Nearly 1 in 5 drivers has been involved in a serious car crash that resulted in someone needing to go to the hospital, according to a 2016 report issued by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The same report found that 1 in 9 drivers has been seriously injured in a crash. Most of us imagine that we know what to do after we’re involved in a motor vehicle accident. Maybe we know it through personal experience. Maybe we’ve seen it depicted on television: Call the police, swap insurance information with the other driver, call the insurance company, get a copy of the police report, and so forth. What should you do, though, if the other driver doesn’t cooperate or if they end up fleeing the scene of an accident? What if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run?
Fleeing the scene of an accident is a serious crime and should not be taken lightly. The Florida Highway Patrol has designated February as Hit and Run Awareness month and created the campaign #StayAtTheSceneFL. They offer the following tips if you are involved in a hit and run accident:
- If you get into a crash, #StayAtTheSceneFL! Not only is it the law, but it ensures that those involved in the crash are safely assisted.
- Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime. Don’t risk significant fines or jail time.
- No matter what kind of crash they are involved in, drivers MUST stay at the scene and wait for law enforcement.
- See something, say something! Even the smallest amount of information can help solve a hit and run case.
- When you leave the scene of a crash, you could be leaving someone who needs critical medical attention.
Fleeing the scene of an accident in which one is involved is against the law in all 50 states and should be reported to the police. Findlaw.com references the car accident laws in each state. This site also states that penalties for leaving the scene of an accident include “fines and jail time and may be classified as either misdemeanors or felonies.”
Consider calling a personal injury lawyer for a consultation. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may have possibilities for obtaining compensation, even if the other driver is never held accountable for your injuries and fleeing the scene of an accident.
In the meantime, you still have bills to pay, and that’s why your next call should be to USClaims. If you’re having trouble meeting your expenses while waiting for a legal settlement or a judgment in car accident lawsuit, USClaims can help.
At USClaims, we offer pre-settlement funding, if a case is qualified for pre-settlement funding then we would purchase a portion of the proceeds of the anticipated court judgment or settlement for some cash now. USClaims only gets paid if a case is won or has reached a settlement! Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
