What If I Don’t Know Who Caused My Accident?
Any accident that results in injury can create a lot of physical, emotional, and financial pain. Florida is known as one of the states with the highest number of motor vehicle accidents and collisions. In normal circumstances, drivers are supposed to exchange insurance and identification information so that the party responsible for the accident will be held responsible under the law. After a car accident, it is vital that parties exchange key information with the other parties involved in order to make sure we have a smooth process to ensure a smooth process after the accident. As most of you already know, the information that is exchanged can be crucial in obtaining compensation for any injuries or property damage due to the accident. That is why all states including Florida have laws in place that make it illegal to leave the scene of a car accident. When a driver leaves the scene of an accident, it is commonly referred to as a hit and run. In Florida, statistics from the Florida Department of Highway and Motor Safety state that about 1 in 4 car accidents in Florida are hit and run accidents. In most cases, hit and run crashes will simply result in property damage and some minor injuries but at times, hit and run car accidents can be deadly. In this blog post, we will discuss how you should act if you are involved in a hit and run accident where the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident.
What to Do After a Driver Leaves the Scene of An Accident
When a driver makes the decision to leave the scene of an accident, it is often seen as evidence of fault. Drivers who leave the scene of the accident are subject to serious criminal and civil penalties. This includes accidents that do not involve significant injuries or property damage. If the other driver leaves the scene of the accident, call the police immediately. The state of Florida requires that drivers contact law enforcement if an accident involves injury, death, or property damage in excess of $500.official report, which will be crucial evidence if you intend to pursue damages against the parties responsible. Once police officers arrive on the accident scene, they will have some questions for you and will begin to conduct an investigation. If you were able to make out the description of the driver and their vehicle, that will aid the police in their investigation. In addition, police officers will speak with any available witnesses and possibly speak with nearby business owners to see if the accident was caught on camera. If police officers are able to identify the driver or their vehicle, they may obtain a warrant for the arrest of the driver who fled the scene of the accident. Another important task is taking pictures of the damage to your vehicle and taking pictures of the scene of the accident as this type of evidence can be very helpful in proving your injuries and property damage to your vehicle. If you have been involved in a car accident resulting in a physical injury, your likely next step is to file a claim with your insurance provider in addition to the insurance provider of the at-fault party. However, if you are unable to identify the driver who caused your accident, you can submit a claim with your insurance provider under the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage portion of your policy. Your insurance provider will inform you as to the documentation that is required to make such a claim and will assist you in filing the claim.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in South Florida Today!
If you would like to obtain legal assistance with a car accident claim or if you would like to learn more about your rights in Florida, the car accident attorneys at Suarez & Montero would be happy to explain more about the various ways that our law firm and attorneys can provide legal help and guidance after a car accident. If you’re not sure whether to hire a car accident attorney or handle the claim yourself, you can always get a free consultation to evaluate all of your options. Most law firms don’t charge for an initial office visit and can review your case and possibly point out some information about your case you hadn’t considered. Retaining an attorney can result in a much higher net settlement, if not, at least you had a highly trained professional review your case for free. Simply make an appointment with us at one of our many locations. Let us help you get the medical care you need and fight to make sure you are compensated for your injuries! Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead,
Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston;
and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
