When you need a hit and run accident lawyer in Tampa, Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers provides legal representation for victims of these crashes. Hit and run accidents leave victims facing medical bills, property damage, and uncertainty about their legal options when the at-fault driver flees the scene. Our Tampa car accident lawyer understands the challenges these cases present. We work to investigate your accident and seek to identify available insurance coverage. We strive to pursue the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident in Tampa or anywhere in Hillsborough County, contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Why Choose Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers for Your Tampa Hit and Run Case
When you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident, you may benefit from attorneys with the resources to handle your claim. Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers brings decades of combined experience handling hit and run cases throughout Hillsborough County and Florida.
Our results demonstrate our commitment to pursuing compensation for our clients. We’ve recovered nearly $250 million for clients nationwide. This includes settlements for accident victims. Our case results demonstrate our attorneys’ dedication to pursuing compensation. One case resulted in a $19.1 million settlement for a mother and daughter killed by a semi-truck. Another case resulted in $1.8 million for a trucking accident victim. While every case is unique and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, our track record shows our dedication to pursuing compensation.
Our team includes Florida-licensed attorneys with knowledge of Tampa’s roads, courts, and legal procedures. Attorney Gregg Spagnolia handles cases from our Tampa office. He brings nearly a decade of experience in Florida personal injury law. Our firm has earned recognition from legal organizations. These include Super Lawyers recognition for founding attorney Ross Jurewitz. We also hold Million Dollar Advocates Forum membership for multiple attorneys.
We represent injury victims, and not insurance companies or corporations. We handle hit and run cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your case. Additionally, we advance case expenses. This allows you to focus on recovery while we manage the legal work.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident Under Florida Law?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver leaves the scene of a collision without providing their contact information, insurance details, or assistance to injured parties. Under Florida law, drivers involved in accidents must stop at the scene, provide their information, and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured.
Drivers who flee the scene face serious criminal penalties. These penalties include fines, jail time, and a suspended driver’s license. The severity of criminal charges depends on whether anyone was injured in the accident. Hit and run accidents involving injuries carry more severe penalties than property-damage-only cases.
Beyond criminal prosecution, hit and run drivers face civil liability. This means injured victims can pursue compensation through the civil court system. You don’t need a criminal conviction to recover damages in a civil case. Many hit and run victims seek compensation even when the at-fault driver is never identified or prosecuted.
Your rights as a hit and run victim include the ability to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Florida law provides multiple pathways to recovery, even when the fleeing driver remains unknown. Understanding these options is important to protecting your financial future.
Why Drivers Flee Hit and Run Accident Scenes in Tampa
Understanding why drivers flee accident scenes helps explain the prevalence of hit and run accidents in Tampa. Drivers flee for various reasons, each reflecting different levels of culpability.
Driving under the influence represents one of the most common reasons drivers flee accident scenes. Impaired drivers fear arrest, criminal charges, and license suspension. The consequences of a DUI conviction are severe. Some drivers panic and leave the scene rather than face those consequences. Drivers operating under the influence face heightened criminal liability in hit and run situations.
Lack of a valid driver’s license motivates many hit and run drivers. Some drivers operate vehicles with suspended or revoked licenses. Others drive without ever obtaining a license. These drivers flee rather than face law enforcement.
No insurance or suspended insurance coverage drives many hit and run accidents. Uninsured drivers face fines and legal liability for damages. Rather than face those consequences, some drivers choose to flee the scene. Florida requires all drivers to carry minimum insurance, yet many operate without adequate coverage.
Outstanding warrants or criminal history also motivates hit and run behavior. Drivers with pending criminal charges or active warrants fear any police contact. They flee accident scenes to avoid arrest on outstanding warrants.
Fear of legal consequences and panic at the accident scene cause some drivers to flee. Even drivers with valid licenses and insurance may panic and leave the scene. The shock of an accident can impair judgment, leading to poor decisions.
How Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers Investigates Hit and Run Accidents
Investigating hit and run accidents requires specific knowledge and resources. Our attorneys work to identify the fleeing driver and gather evidence supporting your claim.
Immediate evidence preservation is important in hit and run cases. Traffic cameras, surveillance footage, and witness statements can disappear quickly. We work to preserve this evidence before it’s lost. Our team contacts businesses near the accident scene to seek security footage. We interview witnesses while their memories are fresh and obtain their contact information.
Working with law enforcement helps in the attempt to identify the fleeing driver. Police reports often contain information about the accident. We obtain these reports and work with law enforcement to identify suspects. In some cases, we provide law enforcement with additional evidence that may help locate the at-fault driver. Law enforcement investigation is critical to identifying hit and run drivers.
