Hit and Run Auto Accidents in Fort Lauderdale: Why Drivers Flee the Scene and How to Hold Them Liable
Auto accidents in South Florida can cause serious injuries that require prompt medical treatment. When at-fault drivers flee the scene, it not only prevents victims from getting immediate care. It also prevents them from holding the driver liable.
What makes someone behave in such a reckless and uncaring manner? Our Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney explains why drivers often leave the scene and how to hold them liable for your losses.
Common Reasons At Fault Drivers Flee The Scene Of Car Accidents In South Florida
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports over 100,000 hit-and-run car accidents happen throughout the Sunshine State each year. Unfortunately, we have one of the highest rates in the country for these crashes. Considering the number of motorists in our area, residents of South Florida are at an increased risk.
Under the Florida Statutes, drivers must stop at the scene and report any crash resulting in property damages or personal injuries. So what makes a driver disregard this law and the potential suffering of impacted motorists? Among the most common reasons at-fault drivers flee the scene include:
- Driving without a license;
- Driving without a valid registration or insurance;
- Driving under the influence or while engaged in other reckless behavior;
- Concerns about outstanding warrants and fears of being apprehended by police;
- Immigration issues and fears of being detained or deported.
Regardless of the reason, fleeing the scene of a car accident in Fort Lauderdale is a serious crime and could deprive victims of getting needed medical care, which can have life-threatening consequences.
We Hold Hit-and-Run Drivers In South Florida Accountable
Even though the driver fled the scene, victims of hit-and-run accidents in Fort Lauderdale are not without options. Your insurance may cover portions of your costs, and you can hold the at-fault driver liable by filing a lawsuit against them. However, the first step is locating them. Actions our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney takes to identify hit-and-run drivers in South Florida so they can be held accountable in a claim include:
- Reviewing police reports and working with law enforcement investigations;
- Questioning witnesses, who may be able to provide key details about the driver’s identity;
- Reviewing dash cam footage and surveillance videos from nearby traffic signals or businesses to get a description of the vehicle or the plate number;
- Talking to mechanics at repair shops in the area, who may have encountered the driver and their vehicle.
Once we identify the driver, we can take them to court and enforce payment through wage garnishment, asset seizure, and other actions.
Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Auto Accident Attorney Today
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in South Florida, you need to act quickly to protect your rights in a claim. Boone & Davis takes the swift actions necessary to identify these drivers and hold them accountable. To get the compensation you need to recover, contact our office. Request a consultation today with our experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney.
Sources:
flhsmv.gov/2023/02/01/hit-and-run-crashes-on-florida-roads-average-over-103000-per-year-drivers-urged-to-stay-at-the-scene/
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.061.html
