims killed in hit-and-run accidents since 2009.  

Does Insurance Cover Hit-and-Run Drivers?  

Yes, auto or car insurance covers hit-and-run accident losses, but it depends on what your insurance policy covers. Body injuries and property damage are covered if the cause of occurrence is either collision, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, or medical payments. Unfortunately, as a car driver, you need to add these coverages to your policy at additional costs because every state doesn’t provide them.  

Auto insurance usually covers property damage and physical injuries. Hitting and uninsured motorist property damage coverage covers property damage, whereas PIP coverage and Medpay cover physical bodily injuries. In some cases, the uninsured provides coverage for property and bodily damage. As an auto driver, if you are filing a property damage claim, it requires you to pay a deductible. It is an out-of-pocket cost because the car insurance coverage kicks in here. For instance, suppose your repair bill is $1,500, and you have a deductible of $500, then this $500 amount is what you have to pay from your pocket, and the rest $1,000 is covered by your insurance company.

A knowledgeable hit and run defense lawyer Tampa can help you navigate this process with insurance companies!

Bottom line: Yes, insurance covers car drivers, but it is required to crosscheck with your insurance company regarding the hit-and-run damages. The terms vary in every state and with every insurance company.  

What Should You Do if You’re In A Hit-and-Run Accident?  

Seeing the driver who hit you slipping away from your glance is painful and frustrating. To sort out the claims process, indulge in the following practices immediately.  

• Analyze the situation  
• Call police  
• Take note of the accident  
• Contact your insurance company  

Who Is Responsible For Your Bills After A Hit And Run Accident?  

You are determined not to be guilty if you have met a vehicle crash. Then the person who pays here is referred to in terms of insurance policy and coverage.   

– No Fault/PIP Coverage  

Suppose you live in a no-fault car insurance state. In that case, your PIP (personal injury protection) coverage provides compensation for your medical expenses, suffered wages, and the cost of replacement services like assisting in daily chores and day-to-day activities. But, of course, it all depends on the rules in your state and the details of your coverage.  

So, no-fault or PIP coverage compensates for your economic losses, regardless of who is guilty of the hit and run accident.  

– Collision Coverage  

If you have collision coverage, you can claim vehicle damage caused by a hit-and-run driver. But it also requires you to pay deductible charges on your collision coverage. This coverage only applies to vehicle damage and has no bearing on your injuries.  

– Uninsured Motorist Coverage  

If the hit-and-run driver vanishes away, uninsured motorist coverage is the easiest option. Here, you don’t claim against the responsible driver but your own insurance company. The insurance company’s obligation is just the amount of uninsured motorist coverage you’ve bought. You bring a lawsuit against your insurer if you cannot settle your claim. You can typically recover for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering up to the limits of your UIM coverage.  

– Liability Insurance  

In case you are not a citizen of a no-fault insurance state, then you might have bought car insurance only to protect you against a claim someone else made who got injured due to your negligence. But unfortunately, liability insurance doesn’t cover your expenses and damages caused due to others’ ignorance.   

Our law firm, The Coleman Law Group, has a lot of experience tackling hit-and-run accidents. With our experienced team of professionals, we can help you comprehend who’s at fault and what legal options you can incorporate to seek the maximum amount of desirable compensation. Reach us now and get assistance from an experienced hit and run defense lawyer Tampa. Call us to learn more about how we can help you.  

What Are The Consequences of Committing A Hit-and-Run Accident?  

Committing hit-and-run is illegal and is solely considered a felony in some states in the US, depending upon the accident’s severity. If you were a victim of a hit-and-run case, then you are more likely to face some severe outcomes as-  

• Paying fines  
• Imprisonment  
• Filing and maintenance OF form SR-22 for some specified duration  
• Suspension of your driving license  

If you or your loved one has ever faced such a hit-and-run accident, contact a hit and run defense lawyer Tampa from our firm today for assistance. We have years of experience handling such personal injury cases and will work tirelessly to get you the deserved justice.  