Analyzing accident scene evidence helps establish what happened. We examine vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, and debris fields. This analysis helps reconstruct the accident and identify the type of vehicle involved. We consult accident reconstruction professionals when necessary to build your case.
Reviewing medical records documents your injuries. We work with your healthcare providers to obtain medical documentation. This documentation seeks to establish the connection between the accident and your injuries. We also identify medical expenses related to the accident.
Identifying available insurance coverage sources is a key part of our process. Hit and run cases often involve multiple potential sources of compensation. We identify uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and other available insurance. We pursue available recovery sources on your behalf.
Compensation Available in Tampa Hit and Run Cases
Hit and run victims can pursue various types of compensation. Understanding these compensation categories helps you assess the potential value of your claim.
- Economic damages compensate you for financial losses resulting from the accident. Medical bills, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment, are recoverable. Lost wages from time away from work are compensable. Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings can be recovered. Future earning capacity losses are also recoverable if the accident causes permanent disability.
- Non-economic damages compensate you for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. These damages recognize the physical pain and emotional trauma of the accident. Loss of enjoyment of life is compensable when injuries prevent you from activities you previously enjoyed. Emotional distress and anxiety resulting from the accident are also recoverable.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage often serves as a primary recovery source in hit and run cases. This coverage applies when the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured. UM coverage typically matches your liability coverage limits. Most policies provide UM coverage to protect you in hit and run situations.
- No-fault insurance (PIP) coverage covers medical expenses regardless of fault. Florida requires all drivers to carry PIP coverage. This coverage pays 80% of reasonable medical charges up to $10,000. PIP also covers 60% of lost wages up to $10,000. This coverage provides payment for medical expenses while your case is being resolved.
- Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient. If the fleeing driver is eventually identified and their insurance limits are too low, underinsured motorist coverage bridges the gap. This coverage seeks to provide full compensation for your injuries.
- Punitive damages may be available if the hit and run driver is identified and found guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Ordinary negligence alone does not support punitive damages. These damages go beyond compensating your actual losses.
Florida’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Hit and Run Claims
Florida law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. You have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. This deadline was reduced from four years effective March 24, 2023, under House Bill 837.
This two-year deadline applies to negligence-based personal injury claims. Missing this deadline means losing your right to pursue compensation through the courts. Insurance companies know about this deadline and may delay settlement negotiations.
Acting quickly to preserve evidence is important. Information can disappear rapidly. Traffic camera footage is often deleted after 30 days. Witnesses move away or forget details. Physical evidence at the accident scene is removed or destroyed. Early legal representation helps with evidence preservation before it’s lost.
Early legal representation also protects your rights in other ways. Your attorney can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. This prevents you from making statements that could harm your case. Your attorney works to see that all necessary legal actions are taken within required deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents in Tampa
What should I do immediately after a hit and run accident?
Call 911 and report the accident to the police. Provide law enforcement with information about the fleeing vehicle. Document the accident scene with photos and video if it’s safe to do so. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries don’t appear immediately. Report the accident to your insurance company. Contact an attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters. Learn more about what to do after a hit and run.
Can I recover compensation if the driver is never found?
Yes, you can often recover compensation even if the hit and run driver is never identified. Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver is unidentified. This coverage typically matches your liability coverage limits. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for medical expenses regardless of whether the driver is found. Underinsured motorist coverage may also apply, depending on your policy. Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers pursues available recovery sources to maximize your compensation.
How long does a hit and run case typically take?
The timeline varies depending on case complexity. Investigation typically takes weeks to months. We work to identify the fleeing driver and gather evidence. Negotiation with insurance companies may take several months. Many cases settle during this phase. If settlement negotiations do not result in an agreement, litigation may be necessary. Court cases typically take 6 months to 2 years, depending on court schedules and the specifics of the case. We keep you informed throughout the process.
What if I’m partially at fault for the hit and run accident?
Florida’s modified comparative negligence law allows recovery even if you’re partially at fault. You can recover compensation as long as you’re 50% or less at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $80,000. Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers works to minimize your liability while addressing the at-fault driver’s responsibility.
Contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers for Your Free Hit and Run Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident in Tampa or anywhere in Hillsborough County, don’t wait to seek legal representation. The Tampa personal injury attorneys at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers are ready to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
Our Tampa office is located at 730 S Sterling Ave Suite 305, Tampa, FL 33609. We maintain 24/7 availability for serious injury cases. We serve all of Hillsborough County, including Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, and surrounding communities.
Contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers today at (813) 605-1100 to schedule your free consultation. With Florida’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, it’s important to act quickly. This protects your rights and helps ensure legal actions are taken within required deadlines.
