Fort Myers Hit and Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents can leave injured individuals without immediate answers or a clear path forward. When a driver leaves the scene, victims are left to deal with injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about how to pursue compensation. Wolfson & Leon represents victims of hit-and-run crashes across Fort Myers and works to identify all available recovery options, including uninsured motorist claims and additional legal remedies.

Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in Fort Myers: What to Do & How to Recover Compensation

A hit-and-run accident happens when a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene without stopping to provide contact or insurance information. These crashes can occur in intersections, parking lots, neighborhoods, and on busy Fort Myers corridors such as U.S. 41, Colonial Boulevard, and Daniels Parkway. When a driver flees, the injured person is left to handle immediate safety concerns and the long-term financial impact.

Wolfson & Leon helps victims of hit-and-run collisions pursue compensation through all available insurance and legal avenues. We work to protect your rights, determine liability, and build the strongest possible case.

Why Drivers Leave the Scene

Drivers may flee after a crash because they are:

• Driving without insurance or a valid license
• Intoxicated or under the influence
• Driving a stolen or borrowed vehicle
• Afraid of criminal or financial consequences
• Attempting to avoid arrest for unrelated legal issues

Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury is a felony under Florida law. However, criminal consequences for the at-fault driver do not guarantee compensation for the injured person — civil claims are still necessary to recover damages.

What to Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Accident

If you are physically able, the following steps can help preserve evidence:

1. Call 911 and request police and medical assistance. A police report is crucial.
2. Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor. Symptoms like whiplash, concussion, or internal injury may appear later.
3. Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, roadway conditions, and any visible injuries.
4. Check for nearby surveillance cameras, including:
• Gas stations
• Retail businesses
• Parking garages
• Neighborhood doorbell cameras
5. Write down any vehicle details you remember:
• Partial license plate numbers
• Vehicle make, model, or color
• Direction the vehicle fled
6. Get witness contact information if possible.

Do not attempt to follow the fleeing driver. Safety comes first.

How Compensation Works When the Other Driver Leaves the Scene

Even when the at-fault driver cannot be located, injured victims still have legal options.

PIP / No-Fault Coverage

Under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system, your own auto insurance may provide coverage for medical treatment and certain lost wages, regardless of fault. This applies even if the driver who hit you is never identified.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

If your injuries are serious, you may be able to pursue a UM (Uninsured Motorist) claim, which applies in hit-and-run situations because the fleeing driver is legally treated as “uninsured.”

UM coverage may provide compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injury or disability
• Wrongful death damages

Other Possible Avenues

Depending on circumstances, recovery may also occur through:

• A household family member’s auto policy
• Employer-provided vehicle insurance (if you were driving for work)
• Claims involving roadway/planning hazards when appropriate

Our team evaluates every available source of recovery.

How Wolfson & Leon Investigates Hit-and-Run Crashes

We take a detailed, structured investigative approach. Our team may:

• Secure traffic camera and commercial surveillance footage
• Request 911 audio recordings and dispatch call logs
• Review police crash reports and traffic homicide unit findings
• Work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze vehicle trajectory and damage patterns
• Check auto body shops for matching vehicle repairs when appropriate
• Subpoena cell phone records if distracted driving is suspected

Our goal is to identify the driver when possible and maximize available compensation even when the driver is not located.

Potential Injuries in Hit-and-Run Crashes

• Spinal injuries and herniated discs
• Traumatic brain injuries and concussion
• Fractures and orthopedic trauma
• Soft tissue injuries and ligament damage
• Internal injuries or bleeding
• Permanent mobility limitations or chronic pain

Documenting injury progression from the beginning strengthens your case.

Damages You May Be Able to Recover

• Emergency medical care and ongoing treatment
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Long-term disability-related costs
• Wrongful death benefits for surviving family members

Why Choose Wolfson & Leon

• Representing injured Floridians since 1963
• Offices across South and Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers
• No fees unless we win compensation for you
• We handle communications with insurers from day one

FAQ

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage to recover after a hit-and-run?Not in every case, but UM provides the strongest path to compensation.

What if I was a pedestrian or bicyclist?You may still qualify for PIP or UM benefits. We will determine coverage sources.

How long do I have to file a claim?Florida’s statute of limitations is limited — contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Call Wolfson & Leon

If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone.

Call (239) 777-9954 for a free consultation.We serve Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Estero, and all of Southwest Florida.

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