If a driver is involved in an accident, they must:
- Stop the vehicle
- Assist people involved in the accident to the best of their abilities.
- Exchange information with the victim drivers involved in the accident.
However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, a hit and run occurs when a driver fails to stop. Drivers fail to stop after for a number of reasons, including drunk driving, driving without a driver’s license, or driving on a suspended license.
If you were involved in a hit and run, you may be confused about what to do next. That’s why it’s crucial to contact a Pembroke Pines hit and run attorney to help you navigate what to do after your car accident.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
When you’re involved in a hit and run, your safety and the safety of others in the car. However, it is critical to remain calm and document everything you can about the accident. This will save you time and stress in the future. Here are the steps you should take after being the victim of a hit and run.
Check to see If You’re Safe
Check yourself and any other passengers for injuries before doing anything else. Call 911 if someone immediately if anyone is hurt. It is common to be stressed after a hit and run, but just remember to stay calm.
Gather Information
Once you’ve made sure you and the other passengers are safe, jot down as much information as you can about the other vehicle and its driver. Try to write down the vehicle make and model, color, and license plate number. Also, try to describe the driver and in which direction the vehicle was traveling.
If there was a person who witnessed the accident, ask them for their contact information, what they remember seeing, and if they are willing to talk to the police.
Make a Police Report
As soon as possible, call 911, whether someone is injured or not. Having a police report may help you make a claim against the driver who ran. You should also request a copy of the police report from the officer on the scene. Your insurance company may also require a police report as part of your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurer and file a claim once the police have completed their report and you are able to leave the scene. The sooner you call, the more vivid your recollection of the event will be. If possible, file a claim on the same day as the accident.
Reach Out to a Lawyer
While you are not required to get an attorney after your hit and run accident, doing so may assist you in receiving compensation and avoiding liability for the accident. They can also help you with the legal aspects of Florida’s no-fault system.
Following a car accident, you may be required to have your vehicle repaired, visit a doctor for rehabilitation, or miss work. A car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and obtain compensation, allowing you to concentrate on what matters most to you: your recovery, your health, and your family.
What If the Driver in the Hit and Run Is Never Found?
Finding the driver who hit you may take some time, and sometimes they are never found. Even if you can’t find the other driver involved in the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries from your car insurance provider.
Personal injury protection coverage is required in Florida. If you have insurance, your insurer will pay for 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages up to the limit of your policy.
Depending on your policy, you may also have uninsured motorist protection or medical insurance coverage, which would entitle you to more compensation.
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What If the Driver Is Found?
If the driver in the hit and run is found, they can be held liable if they caused the accident. Under Florida Statute 316.027, a driver who runs from a scene can also receive charges. If a person runs from the scene of the accident, they can be charged with:
- A second-degree misdemeanor
- A second or third-degree felony charge
- A first-degree felony charge
Can I File a Claim?
Florida currently uses the no-fault insurance system. That means that, regardless of who was at fault, injured drivers and passengers must typically turn to their own personal injury protection car insurance coverage for compensation after a car accident. However, it is possible to file a claim against the at-fault driver if it is a serious injury:
- Loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Statute of Limitations on Hit and Run Accidents
According to Florida Statutes section 95.11(3), anyone injured in a hit and run accident must file a lawsuit within four years of the date of the accident.
Recoverable Damages for Hit and Run Accidents
If your injuries are serious under Florida law, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable driver in the hit and run. Recoverable damages can be both economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are intended to compensate you for your actual, measurable losses resulting from the hit and run. The following are some examples of economic losses:
- Compensation for lost wages
- Reimbursement for past or future medical expenses
- Property damages
Non-economic damages can include the following:
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Loss of companionship
Contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
Attorneys at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine in Pembroke Pines fight for victims of hit and runs to receive full and fair compensation. Get in contact with us today if you or a loved one has been injured. Our firm will act quickly to fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
