Being hurt in a hit-and-run crash is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can face on the road — you’ve been seriously injured, the driver who caused it is gone, and suddenly you’re left wondering who is responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and everything else that follows. The other driver’s decision to flee the scene does not eliminate your right to compensation. Florida law provides real paths to recovery for hit-and-run victims, but navigating them requires moving quickly and knowing exactly what to do.
The Law Offices of Scott Sobol has been fighting for injured people throughout Sunrise and South Florida for more than 20 years, representing over 1,000 clients and earning more than 100 five-star Google reviews from people he has helped through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Scott Sobol understands the specific legal tools available to hit-and-run victims in Florida and is ready to put them to work for you. Our Sunrise personal injury team handles these cases with urgency because we know the clock starts running the moment the crash happens.
Hit-and-Run Accidents Are a Serious Problem in Florida
Florida has one of the highest rates of hit-and-run crashes in the country, and the numbers behind that reality are alarming. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida in 2023, representing nearly 25 percent of all crashes statewide. Those crashes resulted in 271 fatalities and 871 serious injuries.
Pedestrians and cyclists were disproportionately affected, accounting for 76 percent of all hit-and-run fatalities that year. Broward County, where Sunrise is located, consistently reports some of the highest hit-and-run numbers in the state, driven by dense traffic corridors, high volumes of commuters, and Florida’s year-round active roadway conditions.
Your Options for Compensation After a Hit-and-Run in Sunrise
When the at-fault driver flees the scene and cannot be identified, victims often assume they have no options. That is rarely true. Florida law offers several avenues that an experienced attorney can help you pursue, and the right strategy depends on the specific facts of your case.
Your Own Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is one of the most important protections available to Florida drivers, and it applies directly to hit-and-run situations. If you carry UM coverage on your own auto policy, it can compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by a driver who cannot be identified or who has no insurance. Florida law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, though drivers can opt out of it in writing. If you have it, your own insurer steps in to cover your losses. If you have been involved in a car accident in Sunrise where the other driver fled, the first call after 911 should be to an attorney who can evaluate your coverage before you speak with any insurer.
Florida’s PIP Coverage
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. PIP covers up to $10,000 in initial medical expenses for injuries treated promptly after the accident. While PIP provides a baseline of coverage, it is often insufficient for serious injuries, which is where UM coverage and additional legal claims become critical. Understanding how to layer these resources correctly is something Scott Sobol handles for his clients from the very beginning of each case.
When the Driver Is Later Identified
Law enforcement solves a meaningful number of hit-and-run cases through witness statements, surveillance footage, traffic cameras, and physical evidence left at the scene. If the driver who struck you is identified after the crash, a standard personal injury claim against that driver and their insurer becomes available. This is one reason why preserving evidence immediately after a hit-and-run is so important. The more information gathered at the scene, the stronger the foundation for any claim that follows.
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What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Sunrise
The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run can directly shape the outcome of your case. Call 911 right away and stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives and files a formal report. Look for and speak with any witnesses before they leave. Try to note or photograph any details about the fleeing vehicle, including color, make, model, partial license plate numbers, or any distinctive markings. Check the area for nearby businesses or traffic cameras that may have captured the incident. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not feel severe at first, since documenting your injuries promptly is critical to supporting your claim.
Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company before consulting with an attorney. After a hit-and-run accident in Sunrise, insurers sometimes look for ways to minimize payouts on UM claims, and having legal representation from the start protects you from that risk.
How Florida's Tort Reform Affects Hit-and-Run Claims
Florida’s 2023 tort reform law, HB 837, reduced the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from four years to two years. In hit-and-run cases, time matters even more than usual. Evidence fades, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witness memories grow unreliable. Acting quickly gives your attorney the best opportunity to build a compelling case and preserve the documentation needed to pursue every available avenue of compensation. The modified comparative negligence standard introduced by HB 837 is also relevant if any portion of fault is ever attributed to you, making it essential to have experienced legal counsel shaping the narrative from the start.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Scott Sobol
Scott Sobol has spent more than two decades representing seriously injured clients throughout Broward County and South Florida, handling cases in every circuit court in the region. He takes every case personally, maintains direct contact with his clients throughout the process, and is willing to take a case to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. There are no upfront fees, and he works on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless he wins your case.
Contact The Law Offices of Scott Sobol After a Sunrise Hit-and-Run
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run accident in Sunrise, do not wait to explore your options. Learn more about Scott Sobol’s experience fighting for injury victims across South Florida before taking your next step.
Consultations are free, and there is no obligation. Contact our office today to speak directly with Scott Sobol about what happened and begin building your hit-and-run accident claim.
