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According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2015, there were more than 92,000 hit and run crashes in Florida. Of those 92,000 hit and run crashes, there were more than 19,000 injuries, with over 1,200 of those involving serious bodily injury.

The Department offers even more shocking facts:

• Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to hit and run crashes. In fact, there were 186 hit and run fatalities in 2015, over half of which were pedestrians.
• In 2015, 18-27 year olds received over a third of all hit and run citations issued, 70 percent of which were written for males.
• Approximately one out of every four pedestrian crashes resulted in the driver leaving the scene.

Because of the high rate of pedestrians involved in hit and run crashes in Florida it is critically important that safety steps are taken by pedestrians.

• Obey all traffic laws. As a road user, pedestrians should always obey the traffic laws to be safe on the road. If no sidewalks are present, walk against the direction of traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles.
• Always use the crosswalk. The marked crosswalk at intersections where signals are present is the safest place to cross.
• Look then look again. Look left, right, then left again before crossing.
• Be visible. Wear bright colors and reflective accessories such as belts, clothes, wristbands and shoes.

After the Hit and Run

Being in a car accident is incredibly stressful and when the person causing the accident leaves the scene, things can turn into a nightmare. The first thing to do after being in an accident is to try to remain calm.

DMV.org recommends that if you are involved in a hit and run crash get as much information as you can about the car that hit you, such as the model, make and license plate number. You will also want to note the location and time that the accident took place.

After the crash, immediately contact the police and, if necessary, seek medical attention. Also, it is always important after any accident to take pictures or video of the car and damage to any property. Be sure to jot down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Finally, get an experienced attorney involved to help ensure that those responsible are held liable.

Penalties

Penalties for leaving the scene of an accident are steep.

• Leaving the scene resulting in death: 1^st degree felony, minimum 4-year prison term
• Leaving the scene resulting in serious bodily injury: 2^nd degree felony
• Leaving the scene resulting in injury: 3^rd degree felony

You will also lose your license for a minimum of three years for any of these offenses. Of course, doing any of these while intoxicated will lead to even harsher penalties.

Get Legal Help

After any hit and run accident resulting in injury, it is critically important to get medical help prior to seeking legal guidance from Fort Myers personal injury attorney Randall Spivey and his team. An experienced personal injury attorney can help secure evidence, work with police and insurance companies, and support you through the entire legal process. Contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.