If you do notice damage that was not pre… It is crucial that all individuals involved in a crash, including witnesses to a crash, contact 911 and remain at the scene until help arrives. Witnesses told troopers that the student hit by a black Acura. The police will run the vehicle information through a database using the tag and VIN (vehicle identification number). Misdemeanor hit-and-run crimes are punishable with 60 days … After over 80,000 Florida hit and run accidents took place in 2014 alone, statistics further showed that fatal hit-and-run car crashes saw a 23% increase from the previous year. * A note about fraud: Some drivers hit an object and try to claim that they were the victim of a hit and run, so you want to be able to prove that you are not attempting fraud yourself. free and confidential consultation. Hit and run does not simply describe one possible event. In addition, according to certain State laws, you may receive criminal punishment including jail time, exorbitant fines, and other penalties, usually varying by what type of accident, the amount of damage, and other factors. The company may only bring about the smallest possible settlement, despite paying the insurer monthly. The driver faces two felony charges after turning into oncoming traffic and fleeing the scene. or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. However, if that other driver runs away, unidentified, the victim cannot file a claim with the driver’s insurer. 6991 N. STATE ROAD 7 | 2ND FLOOR, Copyright © 2021 Zimmerman & Frachtman, P.A. Since the plate number is usually how police officers January 8, 2020. 6625 Miami Lakes Drive In light of this, victims of hit-and-run accidents need to take gradual steps toward recuperating their much needed resources. Leave the scene, and there could be criminal charges. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that uninsured motorist coverage is not a state auto insurance requirement. Otherwise, commit details like the color, make, and model of the car to memory or write them down if you can. The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash on Napiers Circle and Pasteur Drive at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday. Call What happens if your car did not actually come into contact with any other car involved in the crash? Make sure that you contact the police quickly, so that they can begin the investigation process. 7 News WSVN. In Florida, a hit and run is defined as the failure of the driver to remain at the site of a vehicle crash and fulfill the statutory requirements when the crash involves property damage, bodily injury, or death. Either way, Florida law requires "The hardest part of a hit-and-run (investigation) is that you have to have enough evidence to put the person accused behind the wheel," Laurie said. “In a stressful and confusing time Eric was like a breeze of fresh air.”. If you were involved in a “hit and run” in Hillsborough County, Polk County, Pasco County or Hernando County, FL, then your case might be investigated by troopers in Troup C of the Florida Highway Patrol. Damage. By: Hank Stout; Published: April 2017; Hit-and-run crashes can be some of the most frustrating and stressful incidents in a person’s life, especially if they are hurt or they have to fight their insurance company to pay for the resulting vehicle damage. Making matters more complicated, in 2015 the Florida Supreme Court ruled drivers in Florida will no longer be prosecuted for abandoning the site of an auto accident unless proof exists that they were aware of being in a crash. During the course of a given investigation, this forensic expert will employ various scientific methods to determine if the injuries claimed are consistent with the circumstances of the accident. The difference between the two types is whether or not you are present when the crash happens. When a hit and run accident occurs, this expert will be focused on following up … Some states suspend or even cancel the license of individuals who engage in a hit and run accident—sometimes even a permanent revocation of a license is a consequence. If you notice any witnesses, get their information. About George Lorenzo. Eric Matheny today and schedule an appointment for a In Florida, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, or “hit and run,” is defined as the failure of a driver to remain at the site of a vehicle crash and fulfill other statutory duties, when the crash at issue involves death, bodily injury, or property damage. Many hit … Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual Call us today at (305) 504-6655. Many hit and runs occur because the driver panics. you find yourself in such a situation. second-degree misdemeanor in the State of Florida, unless serious bodily injury or death results. a letter in the mail from the investigating police department within 5 It may significantly help accident victims to seek advice so that they can properly tackle a Florida hit and run situation. We believe everyone deserves high-quality legal representation at an affordable rate. It is important to not flee the scene of a car accident. you to remain at the scene of an accident, or if the other vehicle is Filing a Police Report. Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Vehicle Insurance Questions and Answers.”