You’re making a left turn when suddenly a truck hits your front bumper, flies past, and disappears down the road. Florida ranks third in the nation for hit and run accidents, averaging 3,300 accidents annually. What can you do if you are one of the victims?
First, call the police to the scene immediately, and if you can, take down the make, model, and license plate of the vehicle that hit you. You’ll need to give the police a detailed description of the vehicle and driver. With any luck, there are witnesses ready and willing to help, and if there are, be sure to get their contact information and have their statements included in the police report.
Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and the scene of the accident. Cell phone photos are fine if you don’t have a camera with you.
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, since there are often time limitations for reporting accidents.
If you’re injured, see a doctor as soon as you can and contact a personal injury attorney.
Understanding your own insurance policy is the first step you need to take when you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident. Your PIP will cover most of your medical bills and a little over half of your lost wages, if there are any, but you’ll still have to cover the percentages the PIP doesn’t pay. If you have other insurance, ask if your plan includes “uninsured motorist coverage.” If you have uninsured/underinsured coverage, you can recover damages from your own insurance company.
Learn More: Lost Wages – How to Get Compensation for Missed Work from an Auto Accident
