When you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, it can be incredibly frustrating. Someone colliding with you and then leaving the scene is very dangerous, not to mention illegal. If a person leaves the scene instead of rendering air or calling for help, it could lead to someone else’s injuries worsening or even death.
The frustration only grows when you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident where the other driver fled the scene. If you cannot locate the other driver, you have no way to file a suit against them for recovery of damages. You will have to use your own resources to pay, including any insurance policies you may have. Additionally, when you pursue a claim against your insurer, you will likely see an increase in your insurance rates, even if the other party was entirely at fault. Reach out to one of our lawyers for help navigating the aftermath of hit-and-run car accidents in Inverness. You could schedule a consultation with a seasoned car accident attorney today.
Defining Hit and Run Accidents
Many people believe these accidents only happen when someone fails to stop. While that does meet the statutory definition, it is not the only qualifying collision. According to Florida Statutes § 316.061 and § 316.027, a hit-and-run accident occurs when someone leaves the scene before exchanging information with the other drivers or fails to render reasonable medical aid to any injured people at the scene.
The criminal penalties for leaving the scene or failing to render aid depend on whether anyone was injured or killed. Penalties start at a $500 fine and 60 days in jail for property damage and go all the way up to a maximum $10,000 fine and a prison sentence of four to 30 years if the wreck leads to a fatality.
The penalties for fatal accidents may seem too low. However, those penalties are on top of any other charges related to the death. So, a person could have a manslaughter or murder offense on top of that charge. Of course, these penalties assume that law enforcement or an investigator can locate the driver. In many instances, no one ever locates the driver in an Inverness hit-and-run car collision.
Steps After a Hit and Run
Many victims are shocked at the audacity of someone who would hit them and then just drive away from the scene. Victims should try to keep calm and take steps to protect themselves and anyone else who may have been injured in the accident.
It is essential to call the police even if there are no injuries. Reporting the wreck to authorities is vital to support insurance claims. People at the scene should write down as much information as possible, including details about the other driver and their vehicle. Anyone capable of doing so should scan the scene for evidence, like debris from the accident, which may contain items that could identify the other car or its driver.
As with other accidents, victims should speak to any witnesses at the scene and gather contact information. Equally important is taking photos of the scene, the damage to the vehicle, and any injuries. These photos can serve as critical evidence for the victim’s insurance company.
Whether insurance will cover a hit-and-run depends on the type of coverage the victim in Inverness had at the time of the car crash. Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist coverage, and collision coverage may cover some or all of the injury and property damage costs.
Reach Out to an Inverness Attorney After a Hit and Run
State mandatory insurance laws are supposed to help victims after an accident. However, when they flee the scene, the wrongdoer may be unavailable. It can leave a victim without coverage or with inadequate coverage for their injuries. Luckily, one of our attorneys could help you pursue claims against your insurance company or collect evidence to try to find the wrongdoer. Schedule a consultation to find out more about hit-and-run car accidents in Inverness.
