Boca Raton Hit & Run Lawyer
These victims have almost no hope of getting justice in criminal court. Fewer than 10 percent of hit & run motorists are caught and successfully prosecuted in criminal court. The burden of proof in a criminal case is beyond any reasonable doubt. So, unless a credible eyewitness saw the defendant behind the wheel at or near the scene, a conviction is practically unattainable. Besides, if the hit & run driver knew someone was watching, the motorist probably would’ve remained at the scene.
However, in civil court, a diligent Boca Raton hit & run lawyer from Smith, Ball & Báez can easily obtain both justice and compensation. The burden of proof in a civil claim is only a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not. So, as outlined below, a little proof goes a long way. Additionally, an attorney obtains financial compensation for hit & run victims. This compensation is normally unavailable in criminal courts, which exist only to punish offenders, not to compensate victims.
Tracking Down the Tortfeasor
Generally, investigators have very few leads. So, they quickly give up and move onto other projects. After all, police investigators serve the community, not a victim. In contrast, a Boca Raton hit & run lawyer represents victims. So, attorneys go the extra mile to find evidence in these cases. Some examples include:
- Additional Witnesses: Frequently, someone saw something. But, for whatever reason, the witness doesn’t voluntarily come forward. Many people won’t talk to police officers, but they will talk to a personal injury attorney. Even if the witness only saw part of the wreck, that testimony might be the vital missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.
- Surveillance Video: Cameras are like eyewitnesses who are never biased or incorrect. So, this evidence is almost bulletproof in court. At least one camera covers almost every intersection in Boca Raton. An attorney just needs the patience to look through lots of footage to find that one hidden smoking gun.
- Body Shops: Hit & run vehicles often sustain heavy damage. These tortfeasors (negligent drivers) normally don’t take their damaged vehicles to Service King. Instead, they take them to underground body shops. These owners are understandably reluctant to speak with police officers. But they’ll freely speak with personal injury attorneys.
Our legal team includes experienced investigators who know how to do the legwork in these cases.
Other Options
Despite all these efforts, sometimes the tortfeasor remains at large. That’s okay, because hit & run victims still have legal options in these situations.
PIP insurance, which is mandatory in no-fault states like Florida, is a good example. Many people believe Personal Injury Protection insurance only covers the economic losses in a non-serious injury case.
A PIP policy could also apply in hit & run claims. These policyholders can file claims against their own insurance companies and obtain compensation for their economic losses. For this reason, extra PIP coverage is usually a good investment. The premiums are generally low and the coverage limits are generally high. Furthermore, these claims usually settle on victim-friendly terms, and they usually settle quickly. The insurance company wants to keep its paying customer happy.
Reach Out to a Diligent Palm Beach County Hit & Run Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced hit & run lawyer in Boca Raton, contact Smith, Ball, Baez & Prather, Florida Injury Lawyers. We routinely handle matters throughout the Treasure Coast region.
