Fort Lauderdale Hit And Run Accident Lawyer
Hit and run accidents are criminal and occur when a driver causes a collision and flees the scene without providing assistance or exchanging information. These accidents cause severe injuries, fatalities, and substantial property damages. If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a hit and run, you need an experienced attorney to handle your case. Call (954) 500-4878 to speak to an experienced Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident lawyer. At Englander Peebles, we are dedicated to securing the compensation hit and run accident victims are owed and deserve.
Why Choose Our Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Accident Lawyers?
Englander Peebles prides itself on being different from other law firms. After fighting alongside our loved ones regarding their personal injury needs, we understand first-hand what our clients experience after being injured in an accident. In recent years, traffic statistics have demonstrated that 14 percent of all motor vehicle crashes involved a hit and run driver. Due to the criminally heinous nature of the act, our firm believes hit and run accident victims deserve extra care and concern in handling their cases. We are prepared to fight for due justice and compensation.
Free Consultations
Our car accident attorneys strive to become our clients’ trusted advocates while they focus on their medical treatment plans and recovery. Our firm starts by providing free consultations to hear your story and see if we can help. Anything you share with our legal team remains confidential. Accident victims aren’t required to retain our services after receiving free legal counsel during our initial meeting. We are a no-pressure firm that allows our case results to speak for themselves.
Contingent Fee System
Our lawyers recognize the financial strain being injured in a hit and run accident can impose, including medical bills, vehicle repairs, income losses, and other out-of-pocket costs. This can quickly overwhelm injured parties who should be focusing on their health. To prevent further burden, we operate within a contingent fee system. Contingency guarantees our clients no out-of-pocket expenses. And we only get paid if you do. This makes having qualified legal representation for your claim a no-risk, no-brainer.
Personalized Legal Strategies
We believe in devising personalized legal strategies rather than impending these cases with a scripted approach. Our team quickly identifies case strengths and potential weaknesses and plans accordingly. We understand the importance of building a solid foundation with strong evidence and expert witness testimony corroborating your claim. Trust an experienced Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident lawyer from Englander Peebles to develop a tailored legal strategy to secure fair compensation for your damages.
Comprehensive Case Investigation
A comprehensive case investigation is pertinent to ensure your circumstances are evaluated thoroughly. Insurance companies will not investigate or value claims in the same regard as an attorney because they aim to maximize company profits, not payout substantial claims. Our legal team swiftly jumps into action, collecting and preserving vital evidence, including:
- The police report
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Eyewitness statements and testimony
- Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
- Surveillance footage of the collision from traffic cameras, dash cams, security cams from businesses, and bystanders’ cell phones (when applicable)
- Forensic analysis
If you or a loved one sustained injuries, damages, or lost a loved one in a hit and run accident, call (954) 500-4878 to speak to an experienced Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident lawyer at Englander Peebles today. We provide honest legal assessments about how to secure a reasonable settlement for your claim. Our law office is conveniently located in the Cypress Creek Medical Pavilion:
Englander Peebles
2122 W. Cypress Creek Road
Suite 206
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
We have secured millions for clients suffering injuries from hit and run accidents, commercial truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death, and slip and fall accidents. Schedule a free consultation to get started on your case today.
Compensation for a Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Accident
As the injury victim or surviving family member of a Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident, you may be eligible to secure significant compensation for your injuries or loss. You deserve to be fairly compensated for your financial losses, pain, emotional distress, and the long-term impact of injuries. At Englander Peebles, we hold hit and run drivers accountable for their negligence. Our trusted Fort Lauderdale hit and run lawyers thoroughly value your claim’s economic and non-economic damages to ensure maximum settlements.
Economic Damages
We start by assessing the economic damages in your hit and run case. These are the monetary losses that can be verified by receipts, invoices, and other financial documents. Factors including the severity of your injuries, impact of injuries on everyday life, and potential long-term needs, influence economic damage types and amounts and can include the following:
- Medical Costs: The healthcare costs relating to your hit and run injuries are recoverable calculations in our demand letter for compensation. These include ER visits, hospital stays, medical evaluations, treatments, surgical procedures, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and other rehabilitation care. Diagnostics, imaging, labs, prescriptions, medical devices, copays, deductibles, and all other out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are viable.
- Long-Term Care: If injuries warrant long-term medical care, we assess these damages with your treating medical providers, healthcare professionals in our network, and economist experts. These needs account for surgical, primary, and long-term facility care needs, as well as inflation on those services.
- Property Damages: Vehicle damages or replacement costs are considered after a collision. However, you can claim any personal property destroyed in the hit and run. This can include bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, glasses/sunglasses, cell phones, car seats, and clothing. Property damages to commercial and residential structures, fences, and landscaping can be recovered.
- Professional Damages: When hit and run injuries prevent you from working, our car accident attorneys calculate income losses. These can include lost earnings, overtime, and bonuses. When employees depend on tips or commissions, we can calculate them with accurate documentation. Other potential professional damages include lost benefits (healthcare/retirement), sick leave, vacation pay, and promotions. Our attorneys work alongside vocational rehabilitation experts to determine diminished earning capacity when injuries prevent you from returning to your job.
- Transportation Costs: Rental cars, taxis, rideshare services, and public transportation costs while vehicles are being repaired are covered. Injured parties who cannot drive and need to use these services can also claim these expenses.
