What To Do After A Florida Hit And Run Accident
Florida has over 92,000 hit and run accidents every year. Of those, 92,000 accidents, there were over 19,000 injuries and 186 fatalities as a result. These statistics are incredibly shocking, but they highlight how common hit and run accidents are in the state of Florida. Even being so common, most drivers do not know what to do following a hit and run accident. Here are the steps to take to help protect yourself after a hit and run.
Get To Safety
The first thing you need to do is get yourself and your passengers to safety. If you or anyone is severely injured, you need to seek medical treatment immediately. If you or your passengers are not in need of medical attention, make sure to get everyone to safety out of the way of the accident.
Contact The Police
Call the police right away and let them know what happened. Hit and runs are illegal in the state of Florida, so the police need to be notified right away. The sooner they know, the faster they can begin looking for the perpetrator of the accident.
Remain At The Scene
The temptation after a hit and run is often to follow the other driver and try to hunt them down. This an be very dangerous for you, your passengers, and even your vehicle. Not only can it exacerbate your injuries and property damage, but you don’t know what the person fled. They may be a dangerous criminal trying to avoid getting in trouble for other illegal activities. Instead, remain at the scene. The police will handle the pursuit of the other driver.
Make Notes Of The Details
Try to take notes about everything you remember including:
● The vehicle make, model, color, and year
● The license plate number, even if partial
● Identifying marks on the vehicle like damage from the accident, bumper stickers, or unique vehicle features
● The driver and passenger’s appearance including estimated age, gender, hairstyle or color
If there are any witnesses to the accident, try to find out what they saw and remember from the accident. They may have got the plates while you were processing what happened. When the police arrive, provide them with all the details you’ve collected.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries do not seem severe, you always want to seek medical attention after an accident. There are several injuries like spinal, neck, and brain injuries that do not show symptoms until weeks after the injury. Seeking medical attention is important to protect your health.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Whether or not the police are able to find the driver, you will still want to contact your insurance company and let them know what happened. There are many insurance coverages that can help you pay for your damages. Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This legally-required coverage will help pay your medical bills. Under Florida law, you can also make hit and run claims under your uninsured motorist coverage. Finally, if you have “full coverage” or collision coverage, it can help cover the cost of your vehicle damage.
Contact An Attorney
The insurance process after a hit and run accident is very challenging. An attorney can help you navigate the process to ensure that you get compensation for your injuries. We will work with witnesses, the police, and your medical professionals to prove the full value of your claim and fight to help you get the most compensation possible.
Hit and run accidents can be a really traumatic event, but you don’t have to face them alone. Instead, contact The St. Pete’s Lawyer Michael Babboni. With over 27 years of protecting hit and run accident victims in South Florida, he knows how to win a fair settlement. Call him today at 1-727-381-9200 for a free consultation to learn more about how he can help you.
