Florida Ranks 3rd in The Country for Hit and Run Accidents
A hit and run accident can be a traumatizing event, especially if you aren’t able to take action. Unfortunately, Florida ranks 3rd in the country in hit and run accidents. The good news is, there are ways to get what you deserve if you’ve been the victim of a hit and run accident in Florida.
The Numbers
The past few years have shown an increase in hit and run accidents nationwide, but there are three states that are ranked the worst: New Mexico, Louisiana and Florida. In 2006, Florida had a total of 195 hit and run accidents involving at least one fatality. This number dropped significantly in 2010 and 2011, but it’s now risen past the original mark to 206.
In 2016, there were 2049 hit and run accidents that involved at least one fatality. Of these 2049 hit and run accidents, 380 of the victims were drivers, 229 were passengers, 1,229 were pedestrians, 169 were bicyclists, and 42 were classified as other/unknown type.
A Daily Risk
Hit and run accidents often occur between a driver and a pedestrian. People often flee from the scene of the accident because they’re scared of the repercussions that may come their way, especially if they’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The truth is, you’re taking a gamble every time you’re talking alongside traffic, whether you’re on a sidewalk or in a parking lot. There are a lot of things that can distract drivers, and distracted drivers often make mistakes. The important thing to remember is that you have a case if you’re in a hit and run accident, so your best course of action is to try to get any information you can about the vehicle or driver, which may mean asking witnesses at the scene.
Getting Help
Hit and run accidents happen fairly often in Florida, unfortunately. If you’ve recently been the victim of an auto-related accident, you need an experienced lawyer to help you get what you deserve. Give the The Troutman Law Firm a call at (407) 647-5002 to talk about your case today.