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, you are able to use negligence per se in an effort to get compensated for your injuries and losses related to the accident.

What Does Negligence Per Se Mean?

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.

What to do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Time is absolutely critical in the aftermath of a Florida hit-and-run accident. 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:

• Take note of the model and color of the vehicle. 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.
• Get information from witnesses. 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.
• Write down any part of the license plate you remember. Even a partial license plate number, combined with the color and model of a vehicle, can help police locate the at-fault driver.
• Watch the vehicle as it leaves. 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 easier.
• Call the police immediately. 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.
• Gather Evidence. 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.
• Seek medical attention. 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.
• Contact an attorney. 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.

Florida 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.

What Happens if the Driver Is Not Identified?

Holding the at-fault party liable is crucial as any Florida 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:

• Medical treatment, both present, and future
• Long-term costs of care for rehabilitation, therapy, and more
• Lost wages due to recovering and attending appointments
• Lost earnings if you are forced out of work
• Repairing or replacing your vehicle
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• And more

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 during a Southern Florida or Central Florida hit-and-run. 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.

Don't Go Through the Process Alone - Partner with an Experienced Boca Raton Hit & Run Accident Attorney

Working with a knowledgeable hit-and-run accident attorney in Southern Florida 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 Florida personal injury attorney can help protect your legal rights after a hit-and-run accident.