Traffic accidents are a leading cause of accident-related mortality in Florida. What might be a minor driving error by one individual can have devastating consequences for the victims involved. It can also result in lasting physical, emotional, and financial harm to the victim and their families.
Most traffic accidents can be avoided with appropriate caution and result from violations of common traffic regulations. Of the various subtypes of traffic accidents, hit-and-run incidents are some of the most dangerous. Let us take a closer look at the traffic accident burden in Florida, particularly related to hit-and-run accidents.
Florida Traffic Accident Statistics
Each year, nearly half a million car crashes occur in Florida resulting in significant physical and financial damage. According to the 2021 data reported by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were over 400,000 traffic accidents, with 25 percent being hit-and-run incidents.
These crashes resulted in over 250,000 injuries and nearly 4,000 deaths. This is a genuine issue amongst drivers. There has been an obvious trend of these types of accidents happening and the numbers don’t seem to be going down. It’s important to stay vigilant while on the road and to pay attention to your surroundings.
About Hit and Run Incidents
A hit and run accident occurs when negligent drivers crash their vehicle into another vehicle or a pedestrian, do not stop to assist the injured or exchange contact information, and instead, flee the accident scene. Driving away from the site of an accident is a criminal offense, and the negligent driver can be held liable for damages resulting from the incident. These accidents prove more of a challenge as compared to other car crashes.
Simply because it leaves you trying to figure out who caused the accident in the first place. Although it complicates legal matters, you can enlist the help of an experienced attorney who can file a case with local law enforcement. There they can help you find the culprit so they might be held responsible for their actions.
What Can You Do?
It’s important to remain calm at the scene of the accident. It is crucial to call 911 right away and report the incident and ask for the police. While retaining any details in a state of emotional turmoil can be nearly impossible, you should try to remember as much as you can about the offending vehicle, its color, make, and model, license plate information, or any other clue that might assist the police in catching the culprit.
You should also take photos of your vehicle, physical injuries, and the site of the incident and obtain brief statements from any eyewitnesses present at the location who might be able to contribute to your search for the negligent party. You should contact an expert personal injury lawyer and obtain their consultation before filing a claim with your insurance provider for compensation for your damages.
Conclusion
Hit-and-run traffic incidents can cause a great deal of physical and emotional trauma to a victim and their loved ones. These accidents leave them with hundreds of thousands of dollars in monetary and non-monetary damages.
It is important to consult a competent lawyer to explore your legal options in the wake of your incident and file a police report to hold the offending driver responsible for their criminal conduct. It’s important to do it promptly to find the negligent driver. You deserve compensation for the accident and a strong legal team will make sure you see it.
