What To Do In A Hit And Run

Accidents are classified as hit-and-run accidents when a person driving a motor vehicle strikes someone or something and leaves the scene without providing contact and insurance information. Although it’s common to think of hit-and-run accidents as accidents involving two or more vehicles, hit-and-run accidents include accidents where a driver leaves the scene after striking a person or object. 

A person who is hit or has property damaged in a hit-and-run should call the police. Injured persons may need to use their health insurance to cover medical expenses while the police investigate. Those dealing with property damage may file a claim through their homeowners’ insurance policy.

Motorists involved in a hit-and-run must comply with traffic laws. Understanding what to do in a hit-and-run accident ensures you obey traffic laws and protect your legal rights after an accident.

Were you injured in a hit-and-run car accident? Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, now.

What should you do if you’re involved in a hit-and-run?

Anyone involved in a car crash, including hit-and-run accidents, should take some crucial steps after the accident. The essential steps to take include the following:

  • Stay at the scene: Florida laws require motorists to remain at the accident scene
  • Render aid: Check to see if anyone is injured and perform first aid if required. Call for an ambulance.
  • Call 911: Motorists are legally required to report any accidents involving $500 or more in property damage or causing injuries. Reporting the accident to the police enables you to get a police report for the accident, which can help you build your case if you need to pursue a civil suit. 
  • Exchange information: All drivers should exchange contact and insurance information 
  • Make notes: Written records are crucial evidence when determining fault in an accident investigation or proving grounds for a claim in court. Make notes about the accident, including where and when it occurred, how many vehicles were involved, and whether any pedestrians or animals were involved. Note the weather conditions and other details that may be relevant, such as whether the traffic lights were out or a wind gust blew an object onto the road.
  • Create visual records: Use your smartphone to take photos of the scene. You can also take video footage. Take images of the vehicles involved in the accident, the setting, anyone stopped at the accident scene, and nearby buildings. Photos and videos of the crowd can help you identify potential witnesses. Photos of nearby buildings could help your legal team locate video footage of the accident.
  • Collect witness information: Approach witnesses and ask for their names and contact information. Witnesses can help your case if you need to seek damages from the at-fault party.
  • Talk to a lawyer: Your car accident lawyer will explain what you should and should not do after the accident, preventing you from making mistakes at the accident scene. You may be in shock and need to be made aware of the steps you should take. You can call a car accident lawyer for a free consultation from the scene, and they’ll walk you through the process of reporting your accident and clarify what you do and do not need to tell the police.
  • Seek medical care: Many accident victims are in shock and may not think clearly after an accident. You may not realize you’re injured until hours later. Seeking prompt medical treatment ensures you confirm any injuries you suffered and receive immediate treatment.

Florida’s laws on hit-and-runs

As noted, Florida law 316.061 requires motorists to remain at the accident scene. Drivers can face criminal charges for fleeing the scene of an accident.

Drivers must also report the accident to the local police department and exchange information with others involved in the accident. Drivers must also provide medical care when possible to anyone injured in the accident.

These laws don’t apply when a driver is injured and unable to perform these tasks. Suppose you’re in an accident where you suffer head trauma and are unconscious. If paramedics remove you from the scene for medical treatment, you aren’t fleeing the scene. You won’t be penalized for failing to offer medical aid or report the accident to authorities.

Penalties for leaving the scene of an accident

The accident’s severity is one factor used to determine the penalties for leaving the scene. Suppose a driver leaves the scene of an accident that caused property damage. That driver may spend up to two months in jail and pay a fine.

However, a hit-and-run driver may face felony charges for leaving the scene of an accident that caused injuries or death. In addition to having their license suspended and paying a fine, they can spend years in prison. A hit-and-run driver involved in an accident causing injuries may face a prison sentence of five years, while a hit-and-run driver involved in an accident causing someone’s death could face a prison sentence of 30 years.

Who pays for damages?

Florida’s no-fault laws mean all drivers use their insurer to cover specific costs after an accident. All drivers are required to maintain a personal injury protection (PIP) policy of $10,000 or more. All drivers use their PIP insurance to cover most of their medical expenses and lost income if they miss time at work because of their accident.

