Hit-and-run accidents are often considered mere traffic violations. They are distressing events that can have long-lasting impacts on both victims and their families. In the bustling streets of Florida, where every corner tells a unique story, understanding what evidence is needed to convict a hit-and-run becomes not just a legal necessity but a quest for immediate justice.
If you were injured due to a hit-and-run accident in Florida, you will definitely need solid evidence to file an insurance claim. Your Personal Injury Protection policy provides a small amount of coverage, regardless of the specific circumstances. PIP never covers all aspects of the costs of serious accident-related injuries. When you need to collect evidence, time is of the essence, so you must speak with our car accident attorneys from Florida as soon as possible.
The evidence that you require after a hit-and-run accident depends on the type of insurance claim that you are going to file. You will never know it until you have potentially identified the driver who hit you. Suppose you are able to locate the hit-and-run driver. In that case, you might have a claim under his or her insurance policy(assuming he or she has coverage) or possibly against his or her employer(if he or she was working at the time of the accident). If you fail to identify the hit-and-run driver, you will need to rely on your uninsured motorist coverage, if available.
3 Key Aspects of Proving a Hit and Run in Florida
To understand why the type of claim you can file is always essential for determining what evidence you need, we will take a look at three key aspects of proving a hit and run in Florida.
Proving that You Were Involved in a Hit and Run Accident
When you have a claim for a hit-and-run accident, the initial step is simply proving that you were involved in a hit-and-run. Suppose you are able to prove that you were involved in a hit-and-run (and that the other driver was at fault). In that case, you can definitely file an uninsured/underinsured car accident claim even if it isn’t possible to identify the at-fault driver.
By keeping this in mind, some of the essential types of evidence that are found in a hit-and-run accident case are similar to those used in other types of accident cases. For instance, to prove that you are entitled to coverage, your Florida car accident attorney may be able to use evidence like this.
The Damage Caused to Your Vehicle
The location and extent of the damage that your car, truck, or SUV has sustained will be helpful in showing that you were hit by another vehicle.
Forensic Evidence from the Crash Site
Tire marks, damaged signposts or guard rails, damaged vegetation, and other forms of forensic evidence from the crash site could prove that you got hit as well.
Witness Testimony
If anyone witnessed your hit-and-run accident, they can testify in support of your claim for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Photos or Videos
If your hit-and-run accident was captured on video, or if any witnesses took photos or videos of the other driver speeding away, this can also be key evidence in support of your insurance claim.
In certain instances, various other forms of evidence may also be available. The circumstances surrounding your accident could demonstrate that someone else was responsible for causing the collision. For instance, if you got rear-ended, this in itself could be evidence that the driver who hit you was at fault. Likewise, if you got hit by a driver who crossed the center line, being able to prove that you were on your side of the road at the time of impact could be a key factor in your case.
Proving Who Hit You and Fled the Scene of the Accident
If you can prove who hit your car, then you don’t have to rely on your insurance coverage. Unless other coverage is unavailable, unfortunately, a large percentage of drivers in Florida are uninsured. As a result, identifying a hit-and-run driver can often be challenging; an experienced Florida car accident attorney can piece together various pieces of evidence to make an identification.
For instance, witness testimony, photos, and videos can aid in many cases. If you can recall any details about the vehicle that hit you, please share as many as possible with our attorney from Abercrombie P.A. If the police are investigating, our attorney can work with them to gather additional information. Our attorneys can also check to see if anyone has posted anything about the accident on social media.
Proving the Damages You Are Entitled to Recover
Regardless of whether it is possible to identify the hit-and-run driver, seeking coverage for your injuries will require evidence of the damages that you are entitled to recover. The evidence also takes many different forms. For instance, to prove that you are entitled to coverage outside of PIP, our car accident attorneys may need to present evidence like
- Medical records
Receipts for other accident-related expenses
- Employment records
Employment records provide proof of your pain and suffering.
Dealing with a hit-and-run accident can be pretty frustrating by nature. It is essential not to give up hope. If the accident wasn’t your fault, your legal rights are generally clear, although there are no guarantees. Nevertheless, our experienced car accident attorneys at Abercrombie P.A. can still assist you in several ways.
It is essential to note that hiring a car accident attorney incurs no out-of-pocket costs. You should hire an attorney to investigate your accident case for free, and regardless of whether your legal practitioners can identify the hit-and-run driver, you don’t have to pay anything unless your attorneys help you recover just compensation.
Concluding Thoughts
In Florida, if you were injured due to a hit-and-run accident, we strongly recommend that you contact Abercrombie P.A. immediately for more information. Our car accident attorneys will investigate your accident immediately and help you understand your options based on the available evidence. To arrange a complimentary consultation with our car accident attorney, please contact us as soon as possible.
