Leading Gainesville Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

If another driver hit your car and then fled the scene, you may believe you aren’t eligible for compensation for your medical costs, missed work, and other accident-related losses. But the truth is, you may have legal options.

Navigating an accident claim can be a daunting experience, especially if this is the first time you’ve been involved in a wreck and the other driver left the scene. Our Gainesville hit-and-run lawyers can help you make sense of this difficult time and outline your options for claiming damages. If you’ve been injured and you’re wondering what to do next, call the Meldon Law team.

How Much Compensation Can You Get in a Gainesville Hit-and-Run Accident Claim?

There is no fixed compensation amount for Gainesville hit-and-run accident claims. Every wreck and victim injury situation is unique, so the potential compensation varies widely case-by-case. The damages you are able to recover and the value of your case will depend on the specifics of your case.

A Gainesville car accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation for:

• Property damage: Costs to repair/replace your wrecked vehicle
• Medical expenses: All accident-related medical and rehabilitation bills, both current and future
• Lost income: Wages lost missing work due to crash injuries
• Loss of future earning capacity: For permanent disabilities limiting future earnings
• Pain and suffering: For physical/emotional trauma of injuries
• Miscellaneous expenses: Any other expenses related to your injuries, such as transportation to and from doctor’s appointments

If you lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident, our team can seek justice on their behalf through a wrongful death lawsuit. The driver’s insurance policy limits (if they are identified) will also factor into your potential claim value.

The Deadline to File a Hit-and-Run Lawsuit in Gainesville, Florida

Florida has a statute of limitations that sets a strict deadline for filing a claim or lawsuit stemming from an auto accident. It’s important to pay attention to this time limit because if you don’t file on time, you may lose your right to compensation.

According to Florida Statute 95.11, the deadline to take legal action is generally two years from the date of the accident under the state’s personal injury protection laws. This means victims of a hit-and-run crash must file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver (if they are eventually identified) before the two-year mark passes.

To make sure your hit-and-run accident lawyer in Gainesville can build the strongest possible case for your compensation after a wreck, it’s best to reach out to us as soon as you can after the wreck. The personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law will do everything in our power to keep your case on track.

How a Gainesville Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Help You

When you are trying to recover from an injury or you’re grieving a loved one, the last thing you need to worry about is negotiating with insurance companies. After an accident, let our attorneys handle the steps of your personal injury claim so you can focus on recovering. Here’s how we can help:

Obtaining Coverage From Your Own Insurance Company

Under Florida’s no-fault auto insurance law, you likely must try and collect benefits from your own insurance company first, before even trying to collect from the at-fault driver. The two types of coverage you can likely recover compensation from in a hit-and-run are your personal injury protection (PIP) policy and uninsured motorist coverage. Many people have an uninsured motorist policy without realizing it.

The Meldon Law team can help you determine whether you have one or both of these policies.

Getting Coverage From a Third Party

A third-party claim is one that allows you to recover compensation from other people, such as another driver, a manufacturer of a defective product, or even a government agency. In hit-and-run crashes, claims are typically filed against the negligent driver. Even if the negligent driver fled the scene, you may still be able to identify them using different methods.

It is important to try and identify the driver or their vehicle at the accident scene. Try to get a physical description of the driver or the make, model, or color of their vehicle. Even a partial license plate number can greatly help when trying to identify the hit-and-run driver.

It’s important to note, however, that you should not put your safety in jeopardy to get this information. Do not chase the driver, as you could risk further injury to yourself or cause an accident.

There is no need to panic if you do not get any description of the driver or vehicle at the accident scene. A Gainesville hit-and-run accident attorney may be able to obtain video surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports that can help identify the hit-and-run driver.

You May Face Unique Issues in Gainesville Hit-and-Run Claims

Hit-and-run accidents in Florida present many unique legal issues, including:

• Identifying the hit-and-run driver: Unlike in other accident cases, one of the first steps after a hit-and-run crash is identifying the driver that fled the scene.
• Fleeing the scene does not indicate fault: Leaving the scene of a crash does not necessarily mean their negligence caused the crash.

It is critical to work with a Gainesville car accident lawyer at Meldon Law that can overcome these challenges and help you recover the fair compensation you deserve.

How to Protect Your Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Gainesville

Are you wondering what you should do if you are the victim of a hit-and-run? Here are a few things you should do to protect your rights and health:

• Report the accident: Contact the Gainesville police and file an official accident report. Provide as many details as possible, like the direction the car fled, the model of the car, distinguishing features, etc. The report creates an important record. Remember, do not chase the driver to get this information.
• Seek any witnesses: Talk to anyone who may have witnessed the accident and ask them to go on record recounting what they saw. Obtain their contact details. Their accounts could help investigators.
• Take photos and document evidence: Capture photos of damage, skid marks, debris, injuries, or any evidence that is relevant to how the accident happened. Anything piece of evidence, no matter how small, could identify the vehicle.
• Get prompt medical care: Even if you feel fine initially, see a doctor promptly to document injuries and get needed treatment. Some injuries take days/weeks to surface or can worsen over time if left untreated.
• Keep records of expenses and losses: Document accident-related expenses like medical bills, vehicle repair estimates, lost wages due to missed work, etc. These underscore the economic damages for insurance/legal claims.
• Call a lawyer: A Gainesville hit-and-run accident attorney understands how to conduct an investigation, negotiate best settlements, and file claims/lawsuits before legal deadlines expire. We handle the fight to get you fully compensated.
• Don’t settle with insurers prematurely: Insurers may pressure quick, lowball settlements. Consult a Meldon Law attorney first before signing anything post-accident or agreeing to any offer.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Gainesville, FL?

The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer typically works on a contingency fee structure rather than an hourly rate. This means the lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of the final compensation amount only if the case is won. If no settlement is reached, the client pays nothing.

Contingency fee arrangements make justice accessible to anyone who needs to file a hit-and-run accident claim in Gainesville and not just those who can afford a lawyer up front. We understand that you may be out of work due to your injuries. Paying a personal injury attorney in advance is one thing you won’t have to worry about when you’ve already got so much to cope with.

Why Hit-and-Run Drivers Flee the Scene After an Accident

Being in an accident can be a frightening experience, especially if a driver believes they are responsible. Some drivers may leave the scene of a crash in Gainesville simply because they are shocked or afraid. However, many drivers flee because there was an act of negligence they were hiding. This could include the fact that:

• They were driving while distracted.
• They were driving while under the influence.
• They were driving while uninsured.
• They had a prior record.
• They had warrants out for their arrest.

It’s unfair to an accident victim to refuse to stop and offer aid. It also leaves them at an unfair disadvantage when it comes to seeking justice. Your Gainesville hit-and-run accident attorney will work to investigate the crash so you can hold the driver accountable for their negligence.

Call Our Gainesville Hit-and-Run Attorneys Now

If you have been injured by a negligent driver who fled the scene of your accident, our Gainesville auto accident attorneys at Meldon Law are here to help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.