Florida
Car Accident Lawyer Blog

There are few things more intimidating than being in a hit and run accident. One minute you are driving to your destination and the next minute you have been in a Cooper City car accident. Before you can exchange information, the other driver is gone, leaving you shaken and frightened. If you are in this situation, there are several things you need to do:

1) Get immediate medical help for yourself or anyone who is injured. Your first priority should be to get immediate medical attention. Some injuries, such as severe blood loss and Cooper city spinal cord injuries require immediate medical assistance or they will become fatal. Call 911 and get medical help. Be sure to keep a copy of any medical records or emergency room records if you can, as this can help you document your injuries and prove your injuries if your case goes to trial. Even if you do not think you are injured, it is a good idea to see a doctor within a few hours of your accident, just to rule out injuries. Some common injuries, including Cooper City brain injuries, may not show immediate symptoms but may be fatal if left untreated. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health.

2) Write down any facts that you remember about the accident and take photos of the scene if you can. If you remember any details about the hit-and-run driver or their car, write this down before you forget. If you can, take pictures of the immediate area with a cell phone camera or a camera. The more evidence you gather, the more information attorneys and investigators will have.

3) Get the contact information of any witnesses at the scene. Witnesses may have seen something that you didn't, and can help you find the hit-and-run driver who has injured you.

4) Report the incident to police. Leaving the scene of a Cooper City traffic accident is a crime and it is punishable by law. Even if your car was parked when the accident took place, the other driver is obligated to leave contact information on your vehicle. As with your medical records, get a copy of the police record if you can, as this can help you document your case. Police authorities can help you investigate the accident and may even be able to help you find the hit-and-run driver who has injured you. This can be especially important in ensuring that the same driver does not injure other people in a Cooper City car accident again.

5) Contact a Cooper City personal injury attorney with experience in hit and run accidents. Contacting a personal injury attorney is important, as attorneys can work with private detectives to further the investigation into your case and increase the chances that the hit-and-run driver will be caught. A Cooper City personal injury attorney can also help represent you, can help you navigate the insurance claim process, and can generally ensure that anyone who is liable for your accident is held accountable so that you do not have to pay all the costs of your accident yourself.

6) Contact your insurance company. Depending on your coverage, you may be covered for hit-and-run accidents and underinsured drivers. Contact your insurance company to find out whether you are covered in part or in full for the costs of your accident. If you have retained the services of a Cooper City personal injury attorney, your attorney can also help advise you on the best way to proceed with your insurance company, which is another important reason to retain the services of an attorney in hit-and-run cases.

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According to a 2009 Transportation for America study, among the top cities for pedestrian fatalities are Orlando, Tamp, Miami and Jacksonville. In 2008, 490 pedestrians were fatally injured in car accidents in the state, making Florida the worst region for pedestrian deaths. Over the years, Florida routinely has been listed as one of the worst spots for fatal hit and run accidents. According to experts, there are many reasons why hit and run Miami car accidents happen:

1) Modern development in suburban and urban spaces has created lots of high-speed areas for traffic and fewer areas for bicyclists and walkers. It is no surprise that Miami bicycle accidents are also high when compared to other US cities. Larger urban centers such as Miami have fewer spaces that are just for safe walking and biking. The amount of money spent on safe pedestrian areas is just a fraction of the amount spent on roadways and car areas.

2) Drivers who are afraid of being caught. In many cases, hit and run Miami traffic accidents occur when a driver hits someone but keeps driving because he or she is already doing something illegal. If a driver is driving with no insurance, no license, or is driving drunk, he or she may be more likely to leave the scene of an accident, because he or she is afraid of the legal consequences. Since Florida leads the country in car accident insurance, it is plausible that there is also a high instance of people driving illegally.

3) A car-reliant culture. In Miami, having a car is not just about transportation; many people see it as a sign of independence or even a right. This creates all kinds of problems. Many people use cars when there are other alternatives, which in turn increases congestion and the risk of Miami car accidents. In addition, when people see cars as a right, they are more likely to want to drive when it is not safe to do so. For example, someone with an illness that makes it dangerous to drive may still get behind the wheel of a car because they do not want to lose their independence. Alternatively, someone who has a suspended license or no insurance may still drive because he or she “needs” to get to work.

4) Shared spaces. Miami does have many pedestrians and many congested spaces where pedestrians and vehicles share space. Parking lots, crosswalks, and other areas where pedestrians and vehicles share space are especially dangerous sites for Miami pedestrian accidents.

