According to statistics, 1 in 4 auto accidents in Florida involves a hit and run. So what constitutes a hit and run accident in Florida? What should you do if you are involved in a hit and run minor car accident? Let’s find out through the article below.
What Constitutes a Hit-and-Run in Florida?
A hit and run Florida accident occurs when a car hits a fixed object, person, or other vehicle and then speeds off without stopping to exchange information.
In Florida, it is illegal in Florida to flee the scene of an automobile accident. It can have significant consequences if you flee the scene of an accident, whether or not you believe you were at fault.
You might still be charged with a misdemeanor and have your license revoked for leaving the scene of what is essentially a hit and run accident even if you just caused little damage to the other person’s car in a minor collision.
What to Do If You’re a Victim of a Hit and Run
It is crucial to gather as much information as you can about the person who caused the accident if you were the victim of a hit-and-run. These are the top 4 things to do in a hit-and-run accident as a victim:
- Even though writing down their license plate number might not be easy at the time, this is an excellent piece of information if you can manage it. If not, try to memorize or write down information such as the car’s color, manufacturer, and model.
- Seek medical attention if you have been hurt, call for help from people nearby or go to the nearest hospital.
- Take note of any witnesses and record their details. To enable the police to start the investigation, make sure you get in touch with them as soon as possible.
- Lastly, you should think about hiring a personal injury lawyer who focuses on auto accidents, especially hit-and-run incidents.
What is Considered a Minor Car Accident in Florida?
If there are no significant injuries to any parties involved, no commercial vehicles are involved, and the property damage is less than $500, an automobile accident is usually deemed minor. A small auto collision can be determined if:
- In small incidents, the damage to a vehicle is usually limited to little dents or scrapes.
- After the accident, the victim’s health is usually unaffected and there is usually no immediate threat to life.
- The small injuries, which can include whiplash, minor scratches, or bruises, do not significantly endanger life.
These are only a few indicators of a small auto accident. A vehicle accident attorney can correctly determine your case if you are unsure.
Dealing with a Minor Car Accident with No Police Report
So, how to deal with a minor car accident no police report? In Florida, any traffic accident that causes injury or death or property damage must be reported to the police. If you are the victim of a crash and fall into one of the three situations above, you can do the following:
- Obtain all the essential information about the driver and the vehicle that struck you, such as name, address, registration number, insurance company, and pictures of both vehicles if you can. If you are unable to get this information, you can note down the details of the other vehicle’s appearance.
- Visit the closest police station and file a report of the accident to the police for them to look into. You should describe the extent of injury to yourself and your passengers, the amount of property damage, and the information you have gathered.
If you are the offending driver, here’s what you need to do to avoid your case becoming a hit-and-run and penalties increasing:
- As soon as the collision happens, bring your vehicle to a halt and check how badly the other party is hurt or their vehicle is damaged. Do not drive away from the scene of the accident, but make sure you are not blocking the traffic or putting yourself in danger.
- If the accident results in any injuries, you have to act quickly and get medical assistance for the wounded person. You can either dial 911 and request an ambulance, or you can drive the injured person to the closest hospital yourself if it is safe and feasible.
- The next step after a minor car accident is to share your personal and vehicle information with the other driver involved in the collision. This information includes your name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance company, and policy number. You should also get the same information from the other driver. This will help you file a claim with your insurance company or pursue legal action if necessary.
- The last step after a minor car accident is to report it to the police, as this is required by law and can help you avoid any legal troubles in the future. You can call the police department’s non-emergency line and ask for advice, or you can go to the nearest police station and file a report yourself. You should provide the police with the details of the accident, such as the time, location, parties involved, witnesses, injuries, damages, and insurance information. Reporting the accident to the police can also help you support your claim with your insurance company or in court, if necessary.
Seeking Legal Advice After a Minor Hit and Run Accident
You may think that you don’t need a lawyer for a minor car accident, as your insurance company can cover the costs. However, sometimes unexpected problems occur, or the situation may be worse than you first thought; in these instances, an auto accident lawyer can help you. The Browning Law Firm has a team of experienced injury attorneys who can help you get the most out of your accident claim and compensate for any losses caused by the accident.
Contact Browning Lawn Firm today for a free consultation and let them handle your case.