As shocking as it may be to most people, more than 682,000 hit and run accidents are reported each year around the United States. In 2019, the state of Florida alone reported over 105,000 hit and run accidents, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV). The Sunshine State has one of the highest rates of hit and run fatalities per capita when compared to all other states throughout the country.
Victims of hit and run accidents are often left with debilitating injuries. They are forced to deal with pain and suffering, all with no one to immediately hold accountable for their injuries
If you or someone you love has been injured in a hit and run accident in Florida, you need an experienced car crash attorney on your side. Call Your Damage Lawyer, PLLC today to discuss the circumstances surrounding your crash and get the legal counseling and support you need after being injured.
Our Boca Raton hit and run lawyer has more than a decade of experience handling some of the most complex Florida car accident cases, including hit and run accidents. Call us at (561) 564-0233 or fill out our online contact form today.
By definition, a hit and run accident is exactly what it sounds like. It is simply when a negligent driver strikes another party with their vehicle and then flees the scene without stopping to assist the victim or alert the authorities.
Unfortunately, hit and run accidents are a terribly regular occurrence in Boca Raton, Florida, and they are one of the leading causes of death among pedestrians. With so many gorgeous places to visit within walking distance in Southern Florida, it’s not surprising that pedestrians are everywhere, taking in the sights.
Sadly, there are many negligent drivers who leave the scene of an auto-pedestrian crash, almost without a second thought. Altogether, hit and run accidents currently account for roughly 25% of all deadly pedestrian collisions.
In Florida, drivers who are found guilty of hit and run offenses can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Leaving the scene of an accident that results in only damage is considered a second-degree misdemeanor, which can land a person in jail for up to 60 days and result in fines up to $500.
Hit and run accidents involving injuries are considered a third-degree felony and are punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. Those who are involved in hit and run accidents that result in death can face up to 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Although hit and run accidents are likely to result in criminal charges, this does not impact your ability to secure compensation through civil court remedies. Filing a Florida personal injury claim against a negligent driver can be done with or without criminal proceedings. Working with a knowledgeable hit and run car accident lawyer in Boca Raton can help you to fully understand the legal options available to you.
When victims are harmed in hit and run accidents, it is crucial that they seek legal guidance from a reputable and responsive Florida injury attorney as soon as possible. A seasoned hit and run accident attorney can make a world of difference when it comes to locating at-fault drivers and ultimately, obtaining the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
All drivers are required to do certain things if they are involved in a collision in the state of Florida. These things include:
When a hit and run accident occurs and a driver doesn’t stop, it’s often because the driver is already doing something illegal. That means that the driver is probably driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or they may be driving without a license or car insurance.
In some pedestrian hit and run accidents, the driver isn’t even aware that they hit a person. This leaves many victims of pedestrian hit and run accidents and bike accidents in Boca Raton, FL, left without anyone to hold accountable for the subsequent injuries that were caused.
If the driver who hit you is located, you can hold them accountable for the injuries you sustained as a result of the accident. You do have to prove that the fleeing driver was liable to be able to hold them accountable. A vast majority of all car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents are a direct result of negligent driving.
All drivers in Florida are required to use reasonable care to avoid injuring themselves and others who share the roadways. So, what that means is that they must be as careful and cautious as any other prudent person would be if they were in the same situation.
A driver engages in careless or reckless behavior and violates this duty of care by:
More than 3 million people are injured in motor vehicle accidents in the United States each year. Studies show that approximately 2 million people are left with permanent injuries. An injured victim must prove that the driver breached his or her duty. They must also show causation.
What that means is that the driver’s breach of duty is connected to the injuries that the victim sustained. When a driver flees the scene because they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Boca Raton, you are able to use negligence per se in an effort to get compensated for your injuries and losses related to the accident.
It means that the person was negligent as a matter of law. That’s because it is a criminal act to drive under the influence of alcohol and or drugs in the state of Florida. If the state convicts the driver of a DUI, you are only required to show that the driver’s decision to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs caused your injuries.
