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Boca Raton Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
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Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Boca Raton, FL
A hit and run claim arises when a driver causes a crash and willfully leaves the scene without stopping to provide their information or render aid, as required by Florida Statutes section 316.062.
In Florida, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death is a serious felony, and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage is a misdemeanor.
Types of Hit and Run Cases We Handle in Boca Raton
- Parking Lot Hit and Runs. Drivers who clip your car at the Town Center at Boca Raton or a local grocery store and flee to avoid leaving their insurance information.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Strikes. Vulnerable road users struck by vehicles on sidewalks, crosswalks, or bike paths, where the driver panics and speeds away.
- Highway Fleeing. High-speed collisions on I-95, the Florida Turnpike, or Yamato Road where a driver causes a multi-vehicle pileup and abandons the scene.
- Motorcycle Accidents. Crashes where a car changes lanes into a motorcyclist and flees, often resulting in catastrophic injuries due to the lack of structural protection.
- Severe Injury and Fatal Crashes. Cases involving serious bodily harm or wrongful death, where the fleeing driver faces first-degree felony charges, and the family deserves maximum civil accountability.
Why Choose Jacobson Injury Firm as Your Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton, FL?
Prepared to Take Your Case to Trial
Results That Speak for Themselves
Direct Attorney Relationship
Understanding Hit and Run Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation
When a driver flees the scene, they are legally considered an “uninsured motorist” under Florida law. This means your primary path to compensation often runs through your own auto insurance policy’s Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, governed by Florida Statutes section 627.727.
- Medical Bills and Future Care: Emergency room trauma care, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and any long-term medical treatment related to the injury.
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation for missed paychecks and, if the injury causes permanent disability, the loss of your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress: Compensation for the physical agony, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and diminished quality of life caused by the crash and the trauma of being abandoned.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle, bicycle, or other personal property destroyed in the collision.
What to Do Immediately After a Hit and Run
- Call 911 Immediately. A police report is mandatory for a hit and run claim and is the foundation of your insurance case.
- Do Not Chase the Driver. It is dangerous and can compromise your legal claim. Note the license plate, make, model, color, and any distinguishing features of the vehicle.
- Look for Witnesses and Cameras. Ask bystanders if they saw the crash. Check if nearby businesses, traffic lights, or home security cameras might have captured the license plate on video.
- Seek Medical Attention. Go to an urgent care or emergency room immediately. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and a medical record created on the day of the crash is vital evidence.
- Notify Your Insurance Company. Report the incident to your own insurer promptly to initiate a UM or PIP claim, but do not give a recorded statement without legal counsel.
What Is the Hit and Run Case Timeline?
- Immediate investigation, including subpoenaing traffic camera footage and canvassing the area for witnesses.
- Medical treatment is monitored as it unfolds so the claim accounts for the full scope of injuries.
- A demand is delivered to your own Uninsured Motorist carrier (or the at-fault driver’s insurer, if they are later identified), and negotiations begin.
- If the insurer refuses a fair offer or acts in bad faith, a lawsuit is filed and discovery opens.
- The matter concludes either through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict at trial.
What Are Important Florida Legal Resources for Hit and Run Cases?
- Florida Statutes section 316.062 mandates that drivers involved in a crash resulting in injury, death, or property damage must stop, provide their information, and render reasonable assistance.
- Florida Statutes section 627.727 governs Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which is the primary mechanism for compensating hit and run victims in Florida.
- The statute of limitations sets filing deadlines. Florida allows most personal injury and negligence-based property damage claims two years from the date of the accident under Florida Statutes section 95.11.
- Comparative fault rules under section 768.81 determine how a shared-blame finding changes the recovery amount. Under Florida’s modified comparative fault rule, a person found more than 50% at fault generally recovers nothing.
Hit and Run Statistics in Boca Raton, FL
- Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of hit and run accidents, with thousands of such crashes reported annually.
- Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton, sees a high concentration of these incidents in dense retail parking lots (like Mizner Park and the Town Center) and along major arterial roads like Federal Highway (US-1) and Glades Road.
- Hit and run crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are disproportionately common in urbanized areas, often resulting in severe or fatal injuries due to the lack of vehicle protection.
- The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that a significant percentage of hit and run drivers are unlicensed, driving with suspended licenses, or under the influence of alcohol, making them highly motivated to flee.
Boca Raton Hit and Run Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does a hit and run accident lawyer in Boca Raton cost?
How long do I have to file a hit and run claim in Florida?
For most negligence-based claims, including personal injury and property damage from a car accident, Florida allows two years from the date of the accident under section 95.11.
However, evidence in hit and run cases such as traffic camera footage, witness memories, and vehicle debris—can disappear within days or weeks. Waiting to act risks losing the evidence your claim depends on.
What if the driver is never found? Can I still get compensation?
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Should I talk to my own insurance company about the hit and run?
How long does a hit and run case take?
Important Resources for Boca Raton Hit and Run Cases
About Jacobson Injury Firm
Local Resources
- Boca Raton Regional Hospital is a primary area medical center providing emergency, surgical, and rehabilitation care for crash injuries. (561) 955-7100.
baptisthealth.net
- The Boca Raton Police Department investigates local hit and run crashes, reviews traffic camera footage, and provides official accident reports. (561) 338-1234.
myboca.us