Miami-Dade County, FL — Hit-and-Run Crash Injures Miami Mother and Son
22AugMiami, FL (August 22nd, 2024) – The driver of an SUV that allegedly caused an injury crash fled the scene in Miami-Dade County on Thursday morning.
The driver’s SUV hit another car in the area of Northeast 191st Street and Seventh Avenue. The occupants of the vehicle struck, a mother and her son, suffered undisclosed injuries. They were in stable condition, but were transported to the hospital.
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Hit-and-Run Accidents in Florida
Drivers have an obligation to stay at the scene when they are involved in a crash, however, some may hit-and-run. When drivers flee accidents without taking the appropriate actions, it can leave victims with no one to hold liable for their losses.
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The steps you take after a hit-and-run accident are crucial to getting you the medical attention you need, and protecting your rights. While the path may not be clear from the outset, there are options for you to help find and hold the at-fault driver responsible, and to pursue financial compensation for your injury-related losses.
Immediate Steps
Immediately after getting into a hit-and-run accident, check yourself and the other occupants of your vehicle for injuries. If anyone needs emergent medical attention, call 911.
Even if you do not feel injured, or you think your injuries are minor, get examined by a doctor after a hit-and-run accident. Doing so can identify any internal trauma or other harm not immediately noticeable, as well as establish a record of your injuries, and when and how you suffered them.
Gather Evidence
Particularly in the event of a hit-and-run accident, it is essential to gather as much evidence as possible. Any details you can provide may help law enforcement track down the fleeing driver, which may allow him or her to be held criminally and civilly accountable.
If the other driver leaves the scene, you cannot exchange contact information. You may, however, try to note the license plate number. Additionally, information about the car, for example, the make, model, and color, can also be helpful after a hit-and-run crash in Florida.
Getting the contact information and statements from witnesses can also prove vital in hit-and-run accident cases. There may also be street or surveillance cameras that captured the events, or the vehicles before or after the wreck, that can serve as valuable evidence if the at-fault driver fled the scene of your crash.
File a Police Report
It may seem a formality, however, filing an accident with law enforcement after a hit-and-run crash is a crucial step. Reporting the collision to the authorities informs them that it occurred, and will initiate an investigation to attempt to identify the at-fault driver.
Having an official accident report can be helpful if you seek to recover damages for your losses. It may serve as evidence for your insurance carrier that the crash happened as you claim. If the fleeing driver is located, a personal injury lawyer may use the report as evidence in a civil claim for compensation on your behalf.
Do You Have Options for Seeking Compensation?
With unidentified at-fault drivers, recovering damages for hit-and-run injuries can be challenging. However, those who suffer harm in such situations may still have options to recover damages.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage claims may provide compensation for hit-and-run accident injuries. UM coverage is designed to protect policyholders if they get into wrecks with uninsured or underinsured drivers.
While required in some states, uninsured motorist coverage is an optional policy add-on in Florida. If you have this type of coverage, you may file a claim with your own insurance company after a hit-and-run crash to seek compensation for your injuries and property damage.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Personal injury protection provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from car accident injuries. PIP covers such losses, regardless of fault. Drivers in Florida are required to carry a minimum personal injury protection policy with coverage of up to $10,000.
Legal Action
If the at-fault driver is identified, you can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your injury-associated damages. With the help of a car accident lawyer, you may pursue a claim for losses, including medical bills, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If you or a loved one were involved in a hit-and-run accident in Florida, reach out to Magazine & Light Law Group today. Call 727-499-9900 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Board-certified, our car accident lawyer, Jim Magazine, has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients like you.