What Options Are Available If You Were Involved In A Hit And Run Accident In Florida?
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be extremely stressful and confusing. Unfortunately, hit-and-run crashes happen quite a lot in Florida. Even though the Sunshine State imposes harsh penalties for leaving the scene of an accident, many people are still falling victims to hit-and-run accidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, hit-and-run accidents comprise 25% of the total accidents in Florida. So, what happens when you get involved in a hit-and-run accident? What should you do? And, are there other ways for you to recover compensation for your injuries and damages since you cannot file a claim against a driver who vanishes after an accident? Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
According to Florida Statute 316.062, any driver of a vehicle that gets involved in a collision that leads to bodily injury, death, and/or property damage is required to stop their car at the scene of the accident and exchange information with the other party or parties. A driver is also required to render aid to any person injured in the accident. For example, as long as a driver has the capability to, they are required to carry an injured individual to a doctor or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that the treatment is necessary. A hit-and-run accident is said to have occurred if a motorist fails to stop at an accident to give information and render aid.
Steps To Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident
After getting involved in a hit-and-run accident, it is vital to avoid chasing after the other driver. Instead of chasing after the other driver, you should, among other things;
- Call 911 and give the police all the details you can remember about the car or driver that hit you.
- Talk to witnesses and ask them to provide helpful information to the police.
- Check the scene for anything that could have broken off the other driver’s vehicle.
- Take pictures of the accident scene.
How You Can Recover Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Usually, when an accident occurs because of another driver’s negligence, the negligent driver’s insurer compensates the victim. But even if a negligent driver flees the scene of an accident, a victim may have other options.
Firstly, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can recover compensation from your insurance company after a hit-and-run accident. Usually, uninsured motorist coverage steps in when a person gets into an accident with a driver who does not have insurance but it can also apply to a hit-and-run accident if the other driver cannot be found.
Secondly, if you have collision coverage, you can recover compensation from your insurance company after a hit-and-run accident since this type of coverage usually covers a vehicle’s damage regardless of fault. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that if the police don’t find the driver who hit you, you’ll need to pay your deductible before you can use your collision coverage to cover your car’s repair costs.
Contact a Plantation Car Accident Lawyer
A Plantation car accident lawyer at Lyons & Snyder is available to help you determine your options if you were in a Florida hit-and-run accident. Call 954-462-8035 today to schedule a consultation.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=316.027&URL=0300-0399%2F0316%2FSections%2F0316.062.html