Each collision has the potential to cause injury. Anytime a driver flees the scene of an injury accident, it is a crime. Whether you live in Boca Raton, Orlando, Palm Beach, or Ft. Lauderdale, a Florida hit and run accident can quickly leave you with severe mental and emotional burdens.
Victims are frequently overwhelmed, unsure of what to do, and desperate for answers. These struggles, as well as the ensuing legal battles, are only made worse when a seriously negligent or blatantly criminal driver is involved.
Time is absolutely critical in the aftermath of a hit and run collision in Boca Raton. The longer you wait, the less chance you have of finding the culprit and holding them accountable for their actions.
After being involved in a hit and run accident, it is crucial that you take several steps to provide yourself with the best chances possible to find the at-fault driver. Some things you can do are:
Although there are several vehicles that may match the description of the one involved in your accident, it can help law enforcement and people in your community to spot the vehicle and take notice of any damage.
People who witness your accident can be an invaluable asset for helping you get the justice and compensation you need and deserve. These people can help provide descriptions of the driver, the vehicle, and other critical details that they remember.
Even a partial license plate number, combined with the color and model of a vehicle, can help police locate the at-fault driver.
Noting the direction the vehicle leaves in after your accident can help police determine an applicable perimeter of where the driver may be. In some cases, drivers will hide in areas that they think are out of sight immediately following the accident. Knowing the direction the vehicle fled in can help police search for it more easily.
Do not waste any time following a hit and run. Call the police immediately and tell them what happened. Provide the 911 operator with the color and make of the vehicle, the direction in which the driver fled, and any partial plate information available. The 911 operator will immediately notify patrol officers, who can begin looking for the vehicle.
Take pictures of the scene. All pictures of your vehicle should include the areas that were struck by the hit and run driver. In some cases, the point of contact will have paint and other debris from the colliding vehicle. This information can be used to identify the paint type and determine the model, year, and make of the suspects. If in any way possible, take a picture of the fleeing vehicle and its license plate.
Even if you do not feel as though you are injured, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may have internal organ damage, soft tissue injuries, or other potentially life-threatening injuries that need to be addressed. Seeking medical advice also helps you create a paper trail to document your injuries.
Never sign anything or accept any type of settlement agreement. Instead, consult with a Florida personal injury attorney who can review the circumstances surrounding your accident and help you determine legal options available for you.
Boca Raton hit and run accident attorney Chad J. Robinson has more than a decade of experience helping accident victims hold wrongdoers accountable and maximize their recoveries. Our team strives to alleviate the stress and struggles that so many victims face as they navigate the complicated legal system.
Holding the at-fault party liable is crucial, as any hit and run accident can be an extremely expensive ordeal. Many victims are left with towering medical costs, lost wages, property damages, and a variety of other financial burdens that only make the mental and physical pain and suffering worse.
If the driver is located, their insurance company can be the target of a lawsuit to help you recover compensation and alleviate the financial burdens you face related to:
However, if you are unable to identify the at-fault driver, you may still have legal options available to you. In such cases, you will have to engage in actions against your own insurance policy. In general, you must have uninsured motorist coverage (UM) as part of your policy. These policies are available to provide you with compensation for damages sustained from a hit and run crash in Boca Raton. When you utilize uninsured motorist benefits, you are not responsible for paying the losses you suffered through no fault of your own.
You will need to review your uninsured motorist policy to determine what coverage you have and the maximum amount of coverage you purchased. This will have a major impact on your ability to obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries and damages, as the accessible compensation is limited to the amounts provided under your selected policy.
Working with a knowledgeable Boca Raton hit and run accident lawyer can help you determine what options are available. Our team at Your Damage Lawyer, PLLC can review your insurance policy, determine the coverage available for you, and fight to ensure that you are able to maximize your recoveries. Contact our law firm today to see how our personal injury attorney can help protect your legal rights after a hit and run.
