Hit-and-run car accidents are a big problem in the state of Florida, with nearly 25% of all crashes involving a hit-and-run driver. Most of these accidents result in property damage, but the reality is that a good amount of hit-and-run accidents can result in serious injuries or even death.
According to the FLHSMV, there were 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida in 2023, which is a decrease of less than 1% from 2022. Of these hit-and-run collisions in 2023, 271 lives were lost and another 871 suffered serious bodily injuries. Out of the 271 people who were killed in hit-and-run accidents in 2023, 159 were pedestrians and 47 were bicyclists.
What Are the Laws in Florida Regarding Hit-and-Run Accidents?
When a collision occurs on either private or public property that causes property damage, injuries, or fatalities, a driver is required by Florida law to stop right away.
The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act was enacted into Florida law on July 1, 2014, which enhanced the penalties for hit-and-run drivers. The statute bears the name of Aaron Cohen, a father of two and an active cyclist who died in February 2012 in south Florida after being hit by a drunk driver who fled from the scene of the crash. The hit-and-run driver received a two-year prison term, which was less than what he would have received if convicted of DUI manslaughter. A driver found guilty of fleeing the scene of a collision that results in death faces a statutory minimum sentence of four years under the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act.
If you are involved in an accident, remain at the scene and call for assistance. It is more than just the law; you could save someone’s life.
Some crashes may solely result in property damage, such as a parked automobile with no one inside, a mailbox, a fence, or a landscape/garden. You must remain at the scene of an accident involving property damage and try to find or get in touch with the owner of the damaged property. If you cannot locate the property owner, the driver who caused the accident should leave contact and insurance information in an easily recognizable location.
If the accident only involved property damage, the motorist and crash victim can self-submit a crash report with FLHSMV after establishing contact, negating the requirement for a police officer to police to file a crash report.
Why Do People Leave the Scene of a Crash?
There are many studies regarding why people flee the scene of the crash, but some of the main reasons are:
- Fear of consequences, such as arrest, deportation, civil liabilities, and more
- Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Driving a stolen car
- Transporting illegal or stolen goods
- Irrational decisions/sheer panic
- Avoiding arrest/additional charges
- Unlicensed
- Uninsured
You should never flee the scene of a car crash, regardless of any fears you may have. There could be severe civil and criminal repercussions if you leave the scene of an automobile accident before the police arrive. Following the law is in the best interests of everyone involved in an accident.
Who Pays for Damages in a Hit-and-Run Crash?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in Florida helps pay for damages if you are involved in a crash with a driver who does not have insurance, or simply does not have enough insurance to cover the damaged involved. UM coverage also comes into play if the driver leaves the scene of the accident.
Our Florida Car Accident and Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are ready to offer our experience handling car accidents, including hit-and-runs, to you. We can help you review your UM coverage, file any insurance claims, and investigate your accident, with the hopes of finding the person responsible. We help resolve car accident claims on behalf of injury victims, and we will not stop fighting for the full and fair compensation you deserve. To learn more, call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.