Car accidents can be very unexpected and very inconvenient. This is especially true if you get into a hit-and-run accident, where the culprit drove away right after colliding with you. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident where the other driver has fled the scene, here are some useful information that you will need in Florida.
Don’t chase them
After getting hit and seeing the driver attempting to escape, you may feel inclined to start chasing after them. This is something that you will certainly want to steer clear of when dealing with a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident.
If you chase after them, you will be messing up the accident scene, which could cause issues for your insurance company. Getting into a car chase is also very dangerous, especially since you are probably agitated and full of adrenaline. Getting into a high speed chase can lead to an even bigger car accident, except this time you will be at fault.
Write down details
Even though you cannot stop and ask them for their information, you should do your best to jot down everything you can remember about their car and the situation that led to the accident. If you can remember things such as what the driver looked like, the make and model of their car, the car’s license plate and anything else that could get used to identify the culprit. Information about what led to the accident is also very useful, as well as what the other driver did to cause the accident, as well as what the driver did after the accident, such as which direction they drove away in.
How will you get compensated
The type of insurance policy you have can determine the type of compensation you receive. Collision coverage will compensate you by covering the costs of the damage your car sustained, even if you are not able to catch the culprit. If you don’t have collision coverage, your car’s repairs might not get covered, but if you have personal injury protection, your medical expenses will get covered.
It’s illegal to flee from the scene of a car accident, so whoever hit your car would be in big trouble if the police apprehend them. Hit-and-run accidents can be a huge headache, but not catching the culprit does not mean you won’t be able to receive any sort of compensation.