What Caused Your Hit-and-Run Accident?  

Accidents happen, but sometimes it’s very complicated to know who’s guilty. Many potential factors contribute to hit-and-run accidents. For example, sometimes the driver gets distracted, whereas sometimes the vehicles have loopholes and aren’t maintained properly. Poor road condition is also a possible reason. Below are some of the most common factors that cause hit-and-run auto accidents. 

– Carelessness  

One of the most common reasons is driver negligence. When drivers are in a hurry or get distracted, such mishaps occur. This scenario puts them and others at risk; if you or your knowns have been in such a mishap because of another driver’s negligence, contact an experienced hit and run defense lawyer Tampa to know the legal options you can choose.  

– Improper Vehicle Maintenance  

It is the next most significant factor that leads to hit-and-run accidents. There are specific safety measures every vehicle and driver must imbibe like the vehicles should be in proper working condition and safe to drive. It’s the driver’s responsibility to be extra careful when navigating the vehicle’s condition. So, hazardous consequences can occur without adequate and proper inspection of cars.  

– Poor Road & Weather Conditions  

There are multiple other factors than the driver and vehicle-related ones. One is adverse weather conditions, like snow, extreme precipitation, fog, etc. These can offer hurdles in smooth driving and often cause crashes. Therefore, drivers should be extra careful in such prevailing conditions.   

If you were injured or faced any damage due to any of the factors mentioned above, contact an experienced hit and run defense lawyer Tampa today who can help you investigate what led to the accident and get you compensation for your losses.  

What Should You Know if a Hit-and-Run Accident Left you Injured?  

You should know a few things if a hit-and-run accident left you injured. Firstly comes medical help. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where the victims avoid medical treatment to cut the costs, which is disadvantageous.  

Also, if you don’t indulge in obtaining proper medical help, it can endanger your chances of acquiring the needed financial compensation from your insurance company or other following lawsuits. Act quickly to protect your rights if you’ve sustained injuries caused by a hit-and-run accident. Consulting a reputable accident attorney is quite beneficial at this spur of time.  

At The Coleman Law Group, our hit and run defense lawyer has helped many clients file personal injury lawsuits against other hit-and-run drivers, so we know how to succeed in such cases. 

FAQs  

Can I Receive Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Accident 

Yes, you may be eligible for compensation if you have faced a hit-and-run accident. The payment amount varies depending upon the severity of the crash and other circumstances surrounding your accident. You may be able to recover your damage costs and cover medical charges and even obtain an amount as a makeup for your pain and suffering in certain rare cases.  

If the factor causing the hit-and-run accident is another driver’s ignorance and carelessness, you are eligible to hold the driver liable for your injuries. Speak to a hit and run defense lawyer Tampa to get your relevant legal queries solved.  

What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident?  

If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, check for the injuries caused first. Then, call 911 immediately once you have figured out that all the parties are fine. Next, check trade insurance information for all the drivers involved. Finally, note the drivers’ names, phone numbers, and insurance-related data.   

In case of a minor accident, when there are no fatal injuries, you can file a claim with your insurance company after exchanging the needed details. However, in case of a severe accident, contact a personal injury attorney or an accident attorney to get advice regarding the claims process.  

Take immediate photos of the scene after any mishap and accumulate as much information from the witnesses as possible. It helps in the process of filing a claim or a lawsuit.  

Report to your insurance company; the accident protocols vary with companies and their terms. Report all the facts gathered to your insurance company as these are needed to investigate the incident.  

Contact a Hit and Run Defense Lawyer Tampa

If a hit-and-run accident has affected you or your loved ones, you might be confused about what to do next. At The Coleman Law Group, our experienced hit and run defense lawyer Tampa can help. We will guide you through each step of the process and work tirelessly to make you get justice and the maximum value for the compensation for your loss and suffering.  

Contact us today for a free consultation. We are here to help you navigate through the maze of Tampa insurance law and provide an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyers in Tampa.