Legal Options For Victims In Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

If You Were Injured in a Florida Hit-and-Run, We’re Ready To Fight For You

Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the country for pedestrians, with thousands of serious and fatal accidents reported every year. Palm Beach Gardens is no exception. A simple walk across the street can turn catastrophic in the blink of an eye. When the driver responsible flees the scene, turning the crash into a hit-and-run, victims are left with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.

Physical recovery is hard enough, but the financial strain can be even more significant. Lost income, ongoing treatment, and the cost of long-term care add up quickly. While victims are entitled to compensation, recovering it after a hit-and-run is never simple. With the help of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, however, there is a path to financial recovery that allows victims to focus on healing while someone else handles the fight.

Why Do Drivers Flee The Scene of a Pedestrian Crash?

There is never a valid excuse for leaving an injured person behind. Yet hit-and-run crashes continue to happen across Florida. Drivers often flee because they fear the consequences of staying in place. Here are a few common reasons:

Distracted Driving: Phones, GPS systems, or other distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road.
Drunk or Drug-Impaired Driving: Impaired drivers are more likely to hit pedestrians and more likely to flee.
Speeding and Recklessness: High speeds at intersections or in crosswalks leave little time to react.
Uninsured or Unlicensed Drivers: Fear of financial or legal consequences often leads them to run.
Warrants: Some have outstanding warrants or are worried about immigration issues.
Panic: Still others panic in the moment and make the wrong choice.

Whatever the reason, fleeing the scene of an injury-causing crash is not only a crime under Florida law, but it also adds to the suffering of the victim. The driver remains liable for the harm they caused, whether they are identified immediately or later through investigation.

Florida Law and a Driver’s Duty To Stay

Florida law is clear about what drivers must do after an accident. They are required to stop, exchange information, and render aid if someone is injured. When a driver fails to meet this duty, they face serious criminal penalties, especially if the crash results in serious injury or death.

For the victim, this law creates an important protection. The fact that a driver fled does not absolve them of their legal responsibility. If the driver is later identified, they can be held civilly liable for all of the damages caused by the crash.

However, insurance companies frequently challenge claims in these situations, arguing that the lack of a known driver makes liability unclear. Victims are left trying to piece together medical records, witness statements, and insurance paperwork while struggling to recover physically. Without the right legal guidance, many claims end up undervalued or denied.

Legal Options for Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Victims in Florida

Even when a driver flees and is never found, there are still avenues for victims to pursue financial recovery. Florida law provides several options for injured pedestrians.

PIP Benefits: Personal Injury Protection applies to pedestrians as well as drivers. It can pay up to $10,000 in combined medical and wage loss benefits, though only 60 percent of lost wages are covered.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the driver cannot be located or is uninsured, a victim’s own UM/UIM coverage can step in to provide compensation.
Third-Party Liability: In some cases, other parties may share responsibility. Poorly maintained properties, defective road designs, or negligent businesses that overserve an impaired driver can also play a role.
Civil Claims Against the Driver: If identified, the driver can be sued for the full scope of damages, including pain and suffering and future income loss.

Compensation is not limited to medical bills. Victims may be entitled to recover lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the cost of ongoing care.

However, these avenues can be complex, and insurers often resist paying fair compensation. That is why having a lawyer to identify every possible source of recovery and build a strong claim is important for hit-and-run victims.

What Victims Should Do After A Hit-And-Run

The actions taken immediately after a hit-and-run can make a significant difference in both medical recovery and financial recovery.

Report the Accident: Always call the police so there is an official report.
Seek Medical Care: Immediate treatment protects health and documents the injury.
Notify Insurance: Timely reporting helps preserve benefits under PIP and UM/UIM coverage.
Contact a Lawyer Quickly: Legal support ensures evidence is preserved and claims are filed correctly.

These steps are not always easy in the chaos that follows a crash, which is why professional guidance can be crucial.

Proving Damages And Building A Strong Case

A successful claim requires more than showing that a hit-and-run accident occurred. It requires proving the full scope of the victim’s injuries, financial losses, and long-term impact. This is only possible with strong evidence that demonstrates both liability and damages.

Key forms of evidence in these cases often include:

Medical Records: Documentation that links injuries directly to the crash.
Police Reports: Official accounts of the incident and initial investigation.
Witness Statements: Testimony that can help identify the driver or support how the accident happened.
Surveillance or Traffic Camera Footage: Video evidence from nearby businesses, residences, or intersections.
Employment and Income Records: Pay stubs, tax filings, and employer verification showing the extent of lost wages.
Expert Testimony: Vocational and economic experts explaining how injuries affect future earning capacity.

Collecting and protecting this evidence is rarely straightforward. Surveillance footage can disappear quickly, witnesses can be hard to reach, and insurers often dispute wage loss or medical documentation. This is where an experienced lawyer makes the critical difference.

A lawyer knows what evidence to pursue, how to access it, and how to preserve it before it is lost or destroyed. They coordinate with investigators, doctors, and financial experts to build a case that insurers cannot easily dismiss.

For victims, this means the burden is lifted. Instead of scrambling to gather records or track down witnesses, they can focus on recovery while a skilled advocate handles the details.

The Right Legal Help Makes The Difference

A hit-and-run accident leaves you with more questions than answers. Who will pay for your medical bills? How do you replace the income you have lost? What happens when the driver responsible cannot be found? At The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A., we are here to guide you through these challenges and fight for the compensation you deserve.

With over 30 years of experience and over $85 million recovered for clients, Mr. Shomo understands how to thoroughly investigate hit-and-run crashes, pursue every available source of insurance, and hold negligent parties accountable. You will receive the one-on-one attention your case deserves while we handle the details, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible results.

There is no risk to get started. Your consultation is free, and you will pay no fees unless we successfully secure compensation on your behalf. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Palm Beach Gardens, contact The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A. today. Let us stand by your side.

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