Florida has one of the highest rates of hit-and-run accidents of all states across the country, and these collisions often result in pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicle occupants sustaining serious and fatal injuries. In a report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, researchers indicated that hits and runs have been increasing across the country, and virtually every year since 2009 has seen a rise in the overall rate of these types of collisions. If you or someone you love recently sustained injuries in a hit-and-run collision, it is critical to learn more about your options for seeking financial compensation.
You Need to Gather Information at the Scene
While it is essential to document the scene of any motor vehicle collision inasmuch as you are able to do so, it is critically important to document the scene where a hit-and-run accident took place. You should take photographs that clearly show the entire scene, as well as photographs that provide close-up images of skid marks, property damage, and any other details that may be able to help you and your attorney to identify the driver who fled the scene of the crash. You should also make particular note of anyone who may have witnessed the crash and could be able to identify the driver or the vehicle that fled the scene. Write down the names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hit and run, and jot down any details those witnesses immediately recalled about the vehicle or the driver.
You Will Have a Limited Time Window to Identify the Driver and to File a Lawsuit
In order to file a lawsuit after a car accident in Florida, you will need to prove that you have met the “serious injury” threshold required since Florida is a no-fault state for auto insurance claims purposes. If the hit-and-run driver caused injuries that were disabling or disfiguring, you should begin working with a Florida car accident attorney as soon as possible to investigate the case and to file a lawsuit against the responsible driver. It can be difficult to identify the driver who fled the scene depending upon how and where the crash occurred, sometimes taking months or even years before the motorist is identified. Accordingly, once you know the identity of the at-fault driver, it is essential to file your lawsuit quickly.
Under Florida law, personal injury claims typically must be filed within four years from the date of the accident. If the hit and run resulted in the death of a loved one, you will have two years to file a wrongful death claim, and the clock will begin ticking on the date of the death—whether the death occurred at the scene of the hit and run or several months later due to injuries sustained in the collision.
Contact a Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer for Assistance
When you are dealing with injuries from a Florida hit and run, it is important to begin working on your case with a Boca Raton car accident attorney as soon as possible. The dedicated Florida personal injury attorneys at our firm will do everything we can to help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. Contact Lesser Lesser Landy & Smith PLLC to get started on your claim.
Resource:
newsroom.aaa.com/2018/04/hit-run-deaths-hit-record-high/