This is not an exhaustive list of economic damages. Any monetary losses incurred can be calculated when relevant to your claim. For example, childcare, household services, and lawn maintenance can be included when circumstances warrant their legitimate need. Speak to an experienced Fort Lauderdale hit and run lawyer at Englander Peebles about thoroughly assessing your case’s damages.
Non-Economic Damages
After calculating the economic damages in your claim, we can better determine the extent and value of your non-economic or intangible losses. The severity of your injuries and long-term effects are considered when valuing these damages. Depending on the nature of your hit and run injuries, our car accident attorneys may assess the following non-economic damages:
- Physical pain and chronic pain conditions
- Mental suffering and anguish
- Pain management methods (icing, medications, massage)
- Substance use disorder development from pain management
- Sleep disturbances (discomfort, insomnia, nightmares)
- Inability or limited ability to perform daily tasks
- Loss of consortium
- Psychological trauma (depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Embarrassment or humiliation
- Hearing and vision impairments
- Disability, disfigurement, and scarring
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries (paralysis)
- Loss of society and companionship
- Loss of bodily function
- Sexual dysfunction
- Decreased quality of life (assistance with basic care needs)
- Shortened life expectancy (lost years)
Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses can be more challenging to quantify and prove. Accident victims must document pain and suffering in a journal with dated daily posts. Our lawyers collaborate with relevant expert witnesses to strengthen the case for compensating these damages. Detailed medical documentation and statements from employers, coworkers, friends, and family validating your pain and suffering help secure compensation. Florida does not impose a cap on economic or non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
When hit and run accidents are particularly severe and result in devastating consequences, a jury can award punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish the defendant, deter individuals from repeating the offense, and provide additional compensation for the plaintiff. However, they aren’t typical in hit and run cases, with only 5 percent of all jury verdicts awarding them. Our firm can not calculate, estimate, or anticipate punitive damages. Insurance companies do not pay these; they are the defendant’s direct responsibility. Even when awarded, there is no guarantee that defendants will have the means or assets to pay them.
Wrongful Death Benefits
About 25 percent of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. involve hit and run drivers. If you lost a loved one in a Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident, you may have the right to file for wrongful death. Only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate in Florida can file. They are named in the decedent’s will or designated by the courts.
Wrongful death claimants may recover compensation for their loved one’s final medical expenses, income losses, and pain and suffering. Additional wrongful death benefits include final arrangement costs and the loss of consortium, financial support, parental guidance, and inheritance.
Where Do Hit and Run Accidents Occur in Fort Lauderdale?
While statistics for the specific locations in Fort Lauderdale where hit and runs occur aren’t readily available, traffic crash data from the Fort Lauderdale police department acknowledges that over 27,000 accidents, including car accidents, drunk driving, and hit and runs, occurred in the past couple of years. The top areas for crashes include:
- East Oakland Park Blvd and North Federal Highway
- State Road 5/North Federal Highway from NE 17th Way to NE 33rd Court
- NW 9th Avenue and W Sunrise Blvd
- NW 9th Avenue and NW 62nd Street
The number one intersection for traffic crashes, including hit and runs, in Fort Lauderdale is W Commercial Boulevard and Powerline Road (NW 9th Avenue). Three gas stations and the 1-95 on-ramp surround the intersection, creating heavy traffic and constant congestion. Fort Lauderdale hit and run accidents can occur on highways, interstates, rural roads, and intersections.
Types of Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run accidents encompass many scenarios in which a motorist flees the collision scene without assisting injured parties or exchanging contact and insurance information. These can include property damage when drivers hit a parked car, mailbox, fence, or other structure without leaving information. Hit and runs frequently involve personal injury to others and can result in fatalities. Common types of hit and run accidents include the following:
- Vehicle-to-vehicle
- Vehicle-to-pedestrian
- Vehicle-to-bicycle
- Vehicle-to-property
Drivers who cause collisions without making physical contact with other vehicles and still flee the scene are also considered hit and run motorists, known as phantom drivers. Drunk drivers are a significant factor in hit and run accidents. Many flee the scene knowing that they will be charged for driving under the influence (DUI) if caught. We work alongside law enforcement and eyewitnesses at Englander Peebles to locate hit and run drivers and hold them accountable for their crimes and your compensation.
We Fight for Fair Compensation in Fort Lauderdale Hit and Runs
We understand the importance of recovering fair compensation at Englander Peebles and won’t settle for delivering anything less. You shouldn’t incur costs for injuries that aren’t your fault. Our dedicated Fort Lauderdale hit and run lawyers confidently handle negotiations with insurers and other at-fault parties. Despite their many tactics for undervaluing, delaying, and denying insurance claims, we will demand what’s fair. You can trust us to stand firm for what is right. We are prepared to take viable hit and run cases to court when insurers refuse to compensate legitimate claims reasonably.
Speak to a Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
If you suffered injuries or are grieving the sudden, criminal loss of a loved one, you deserve a caring and experienced attorney to represent your case. Call Englander Peebles at (954) 500-4878 to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident lawyer. We provide comprehensive investigations and legal peace of mind so that you can prioritize recovering from injuries or mourning your loved one’s loss.