When a driver strikes you and flees the scene in Largo, you’re left facing not only physical injuries and property damage, but also the frustrating reality that the person responsible has vanished leaving you to wonder how you’ll recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain you never should have endured.
At Justin C. Johnson & Associates, we’ve spent over 25 years turning the tables on hit and run cases throughout Pinellas County, using advanced investigation techniques, local surveillance networks, and aggressive legal advocacy to track down fleeing drivers and secure maximum compensation for our clients.
While you focus on healing, our experienced team immediately springs into action—preserving crucial evidence, coordinating with law enforcement, accessing your insurance benefits, and building an ironclad case that holds the responsible party accountable, all on a contingency fee basis so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
People often ask, is a hit and run accident a felony. In Florida, leaving the scene is a crime. The charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether there is property damage, injuries, or death. While the criminal case belongs to the state, your civil claim is separate and focuses on getting you compensated for medical bills, lost income, pain, and other losses. Even if police never find the driver, you may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage or other sources.
Time matters. Florida’s deadlines for injury claims are strict, and evidence like camera footage or eyewitness recall can fade. Reporting the crash to law enforcement, your insurer, and a lawyer right away helps preserve vital proof. If officers identify the at-fault driver, a conviction is not required for you to win a civil case. Your case relies on evidence that shows the other driver’s fault and the losses you suffered.
Victims of a fatal hit and run accident face unique legal issues for the surviving family. Wrongful death claims allow certain family members to pursue damages for lost support, funeral costs, and the emotional harm of losing a loved one. Our firm guides families through this process with care and steady communication.
Your safety comes first. Get to a safe spot, call 911, and request medical help if needed. If you feel any pain, get checked by a doctor. Many injuries do not show full symptoms right away, and medical records link the crash to your condition. While you wait for officers or after you leave the scene, try to capture or recall details that can help find the driver and prove your case.
Consider these steps:
Our team can send preservation letters to businesses, request traffic or residential camera video, canvass for witnesses, and coordinate with investigators. We also help you use benefits on your own policy, such as Personal Injury Protection, Medical Payments, or Uninsured Motorist coverage, so care does not wait.
At Justin C. Johnson & Associates, we combine careful investigation with courtroom-ready presentation. We pull police reports, 911 audio, and dispatch logs. We obtain body-cam videos, dash-cam clips, and nearby surveillance. When needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, economic experts, and life care planners to demonstrate the full impact of the crash on your health and work life.
Our firm’s results speak to the way we prepare. We focus on actual dollars collected for clients and maintain a trial mindset in every case. Insurance companies pay closer attention when they know your lawyer takes cases to verdict. Our history includes multi-million-dollar results across auto negligence and premises liability, and we report that most cases resolve within the tens to hundreds of thousands based on proof and coverage.
Communication is central to our service. You get direct access to your lawyer and updates at each step. Questions are answered promptly. Documents are explained in clear, plain English. We handle the legal work while you focus on recovery and family.
Every case is different, but common categories of damages include:
If the evidence shows extreme misconduct, Florida law may allow punitive damages to punish and deter. In a fatal hit and run accident, eligible family members can seek funeral costs, lost support and services, and other losses allowed by Florida’s wrongful death laws. We explain what applies in your situation and build a file that clearly shows the harm you have endured.
Local focus, long experience, and trust built one client at a time. For more than 25 years, our personal injury team has served the Tampa Bay area, including Largo and all of Pinellas County. We rely on referrals for most of our work, which pushes us to deliver consistent results and attentive service. Our founding partner’s AV Preeminent rating and long-running Super Lawyers recognition reflect professional respect earned over many years.
We operate on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. From the start, you meet with an attorney who listens and maps the plan. If the case must be tried, we are ready to present it to a jury. If settlement is wise, we negotiate from a position of strength built on facts, expert input, and clear damages. Our approach is comprehensive while staying simple for you to follow, and we work to ensure your claim is fully developed and timely.
People search for an “attorney personal injury near Florida” who is close by and responsive. That is exactly how we practice. Justin C. Johnson & Associates is also equipped to help with related claims, whether you need a personal injury attorney for a car crash claim or a slip and fall lawyer for injuries caused by unsafe property. One call connects you with a team that treats you like family and protects your rights from day one.
From the first phone call to final resolution, you will know where your case stands. Here is how we typically move forward:
Free case review. We listen to your story, answer immediate questions, and outline options. We talk through insurance coverages and deadlines that apply to your situation.
Investigation. We gather records, photos, videos, scene measurements, and witness statements. We request and preserve camera footage from local businesses or neighborhoods. We coordinate with law enforcement and, when helpful, independent investigators.
Medical documentation. We collect medical records and bills, speak with your providers as needed, and create a clear timeline that connects the crash to your injuries.
Claim presentation. We prepare a demand that shows liability and damages using medical proof, employment records, and expert opinions when necessary.
Negotiation or litigation. We seek fair settlement with the insurer. If a fair number is not offered, we file suit and pursue a court date. Throughout, we keep you updated and involved in the big decisions.
This structure reduces stress, avoids surprises, and gives your case the attention it deserves.
Losing a loved one because a driver fled is one of the hardest losses a family can face. Our team supports you with empathy and clear action. We handle contact with insurers, request crash and medical records, and work with experts who can explain the full loss to the court or the insurer.
We also explain which family members can bring claims, what damages are available, and how timelines work in wrongful death. You get a steady hand and a dedicated legal team that treats your case with care and respect.
If you have been involved in an accident where a driver hit you and then fled the scene without stopping, it can be a confusing and emotional experience.
You deserve clear answers about what happened, access to necessary medical care, and fair compensation for any injuries and damages you have suffered. Justin C. Johnson & Associates is dedicated to supporting victims like you throughout this challenging process.
Our team helps you take the next step with confidence by providing direct access to experienced attorneys who understand the complexities of hit-and-run cases. We ensure transparent and honest communication, adopting a results-driven approach that prioritizes your safety, needs, and rights.
Contact us today for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case in detail and learn how we can help you pursue justice and compensation.
Right away is best. Quick action helps preserve camera footage and witness details that can disappear. We can start the claim, protect deadlines, and guide your next steps while you focus on care.
Yes. Many cases are paid through your Uninsured Motorist coverage if the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured. We also work to locate the driver using videos, witness statements, and investigation tools.
Absolutely. The criminal case and your civil claim are separate. We use the evidence from the investigation, build your damages, and pursue compensation through insurance or in court.
Florida benefits like PIP and other policy coverages can help right away. We coordinate benefits, track your losses, and seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer or your own policy when applicable.
Yes. If a fair settlement is not offered, we prepare for court and present your case to a jury. Our trial experience helps us push for full value during negotiations.