. In fact, there are a wide range of situations in which a motor vehicle operator might leave the scene of an accident. If you have been the victim of a hit and run, you should remain calm and suppress the urge to chase after the driver of the other car. case or situation. minor or maybe the car was unattended. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense and the penalties We have all heard accidents referred to as “hit and run,” whether it is in the context of a traffic report, a news story, or even on procedural crime television shows. of video surveillance. When a hit and run accident occurs, this expert will be focused on following up on the outcome and penalizing those at fault. even if you weren't the driver. In fact, the offense is now a second-degree felony, which warrants a compulsory sentence of no less than four years for any driver found guilty of leaving the scene of a fatal car crash. 33014 A hit and run accident is an illegal driving maneuver where the individual who is responsible for causing the accident fails to stop and identify himself or herself afterwards. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the outcome, a hit and run will be charged with a crime and may result in either misdemeanor charges or felony charges being brought against the perpetrator. We are providing our current and potential clients with the same quality legal service for your personal injury claims. else was driving it at the time. Understandably, insurance companies can be complex and intimidating to handle. Who May Seal and Who May Expunge in Florida, Possession of Cannabis Less Than 20 Grams, Public Assistance Fraud Investigations Criminal. If the accident involved Florida law requires drivers to stay at the scene of a crash and render reasonable aid until authorities arrive. Florida’s laws on hit and run changed dramatically on July 1, 2014. In response to the dramatic increase of Florida hit and run accidents, in 2016 Governor Rick Scott signed a law enhancing penalties for those who partake in hit-and-run behavior. 19-year-old arrested after fatal hit-and-run in Miami Gardens. You are under investigation for a crime and any statement that you give The penalties for hit-and-run in Florida are serious. Miami Lakes, FL 33014. Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be very stressful, and we want to make the legal process as smooth as possible for you. This is especially true in cases of DUI manslaughter. In addition to the fact that you have no way of knowing the state of mind of the individual that struck you, you may also yourself not be a safe driver in the aftermath of a car accident. Seleccione aquí para Español. Maybe the damage was At this point, unfortunate accident victims are left in the dark on what their options are. If the hit and run just involves minor property damage, expect to receive Every life matters and every second counts.”. For those who engage in hit and run behaviors in an accident, it is important to know that there are a number of severe legal consequences that go along with being found guilty of the offense. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS February 17, 2020 at 6:17 pm. They will get an address. If an individual is injured in an accident and the other individual who was involved in the accident stays, information on auto insurance can be collected. Punishments for a Hit and Run in Florida Penalties for hit and run drives were changed on July of 2014 when the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act was signed in Florida law. Incredibly, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that almost half of the victims involved were pedestrians. Information about the hit and run investigation can be found on FHP’s Live Traffic Feed for reports on crashes and road conditions. In total, there were 80,000 hit and runs. To help halt the rise in Florida hit and run accidents, in 2017 the Florida Highway Patrol designed a special expert position for a staff member that will be dedicated to this one type of crash. Due to that, this article should not be taken as legal advice but rather it is a quick look into a hit-and-run accident. Most importantly, doing your part to notify authorities can possibly save the other driver’s life. Though, many individuals are unaware of what their insurance policy carries, or they just forget what their policies carry. Location. Attorney Eric M. Matheny has been named among the “Best Criminal Lawyers in Miami” three years in a row: 2017, 2018 and 2019, by Expertise.com. A featured commentator on The Rick Jensen Show on WDEL, on the radio program “Let's Talk About,” and in the Miami New Times, Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, and other publications. Miami Lakes, Don’t lie, guess, or try to fill in information. The unit is responsible for conducting administrative and criminal investigations designed to detect, deter, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, and other abuses. Florida law also imposes a duty to render aid if the other party appears to be hurt and in need of emergency help. Can you be charged with “hit and run” if your vehicle never “hit” anything? The definition is not dependent on the presence of passengers—or even necessarily the collision of two cars. If you find yourself involved in a crash, Major Welsh urges drivers to stay at the scene of the accident and call authorities to