Hit & Run Accidents in Florida
Team Up With a Brandon Personal Injury Lawyers
Leaving the scene of an accident is referred to as a hit & run in Florida
and this is a serious crime. For the regulations regarding hit and runs
feel free to take a look at Florida Statutes §316.027. The main idea
under the law is that if a driver is involved in a
car accident, they are required to immediately stop and stay at the scene of the accident.
It is illegal to flee the scene without providing your name, address,
insurance and other information. The two key parts of a hit & run
crime include:
- Being involved in an accident with a vehicle, building, structure or any
type of property belonging to another person; and
- Purposefully leaving the scene without providing the necessary information
to the property owner.
All too often people assume that if the owner is not present, they are
off the hook. This is not the case, it is required under law to report
the accident and provide your information even if the owner of the property
is not present.
Duty to Render Aid
There is also a duty to render aid when you are in an accident. If any
other party is injured, a driver in the accident is required to stop,
provide their information and then render assistance to the injured person.
This could include transporting the person to treatment or making arrangements
for treatment if needed. If a person is killed in the accident, a driver
is required to report the accident as quickly as possible. Not rendering
aid can also lead to consequences of the driver under law. The reasons
that drivers may choose to flee the scene include:
-
Being
under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving without a valid license
- Trying to avoid jail or the fines and costs after an accident
- Not realizing that they were involved in the accident
What is the Hit and Run Penalty in Florida?
There are serious penalties for hit & run accidents, including being
charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony, depending on the circumstances.
The reason for fleeing does not necessarily matter, the consequences are
the same regardless. The person responsible may not only be facing penalties
for the hit and run, but oftentimes they are charged with further crimes.
It is common for people to flee the scene if they are committing another
offense at the same time, such as driving under the influence, and they
could be facing double charges.
You deserve compensation from the responsible party.
Boohoff Law, P.A. can assist you in investigating your case and recovering damages for your
injuries, medical costs, lost income and any other hardships the accident
has brought about
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Unfortunately, it is impossible to hold someone responsible if their identity
is unknown. While investigations do take place in order to track down
the person who left the scene, it is not always possible to find them.
You are still able to receive compensation through your personal insurance
policy. Generally, insurance policies have coverage for
uninsured or underinsured motorist claims. You can receive the financial help necessary after your accident, and
we can help you get it. There is also personal injury protection (PIP)
coverage and medical payment (MedPay) coverage that can help you with
your medical expenses. An experienced car accident lawyer in Brandon can
assist you in recovering the damages that you need after an accident.
Hire a Knowledgeable Hit & Run Accident Lawyer - Call
(877) 999-9999 Today
Let us take care of the legal proceedings following a hit & run accident
while you focus on recovering and moving forward. Our injury attorneys
have years of experience in helping injured victims and we can help.
Contact Boohoff Law, P.A. right away to schedule your
free consultation!