Tallahassee Hit & Run Accident Attorney

In Florida, as in all other states, drivers are required by law to stop and remain at the scene after an accident. This is true whether the accident involves another motorist, a pedestrian or bicyclist, or private or public property. Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to identify oneself and provide reasonable aid to others involved is known as a “hit-and-run,” and it is punishable by various criminal penalties.

Victims of hit-and-run accidents are often overwhelmed—and understandably so. Any car accident can cause significant distress, but when the other driver flees the scene, you are bound to feel confused, angry, and upset. At Shapiro Law Firm, P.A., we understand how devastating it is to be injured in a hit-and-run, and we believe that you deserve justice. Led by our founding attorney, Paul Shapiro, our team can help you understand your options and begin building a case designed to protect your rights.

If you were injured in a hit-and-run, contact Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. at (850) 629-7226 for a free consultation with our Tallahassee hit-and-run accident attorney.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

The first thing you should do after any motor vehicle accident is seek immediate medical attention. If necessary, call 911 and wait for paramedics to arrive. Never attempt to move anyone (including yourself) who appears severely injured unless it is absolutely necessary for the person’s safety to do so.

Even if you do not believe your injuries are serious, or if you believe you were not injured whatsoever in the crash, it is still important that you see a doctor as soon as possible for several reasons. First, some accident-related injuries may not appear for hours, days, or even weeks after the crash. For your own health and well-being, you should always be checked out by a medical professional to ensure any underlying or masked injuries are promptly diagnosed and treated.

Secondly, Florida follows a no-fault system when it comes to car accidents. Under this system, you typically seek compensation for accident-related injuries through your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, to be eligible to file a PIP claim, you must seek medical care within 14 days of the accident. If you do not see a doctor or receive some other form of professional medical care within two weeks of the hit-and-run accident, you will almost certainly be ineligible to file a claim for compensation.

Report the Accident to Law Enforcement

Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime in Florida. As such, you should report the hit-and-run accident to local law enforcement as soon as possible. Often, the easiest way to do this is to call 911 or contact local police and have them come out to the scene of the crash. Once onsite, the police can fill out a report on your behalf.

Florida law requires you to report any car accident that does not necessitate a police report within 10 days. An accident requires a police report when it leads to bodily injury or death, results in such extensive damage to a vehicle that it is inoperable, involved a commercial vehicle, or involved a motorist who fled the scene. In other words, all hit-and-run accidents must be reported to law enforcement in the state of Florida.

When giving your report to the police, try to provide as many details as possible about the accident, including but not limited to:

• The make, model, and year of the other person’s vehicle
• The color of the other person’s vehicle and any distinguishing features it had
• A description of the other driver (approximate age, sex, height, hair color, etc.)
• When and where the accident happened
• Details leading up to the crash, such as the actions of the other driver
• Statements and contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident

You should be clear, honest, and direct when reporting the accident to the police but refrain from assigning or admitting fault. Remember, only a thorough investigation of the crash can reveal exactly what happened and who was to blame.