Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Any car accident is scary, but hit-and-run car crashes can be especially devastating. Unfortunately, hit and run car crashes in Homestead and other communities are all too common. They occur for many reasons. In some cases, perpetrators are driving without a license or without insurance and don’t wish to be caught by police. In other cases, perpetrators are driving drunk or have broken the law and don’t want to be caught. In some situations, perpetrators simply panic.
No matter what the reason, it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident. However, each year car and pedestrian accidents in Homestead and across the country occur in just this manner. If you have been hit by a driver who then drives off, your first priority is to get medical help if you have been injured. One of the reasons hit-and-run car accidents are so devastating is because the perpetrator hasn’t stopped to offer assistance to anyone who may be injured. In some cases, this leads to fatalities because someone may be too injured to call for help on their own.
You will also want to contact police immediately. A hit-and-run accident is a crime and you want to file a police report. Police may be able to find the perpetrator in some cases.
Your next priority will be to gather any evidence or information about the person who has left the scene of the crime. Get the contact information of any witnesses and write down any information or details you remember about the car, such as the license plate number, the make color and model, and any other details you remember.
Even if the other driver doesn’t stay to exchange insurance information, you may be covered if you have underinsured or underinsured coverage on your own insurance policy. If you don’t have this coverage, consider adding it to your coverage today. It can be immensely helpful if you’re ever involved in an accident with someone who is uninsured, underinsured or doesn’t say at the scene of the accident.
One call you will want to make shortly after your accident is to a personal injury attorney in Homestead or your community. A personal injury attorney with experience in car accident cases may have investigators they can call for evidence gathering in your case. He or she may also be able to launch a claim against any liable parties who can be found. Finally, a personal injury attorney and insurance attorney may be able to help you resolve the claim with your insurance company if you do have underinsured or underinsured coverage but are having trouble getting insurance after your accident.
If you would like to speak to a personal injury attorney or insurance attorney in southern Florida, contact the law offices of Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our offices in Homestead, Hollywood, and Miami are always available to those who have been injured.