Motorists must also carry at least $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) insurance. PDL coverage compensates drivers for damage to their vehicle and other property damage costs. 

Your health insurance plan may cover expenses not covered by your PIP insurance. You can also use your underinsured or uninsured driver coverage to cover additional expenses if the driver does not carry the required amounts of coverage.

What recourse do I have if a hit-and-run driver has injured me? 

Although Florida is a no-fault state, and people use their insurance policies to cover accident expenses, individuals in serious accidents can pursue claims against the at-fault party through a civil suit. Filing a civil lawsuit enables victims with severe injuries and expenses to recover damages from the at-fault driver.

Accident victims can seek economic damages to cover accident-related expenses:

  • Childcare costs
  • House cleaning bills
  • Job retraining
  • Lost income
  • Medical bills
  • Personal care costs
  • Property damage costs
  • Transportation costs

Accident victims can also seek non-economic damages, which offer financial compensation for the personal impact of the accident on their lives. Non-economic damages can provide victims with compensation for the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Loss of Intimacy
  • Pain
  • Suffering
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Common reasons drivers flee the scene of an accident

There are several potential reasons a driver might leave the scene of a car accident, including the following:

  • Distracted driving: The driver may be aware that they took their eyes off the road, took their hands off the wheel, or were mentally distracted while driving, and this caused their accident
  • Driving under the influence: Suppose a driver recently took drugs or consumed alcohol. They may be afraid of facing charges.
  • Insurance issues: The driver may not stay at the scene if they’re underinsured or uninsured
  • Issues with license: An underage driver or someone whose license has been suspended may flee the scene to avoid penalties
  • Negligence: Negligent drivers include those breaking traffic laws, such as those texting while driving or speeding
  • Outstanding warrants: A driver might not stay at the accident scene if they know there’s a warrant out for their arrest
  • Reckless driving: Suppose a motorist is drag racing with another driver. They’re involved in an accident during the drag race. They may flee the scene because they know their reckless conduct caused the accident.
  • Shock: Sometimes, drivers are in shock and not thinking clearly after an accident. Being in shock may prompt a driver to leave the scene.

How common are hit-and-run accidents?

There were 401,533 car accidents in Florida in 2021. In addition to property damage, car crash injuries occur in more than 40% of Florida car accidents, with Florida car accidents claiming 3,529 lives in 2022 alone. 

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that hit-and-runs are a factor in one-quarter of these wrecks, or approximately 100,383 car crashes annually. 

Call Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, if you have been the victim of a hit-and-run

A Hit-And-Run Attorney Going Over A Contract With Their Client. In Front Of Them Is A Gavel.

Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, fights for hit-and-run victims in Tampa to receive justice after their accident. Call us for a free consultation. We’ll confirm if you have grounds to pursue a civil suit, and we’ll look after the investigation, legal paperwork, and negotiations while you recover. We use our legal expertise to fight for victims to get the compensation they deserve after a car crash. There are no upfront legal expenses, and you won’t receive a bill until we settle your case, ensuring every victim can afford to seek the justice they deserve.

Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, to schedule a free consultation for your case.

Sources:

Bieber, C. (2023). Florida Car Accident Laws 2023 Guide

FLA. STAT. § 316.061

Tampa Car Accident + Personal Injury Lawyers

Jack Bernstein Personal Injury Attorney

For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein has protected the rights of individuals who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Throughout his career, Bernstein has been a strategist thoroughly dedicated to the idea of protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Bernstein is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.

Mr. Bernstein has the experience and expertise to handle a wide range of injury cases. Among the types of plaintiffs Mr. Bernstein represents are individuals involved in car accidents caused by drunk drivers or other exhibiting negligence, medical complications resulting from carelessness caused by a physician or a medical facility, including brain injury, bicycle, motorcycle, moped and truck accidents, admiralty law and cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, all types of wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury, catastrophic occurrences and legal malpractice issues.

Our firm handles every type of personal injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. We handle cases throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.

Free Case Evaluation

No Fees Unless We Win

No upfront fees, no risk, and no out of pocket cost to you or your family.

Entirely confidential – we respect your privacy, consultations are privileged.