Hit and Run Accident

When a driver leaves the scene of a crash, the wreckage extends far beyond the road. For victims, the physical pain can be crushing, the medical bills nonstop, and the sense of injustice unshakable.

Maranatha Law takes these cases seriously. If you’re searching for a Lakeland hit and run accident lawyer, we’re ready to put our experience to work.

Hit and run collisions are not rare in Florida, and in Lakeland, they occur far too often. These high-stress cases come with serious stakes. Identifying the driver and proving responsibility requires focus, grit, and relentless attention to detail. Our team knows how to cut through delays, uncover truths, and fight for injured clients every step of the way.

Hit and Run Crashes Are Alarmingly Common in Lakeland

In 2024, Polk County saw more than 2,600 hit and run crashes. Lakeland contributes heavily to those numbers, with incidents often occurring along busy corridors like Memorial Boulevard and U.S. 98 and near downtown intersections.

Drivers may flee for various reasons, including the following:

• They are under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
• They do not have a valid license or insurance,
• They believe they can escape liability, or
• They panic and make the wrong decision.

Regardless of motivation, fleeing the scene is illegal and inexcusable. Victims of a Lakeland hit and run often face steep medical costs, missed income, and emotional distress, all without the information about the driver or vehicle that could help them seek the financial relief they deserve.

At Maranatha Law, we investigate these cases aggressively. We work with experts, recover surveillance video, consult with authorities, and track every available lead. We don’t wait for answers. We go get them.

Injuries in Hit and Run Crashes Tend to Be Serious

Without someone on the scene to call 911 or help, victims of hit and run collisions often receive delayed medical attention. This can worsen injuries and slow recovery in the long run. Whether the crash involved a vehicle striking another car, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist, the injuries we see from these cases can include:

• Broken bones and orthopedic damage;
• Spinal cord damage;
• Internal organ injuries;
• Facial and dental trauma;
• Road rash, scarring, and disfigurement; and
• Traumatic brain injuries.

Early medical evaluation is not just key to safeguarding your health; it also creates clear records of your injuries, which are critical when seeking compensation. These records can help determine how much the liable party or insurance provider must pay for your recovery, missed wages, therapy, and other expenses.

Florida Law Still Protects Victims Even If the Driver Isn’t Found

You might assume no one can do anything if a driver flees and police don’t catch them right away.

However, that’s not true. Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which can pay up to $10,000 regardless of who caused the crash. Yet while PIP is helpful in these situations, it’s rarely enough to cover the full costs.

Even if no one identifies the runaway driver, your own insurance policy may still provide coverage under:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, or
• Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage.

Florida doesn’t require UM, but many people carry it without realizing it. We can work to comb through every insurance policy and coverage clause to find the compensation you’re entitled to. If police later locate the driver, we will pursue accountability directly through their liability insurer or a civil lawsuit, if necessary.

At Maranatha Law, our Lakeland hit and run accident lawyers don’t stop until we’ve examined every avenue to help you recover fair compensation.

What We Do to Hold Drivers Accountable

Not everyone who leaves a crash scene is a hardened criminal. But legally, that doesn’t matter. If a driver fails to remain at the scene and provide aid or exchange information, they have committed a crime under Florida law.

Our team knows how to:

• Work with local law enforcement to obtain investigation updates;
• Secure surveillance footage from area businesses or homes;
• Identify and interview witnesses;
• Request dispatch audio or 911 call logs; and
• Recover physical evidence such as skid marks, broken parts, or paint transfers.

From there, we work to analyze everything and connect the data points. In some cases, hit and run suspects are later arrested. In others, they remain unidentified. Either way, we keep moving. We fight to exhaust every available channel to bring closure and compensation to victims.

What You May Be Entitled to Receive

A hit and run accident lawyer from our firm can help you pursue the maximum amount for your injuries. This might include compensation for:

• Emergency transportation and care;
• Hospitalization and follow-up treatment;
• Surgery or mobility assistance;
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation;
• Lost wages and reduced earning potential; and
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

If your family member was killed in a Lakeland hit and run, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. These cases allow certain surviving relatives to seek additional damages, including funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and more.

It’s also important to understand that Florida law limits how long you have to bring a claim. For most injury cases, including those involving hit and run drivers, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the crash. If you miss this deadline, the court can dismiss your case entirely, no matter how strong the evidence may be.

That’s why starting your case as early as possible leaves no room for delay. It gives us time to secure critical evidence, communicate with insurers, and build a case that demands results.

Why Turn to Maranatha Law?

We’re a Lakeland-based firm. This city is our community. And when drivers violate the law and leave injured people behind, we take that personally.

Our representation is aggressive, focused, and no-nonsense. We don’t sugarcoat reality and don’t shy away from hard cases. Whether the police caught the driver or not, we work to pursue financial recovery from every legally available angle.

We’re not about “quick settlements” but about getting it right. Insurance companies know these cases can be more challenging to prove, and many try to deny claims outright or offer far less than what’s needed. We know their playbook. We use facts, law, and leverage to demand proper results.

What to Do If You’ve Been Involved in a Hit and Run in Lakeland

If a hit and run crash in Lakeland injured you, take the following steps right away if you’re able:

• Call 911 and ask for both police and EMS;
• File a full police report, even if the damage seems minor;
• Take photos of the scene, including debris, skid marks, or damaged property;
• Gather any witness names and contact info;
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible; and
• Avoid speaking with any insurance representative until you’ve talked to an attorney.

Even if you don’t remember the license plate or color of the vehicle that caused the crash, anything you recall might help. One small detail can lead to a breakthrough. Let us investigate.

Don’t Wait to Talk with a Lakeland Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Timing matters in these cases. Surveillance videos can be erased or overwritten within days. Witnesses forget details, and evidence disappears. Starting now gives your case the best shot at the best possible outcome.

If you’ve been injured in a Lakeland hit and run, we’re here to put our experience to work. Contact Maranatha Law today and speak with a Lakeland hit and run accident lawyer who knows what it takes to get justice in these cases.

Resources

• Florida Statute 316.061, link.