In Florida, hit and run accidents are taken seriously. Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident after causing property damage can be charged with a second degree misdemeanor and may face up to 60 days in jail as well as fines of up to $500. Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident after causing an injury can be charged with a third degree felony and may face up to 5 years in prison as well as fines of up to $5,000. Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident after causing a fatality can be charged with a first degree felony and may face up to 30 years in state prison as well as fines of up to $10,000. In addition, those who leave the scene of an accident can face Miami personal injury lawsuits, where they can be sued for damages caused.

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According to the Insurance Research Council, one in four Florida drivers is on the road with no car insurance. Across the US, one in six drivers do not have insurance, making Florida one of the top five states in the nation when it comes to uninsured drivers. Only New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama have a higher percentage. In addition to these numbers, many more drivers on Florida's roads are underinsured.

Underinsured and uninsured drivers pose a huge risk for all drivers. Florida mandates that all drivers carry a minimum amount of insurance, which covers medical injuries and other injuries to the driver and passenger as well as coverage for property damage to another car. Drivers are free to buy additional insurance as well. Florida law does not require drivers to buy coverage for any medical costs to passengers of the other vehicle involved in a car accident. Drivers who do not have this type of coverage are considered underinsured, since if they are in an accident, their insurance will not pay for the medical costs and injuries they cause another person.

If you are in a Florida car accident caused by an underinsured or uninsured driver, you may have considerable challenges in recovering the costs of injuries, medical expenses, property damage, and other injuries sustained in the car crash.

Florida is a "no-fault" state, meaning that victims who sustain an accident in a car accident can get compensation for medical costs and lost wages in the event of a car accident. The payout is usually quick, since insurance companies do not consider liability when assigning claim amounts. As well, payout comes from the driver's own insurance company, not from the company of the other driver. Therefore, even if the other driver is uninsured, the victim can still get some compensation. However, only small claims of under $10 000 qualify, in most cases, for no-fault benefits.

Serious accidents usually involve lawsuits and legal claims, since no fault benefits do not cover the substantial medical costs and lost income involved. In these cases, the victim will sue the at-fault driver for damages. If the at-fault driver has good insurance coverage and personal assets, the injured driver can get compensation through these means. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the injured driver may need to seek recovery from their own insurance company.

If you drive in Florida, you may wish to speak with your insurance provider about additional coverage that will protect you in the event of a car collision with an underinsured or uninsured driver. While many drivers are upset that they need to pay extra for someone who negligently does not obey the law in getting car insurance, the fact is that many drivers in Florida do not have adequate insurance to protect you and your family in an accident. If you are in an accident with this type of driver, having your own coverage can help pay for medical care and lost income for you and your family.

The claims process in a Florida truck accident or car accident involving an uninsured driver can be very complicated. In some cases, drivers with no insurance will leave the scene of an accident because they do not want to admit that they have broken the law and not taken out car insurance. For these reasons, it is important to secure a Florida car accident attorney immediately after your accident if you believe that the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10% of all car accidents are hit and run accidents, and the prevalence of these accidents has been rising for more than ten years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that most hit and run accidents are either drunk driving accidents or involve a hit and run driver who is uninsured. That is, in most hit and run accident, the motorist leaves the scene of the crime to conceal intoxication or to avoid legal problems.

Being in a Florida hit and run car accident can be devastating. If there are no witnesses, especially, it can be hard to get compensation from your insurance company. You will need to take the time to file a police report about the accident. You may also feel angry and shaken. If you are alone at the scene of the accident and are injured, it is up to you to seek medical attention – with no help from the other driver involved in the accident.

If you are in a suspected Florida drunk driving accident or a Florida car accident that is hit and run, the first thing you will want to do is call emergency services if you or anyone else is injured. The first priority is to get medical help. Next, make sure that you call the police at once. Leaving the scene of a Florida car accident is a crime, so you want to report that crime.

As soon as you have done this, start documenting the accident. In a Florida hit and run accident, documentation is even more important. Take photos of your car, get the contact information of any witnesses, and jot down anything you remember about the driver of the other car. These details can help police catch the motorist.

You will next have to deal with your insurance company. This can be frustrating, since many policies do not cover hit and run Florida car accidents or uninsured drivers. Read over your policy carefully. Consider contacting a good Florida car accident attorney in order to get legal advice and help about your situation. A good, experienced attorney can help you deal with authorities and your insurance company. He or she can even investigate the accident.

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