Under Florida state law, everyone involved in a traffic accident should stop at the scene, check to make sure everyone else is okay, and then exchange contact and insurance information with other involved parties before leaving the scene with permission from responding police officers. Anyone who fails to do any of these steps can face criminal charges for unlawfully leaving the scene of an accident, commonly known as a “hit-and-run.”
Unfortunately, hit-and-run car accidents in Pensacola tend to be uniquely challenging to seek civil restitution for, even if police ultimately tracked down the hit-and-run driver, and especially if they do not. Regardless, you have help from the seasoned auto accident lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon in exploring all your recovery options and maximizing your restitution.
What to Do After Someone Illegally Flees the Scene of a Wreck
While it is understandable to want to chase after the individual who caused you to get injured in a car crash and then illegally drove away, it is never a good idea to do so. Aside from putting yourself and others at risk of further harm, you can also face hit-and-run charges because you, too, broke the law to pursue someone.
Instead, the best course of action is to let the police worry about catching lawbreakers and focus your attention on strengthening a possible civil claim you can file over the incident by taking the following steps:
- Taking photos/videos of the accident scene and any vehicle damage
- Getting contact information from witnesses who saw the wreck happen
- Making note of nearby surveillance and dashboard cameras which may have captured the incident
- Writing down all identifying details you remember about the driver who committed the hit-and-run and their vehicle
Even if you do not need immediate emergency care after a hit-and-run car crash in Pensacola, you should still seek professional medical attention as soon as possible after the police release you from the scene.
Options for Financial Recovery Following a Hit-and-Run Accident
One bright side of Florida being a “no-fault” state when it comes to car collision litigation is that your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance should provide at least some restitution for losses stemming from a hit-and-run auto accident in Pensacola even if the police never catch the hit-and-run driver. Since this type of compensation is available on a “no-fault” basis, you do not need to prove that another person was at fault for the wreck—or even that you were not—to receive compensation.
If you sustained severe injuries that this basic insurance does not cover, you will have limited options for recovery if police cannot track down and identify the hit-and-run driver. If applicable, a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer can help you take advantage of other forms of coverage included in your policy, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Get Help from a Pensacola Attorney With a Hit-and-Run Auto Accident Claim
Few things are more infuriating than getting hurt in a traffic collision by someone who then tries to avoid legal responsibility for their actions. Whether or not the police can track down the person, you still have options for civil compensation after a hit-and-run car accident in Pensacola. A seasoned legal professional can assist you with this process.
After getting appropriate medical care, you should contact a car accident attorney from Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon as soon as possible after a hit-and-run wreck. Call today to schedule a meeting.
