A Fort Pierce hit-and-run accident Saturday night left a woman dead and the police searching for clues for the driver responsible. TCPalm.com reports the 32-year-old mother of two was crossing U.S. 1 around 9 p.m. Saturday when she was struck by a vehicle. Police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.
According to a 2009 article in Time magazine, South Florida was the worst area in the country for hit-and-run accidents. The article cites a study by Transportation for America reporting an unusually high number of pedestrian deaths in Florida at the time. “What’s still alarming in states like Florida is the frequency of hit-and-run deaths. Most U.S. counties see only a handful of them each year; but Miami-Dade County in the past decade has seen as many as 46,” according to the article.
The article cites reasons ranging from lack of public transportation, to inadequate sidewalks, to a “reckless culture” among some drivers in the state.
In Florida, drivers involved in an automobile accident that results in an injury are required by law to stop and stay at the scene of the accident until excused by the responding police officer, or all appropriate identifying information is exchanged with others in the accident if a police officer is not present. Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident can be charged with a felony that could result in loss of driver’s license, jail time, fines or community service.
A South Florida Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation
Receiving the appropriate insurance payment for hit-and-run accidents can be complicated. Florida’s “no-fault” accident regulations mean that the insurance company of the person injured in a hit-and-run accident is responsible for covering the damages. In addition, if someone injured in a hit-and-run carries uninsured / underinsured coverage they may be able to recover damages under these terms. However, collecting this insurance can be difficult. Contacting a South Florida car accident attorney is important to ensure you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Our Florida car accident attorneys have seen the devastation that hit-and-run accidents can cause victims and their families. In addition to physical and emotional pain, many families suffer financially when trying to meet the high costs of medical care resulting from an accident.
Hit-and-run drivers must be stopped and punished. We encourage law enforcement and state lawmakers to do what is necessary to get these reckless drivers off the road. We also ask anyone who witnesses a hit-and-run accident to provide the police with the information to bring these criminals to justice.
Contact an Experienced Florida Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida hit-and-run car accident, seek experienced counsel. I am attorney Philip DeBerard. I have three decades of legal experience representing people injured in car accidents and other personal injury claims.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, represents victims of car accidents and automobile crashes in Stuart, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach and Vero Beach. If character traits such as integrity, dedication and compassion are what you seek in an accident lawyer, call Philip DeBerard. Choosing the right accident lawyer does make a difference.
Call 1-800-299-8878 to speak with a knowledgeable Florida car accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
