Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents in Florida

Florida’s cities are growing at an unprecedented rate, which has led to more vehicles on the roads than ever. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in an increase in accidents not only between vehicles, but between motorists and pedestrians. Many of these accidents end up being categorized as hit and runs, with the at-fault driver fleeing the scene in an attempt to avoid being held responsible for the accident. Not only is this type of conduct unlawful, it is also extremely dangerous and can leave injured pedestrians in a tough spot financially when attempting to cover their medical bills and other losses.

Reporting the Accident 

Hit and run accidents occur when a driver who is involved in a crash flees the scene without rendering aid to the injured party or exchanging information. Although this is unlawful in Florida, it continues to occur at an alarming rate, a trend that is largely attributed to the increasing number of uninsured drivers in our state. This means that pedestrians who regularly walk in Florida should be aware of the steps they should take if involved in such an accident, the first of which is to report it to the police. By taking this step, accident victims can receive immediate medical assistance and the police can also begin working on the case right away, attempting to track down the vehicle and driver based on a description provided by the victim or eyewitnesses.

Seeking Medical Attention 

Pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles almost always result in some sort of injury, usually of a severe nature, which is why accident victims should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Besides obtaining immediate emergency treatment, this also includes closely following a doctor’s treatment plan and attending all follow-up appointments. Not only does this ensure that a victim will have the best possible chance of recovery (and create a record of diagnosis, treatment, and billing), it can keep insurers from claiming that a victim’s injuries were worsened by his or her own inaction.

Looking Into Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage 

If the at-fault driver of the vehicle is never identified, an injured pedestrian can still file a claim with his or her own PIP insurance provider. Unfortunately, with a maximum recovery amount of $10,000, these policy limits are often exceeded in pedestrian accident cases. This means that injured parties may need to look elsewhere for compensation, including their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which also covers losses suffered by pedestrians injured in collisions by hit and run drivers.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In the event that a hit and run driver is identified, injured pedestrians can file an insurance claim directly with that person’s insurer, or if necessary, can initiate a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Taking this step will usually require the help of an experienced attorney who can gather evidence, work with witnesses, and pursue the case in court.

Set Up a Meeting With Our Tampa Pedestrian Accident Attorneys 

Of the many types of personal injury cases we handle, those involving pedestrians and hit and run drivers are some of the most legally complex. An experienced lawyer can provide invaluable guidance throughout this process, giving you the best possible chance of filing a successful claim. Call us at  813-251-0072 to learn more about how the dedicated Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers at Anderson & Anderson can help you.

Sources: 

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22269520/

flhsmv.gov/insurance/