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A hit-and-run accident can leave victims injured, confused, and unsure where to turn. Unlike a typical car accident, the at-fault driver leaves the scene, making it harder to identify who caused the crash, who will pay for medical bills, and how compensation can be recovered.
If you, a family member or a close friend were the unfortunate victims of such an incident, we recommend hiring a Miami hit-and-run accident lawyer capable of representing you. At Gallardo Law Firm, we have experienced and talented professionals who can help you get the maximum compensation possible.
At Gallardo Law Firm, our hit and run accident lawyers represent injured victims and families affected by serious crashes throughout Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Doral, Homestead, Aventura, Westchester, and surrounding South Florida communities. We understand the frustration, fear, and uncertainty that follow when a negligent driver flees instead of stopping to help.
Hit-and-run cases require immediate action. Video footage can be erased, witnesses can disappear, vehicle damage can be repaired, and evidence can become harder to recover. The sooner you speak with a Miami hit and run lawyer, the stronger your claim may become.
A hit-and-run crash is not just another traffic accident. It is a collision where the responsible driver chooses to leave instead of stopping, exchanging information, calling for help, or assisting the injured.
That decision can make the victim’s situation much worse. Medical care may be delayed, emergency responders may not be called quickly, and the injured person may be left alone at the scene. In severe crashes, those lost minutes can make a major difference. Hit-and-run accidents may involve:
Florida continues to report a high number of hit-and-run crashes. FLHSMV reported 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida in 2023, resulting in 271 fatalities and 871 serious bodily injuries. Vulnerable road users were heavily affected: pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 76% of hit-and-run fatalities that year. Those numbers show why hit-and-run accidents require serious legal and investigative attention.
A hit-and-run accident claim is a legal claim for compensation after a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene. These cases may involve two separate tracks:
A hit and run attorney Miami can help determine which options apply to your case.
In many cases, victims assume they cannot recover compensation because the other driver has disappeared. That is not always true. Compensation may still be available through uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, other insurance policies, or a lawsuit if the fleeing driver is later found.
Drivers leave crash scenes for many reasons, but none of them excuse the harm caused to the victim. Common reasons include:
A hit and run lawyer Miami can investigate why the driver fled and whether additional evidence may help identify the responsible party.
Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, provide identifying information, and render reasonable assistance when someone is injured. Leaving the scene can result in serious criminal penalties.
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death can lead to felony charges, and a crash involving death carries severe penalties, including a mandatory minimum prison sentence in certain circumstances.
For the injured victim, the criminal case and the civil injury claim are separate. Even if the driver is arrested, you may still need to pursue a civil claim to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Hit-and-run crashes often begin with the same forms of negligence seen in other serious collisions. Common causes include:
Drivers using cell phones, GPS, rideshare apps, or delivery apps may fail to see stopped vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or traffic signals.
Speeding makes it harder to stop and increases the severity of the crash. A speeding driver may flee because they know they were violating the law.
Impaired drivers may leave the scene to avoid arrest, DUI testing, or criminal penalties.
Many hit-and-run crashes happen at intersections, parking lots, crosswalks, and turning lanes when drivers fail to yield.
Drivers without valid licenses or insurance may flee because they fear financial or legal consequences.
Aggressive lane changes, running red lights, tailgating, and illegal turns can lead to serious crashes.
A hit and run accident attorney can evaluate whether these factors contributed to your crash and how they affect liability.
Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable in hit-and-run crashes because they have little or no physical protection. A person hit while walking or riding a bicycle may suffer:
FLHSMV reported that pedestrians and bicyclists represented a large majority of Florida hit-and-run fatalities in 2023. These cases require fast investigation. Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, dashcams, and witness statements may help identify the fleeing driver.
After a hit-and-run accident, your first priority should be safety and medical care. If possible, take these steps:
Do not chase the fleeing driver. That can be dangerous and may create additional risk. Instead, preserve as much information as possible and allow law enforcement and your attorney to investigate.
Hit-and-run cases depend heavily on evidence. The sooner your legal team acts, the better the chance of preserving important proof. Important evidence may include:
A Miami hit and run lawyer can send preservation requests and investigate potential sources of video before they are deleted.
Yes, in many cases. If the hit-and-run driver is never identified, compensation may still be available depending on your insurance coverage. Possible sources include:
Florida drivers are generally required to carry personal injury protection coverage, which may help pay certain medical expenses and lost wages after a crash.
Hit-and-run drivers are often treated similarly to uninsured drivers for insurance purposes. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it may help cover damages caused by the fleeing driver.
Depending on the facts, other policies may apply, including household coverage, employer-related coverage, rideshare coverage, or commercial vehicle coverage.
Insurance companies may still dispute these claims. They may argue that the crash did not happen as reported, that your injuries are unrelated, or that coverage does not apply. A hit and run attorney Miami can help fight these disputes.
Compensation depends on the severity of the injuries, the available insurance coverage, whether the driver is found, and how the accident affected your life. You may be able to recover damages for:
Emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, medication, physical therapy, specialist visits, and future medical needs.
Income lost while recovering from the accident.
If your injuries affect your ability to work or return to your prior occupation.
Vehicle repairs, replacement costs, and other damaged property.
Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, trauma, and reduced quality of life.
Long-term injuries, reduced mobility, scarring, disfigurement, or chronic pain.
If a hit-and-run crash causes death, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Fatal hit-and-run accidents are among the most devastating cases because families are left grieving while also seeking answers. The responsible driver may still be unknown, and the family may need both criminal investigation support and civil legal guidance. A wrongful death claim may help surviving relatives pursue compensation for:
A hit and run accident attorney can coordinate with law enforcement, investigate available insurance coverage, and help the family pursue justice through the civil system.
Your existing page references a four-year period for hit-and-run injury lawsuits , but that should be updated. Under current Florida law, many negligence-based personal injury claims must generally be filed within two years. Florida Statute §95.11 lists negligence actions under a two-year limitation period. Wrongful death claims also generally have a two-year time limit.
Because deadlines can vary depending on the facts, insurance issues, government entities, or the type of claim, you should speak with a Miami hit and run accident lawyer as soon as possible. Waiting can hurt your case because:
Even when you are clearly the victim, insurance companies may still try to limit payment. They may argue:
A hit and run lawyer Miami can respond with medical records, police reports, witness statements, video evidence, accident reconstruction, and insurance policy analysis.
At Gallardo Law Firm, we understand the stress and frustration that come after a hit-and-run accident. Victims often feel abandoned by the driver and pressured by insurance companies. Our goal is to protect your rights and pursue every available source of compensation. Our legal team can help by:
As a Miami personal injury law firm serving English- and Spanish-speaking clients, we provide legal support tailored to the needs of South Florida communities.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run crash, do not assume you have no options just because the driver fled. You may still be able to recover compensation through insurance coverage, investigation, or a civil claim if the driver is identified. At Gallardo Law Firm, our Miami hit and run accident lawyers are prepared to:
Contact a Miami hit and run accident lawyer today for a free consultation and protect your rights after a hit-and-run crash.
