Miami Hit and Run Car Accident: What to do?

Miami Hit and Run Car Accident: What to do?

Injured in a Miami hit-and-run?

Hit-and-runs are a serious problem in cities like Miami and they can have legal implications for seriously injured victims.

When someone involved in a crash leaves the scene, quick action from victims to ensure your rights are protected.

The Miami hit-and-run car accident attorneys at Lawsuit Legal can help protect your rights.

Fleeing the scene of an auto accident is against the law in Florida, but it happens, especially after bad accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit-and-run, talk to a lawyer right away and get the legal help you need.

What Constitutes a Hit-and-Run Accident in Miami?

Hit-and-run accidents are alarmingly common in Florida, with approximately 1 in 4 vehicle crashes (25%) being hit-and-runs. In 2014, Florida amended hit-and-run laws under the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act after a hit-and-run driver killed a cyclist and father of two. Hit-and-run laws in the state require drivers to:

• Stay to Fulfill Legal Obligations: Remain at the scene of the accident until all legal requirements are fulfilled
• Give Name, Address, and Driver's License: Exchange information with other drivers including name, address, vehicle registration, and driver's license to the other people involved or the police
• Stay to Offer Help to the Injured: You are also required to stay in to render appropriate medical aid to the injured

A failure to fulfill the requirements of the hit-and-run laws after a collision may result in serious penalties, including felony charges.

Florida penalties for fleeing the scene of a crash can be very severe and fall under three types of categories depending on the severity of the accident.

• Property Damage: Can be charged with second-degree misdemeanor with penalties up to 60 days in imprisonment and a $500 fine.
• Injuries: Can be charged with second-or third-degree felony, depending on how serious the injuries with penalties up to a revoked license for at least 3 years, 5 – 15 years imprisonment, and a $5,000 – $10,000 fine.
• Fatalities: Drivers who flee the scene of a fatal accident can be charged with first-degree felony and lose their license for at least 3 years, and face a mandatory minimum 4 years in prison (up to 30 years), and $10,000 fine.

Bad accidents involving serious injury or fatalities have higher hit-and-run rates because the at-fault drivers are scared of the potential consequences of their actions. We encounter a high rate of hit-and-runs in pedestrian accidents because the severity of injury suffered by vulnerable pedestrians or cyclists hit by a car.

If you are hit by a driver who leaves the scene of the accident, it's strongly recommended you seek legal representation as soon as possible.

What Should I Do if I am Involved in a Hit and Run Accident in Miami?

Here's what you should do if you are hit by a driver who flees the scene in Miami:

• Prioritize Safety First: Stay calm, and DO NOT chase the other car. It's dangerous. It's against the law. It can jeopardize your right to compensation.
• Call 911 for Medical Assistance: Check your physical condition and any passengers for injuries. Move to a safe location and call 911 for medical assistance to treat the injured.
• Document Everything: Try to remember details about the other vehicle that hit you that can help identify the driver. Details like: color, make, model, and license plate number.
• Collect Witness Information: Collect contact information of any eye witnesses who saw the incident so they can be contacted later.
• Take Photos of the Accident Scene: Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any accident-related evidence that may be helpful.
• Call the Police: It's critical to contact law enforcement immediately. Report the crash to the Miami-Dade police and wait for them to arrive to make a report. Don't admit fault, stick to the facts when talking to the police.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Tell your insurance company about the accident. Don't make any statements beyond the basic facts of what happened.
• Get Medical Treatment: Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Do not wait to get medical treatment if you've been hurt.
• Speak to an Attorney: Review the crash details with an experienced accident attorney. Your lawyer can tell the insurance company about your accident and and start the insurance claim process to cover medical costs as soon as possible. You may have a claim against the other driver if/when they can be identified.

Why You Need a Hit-and-Run Attorney in Miami

Insurance companies use every tactic available to minimize payouts after an accident. When the at-fault driver flees the scene it can have serious legal implications for victims. As a no-fault state the first step is to file a claim against your own PIP insurance benefits. In the case the driver who hit you can't be identified this may trigger your UIM coverage for compensation.

When the at-fault driver in a Florida hit-and-run accident is identified, it opens legal options beyond insurance claims against your own coverage.

If you are seriously hurt a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver's insurance can seek to recover substantial compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages that wouldn't otherwise be available.

After a bad accident the experienced Miami hit-and-run attorneys at Lawsuit Legal can help you:

• Investigate to Identify the Hit-and-Run Driver: Our legal team can helptrack down hit-and-run drivers after the fact. The majority of drivers can be identified after an incident during investigation of available surveillance footage, witness statements, and in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies across Miami-Dade County.
• Seek Compensation Beyond Your Insurance: Our skilled Miami attorneys will help unravel complex liability matters to identify all possible sources of compensation beyond your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage benefits. We help you go after the money you are entitled from the responsible parties.
• Managing Insurance Company Negotiations: You may be surprised to find that even your own insurance will fight to pay you as little as possible. Our injury lawyers have deep experience countering these tactics and employ proven strategies to maximize your compensation. Don't be pressured into accepting a woefully insufficient settlement that doesn't cover your medical costs and crash-related losses.
• Prepared for Litigation if Necessary: Our accident attorneys are prepared to try your case in the Miami courts if that's what it takes to secure fair compensation. We'll handle all the paperwork and legal process and you can be confident our best-in-class plaintiffs trial attorneys can see your case to a successful resolution.