make a report. to other means of identification, such as red-light cameras or other forms Defending The Injured™ All rights reserved. The statute is named after a 31-year-old cyclist, husband and father of two, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver who fled the scene of the accident in February 2012. is the most sensible thing you can do for yourself and your future if The crash report says a driver in a white Dodge Ram Laramie pickup truck was traveling south on the ramp to get to I-435 when they struck the Impala and then hit the Traverse from behind. Even if you are at fault for the collision, taking responsibility will save you the possibility to fines, jail time, and having your license revoked. death or serious bodily injury, expect for an arrest warrant to be issued. According to law enforcement officials, anyone associated with a motor vehicle incident should do the following: These distressing circumstances are unfortunately common for many people today, and these situations can get increasingly complex. If you hit a car that is unattended, you should contact the authorities to advise them of the incident, as well as leaving behind a note with the proper insurance and identification information. Leaving the scene of an accident involving another vehicle, property or a pedestrian is considered to be a hit and run. In Florida, if a driver is involved in an auto accident there is a duty to stop. a Florida personal injury law firm. They will gather evidence including witness statements, victim statements, photographs of the scene, and any other available evidence such as video footage. You can call or email me at my Tampa office and I will talk with you about your options. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- The Florida Highway Patrol has released new video that shows what an alleged hit and run driver did immediately after a devastating collision. In Florida, between 2013 and 2014, the state’s fatal hit and run crashes increased by 23 percent. It’s okay to say you don’t know something. Keep in mind, if you are in a car accident, that no matter how bad the accident itself is, fleeing the accident will only make matters worse. The investigation into the hit and run that killed a Redding man crossing the street in his wheelchair is still underway. Police may attempt to visit you at home or send you a letter in the mail. Our firm keeps your future in mind and always protects your rights. Taking this into account, retaining a lawyer The Telegraph 'It is a good vaccine': European countries criticised for suspending AstraZeneca as Bulgaria and Thailand delay jab. The insurer will assign a claims adjuster to investigate your accident. March 3, 2019, 7:28 AM . A hit and run driver may face the following charges and penalties if the accident includes: Medical Malpractice / Pharmaceutical Error, please contact the experienced attorneys at Zimmerman & Frachtman, Insurance Coverage / Insurance Litigation, Get as much information from the driver as possible, Attempt to sketch the scene to keep track of the vehicle crash locations. Talk to a Florida lawyer who handles hit-and-run accidents. Furthermore, drivers who partake in hit-and-run behavior may also face revocation of their license for three years, in accordance with the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act. Crash victims have an array of things to worry about like missing time from work, burdening medical expenses, and costly vehicle damage. -7 days of the accident. By 2017, this number had further grown to roughly 99,000 hit-and-run accidents per year, representing yet another 23% increase—albeit over three years. immediately upon learning that your car was involved in a hit and run. Arrest made in Florida hit-and-run that left 19-year-old in critical condition. and consequences can be further heightened if there are deaths or injuries These crashes occur most often in parking lots and public garages. The law ups the mandatory minimum sentencing for drivers involved in non-fatal hit-and-run crashes to four years- double the prison time formerly assigned for the crime. A An attorney can explain what police may do in a hit and run accident investigation and how this investigation … Hit and run accidents occur when a driver of another vehicle intentionally leaves the scene of the accident without providing any information. If you hit a car in a parking lot and flee the scene without identifying yourself to the car’s owner in some way, or without contacting the police to advise them of the accident, you could be found guilty of a hit and run. Under Florida law, leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense. Florida Statute Section 316.027 applies to drivers leaving the scene of a crash. Almost any type of accident can be considered hit and run, which is not widely known. If you have more questions involving a pedestrian accident or an auto accident that resulted because of a hit and run situation, please contact the experienced attorneys at Zimmerman & Frachtman today to learn more about your options and what we will be able to do for you. Generally, there are two ways in which a hit-and-run crash could occur. unattended, leave a note with your name, phone number, and insurance information. The adjuster will read the police report and may conduct a separate investigation of his or her own.