Two people reportedly crashed into a bus bench in North Miami on 125th Street near Northeast 12th Avenue, according to wsvn.com. Four people, including an 11-year-old girl, suffered serious injuries and had to be transported to the hospital. The drivers who caused this terrible incident took off running and were not apprehended. Our team of Miami car accident attorneys are always troubled when we read about these awful, preventable incidents.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and North Miami Police responded to the scene of the collision and were told that two young men got out of the car and started running south down Northeast 11th Place towards the train tracks. Despite their evasion, the car involved in the incident was not totally destroyed and was towed away. This means, if the license plate is intact, North Miami Police should be able to track down who owns the vehicle.
What an Injured Person Can Do in This Situation
Imagine being one of these innocent individuals who was just sitting at the bus stop waiting for a ride. In the blink of an eye, a vehicle comes crashing onto them resulting in significant physical injuries. The four injured individuals in this incident likely have legal grounds to pursue a personal injury claim, but who do they go after when those responsible have fled the scene?
Fortunately, there are still ways to pursue restitution. First and foremost, a copy of the accident report and other investigatory documents should be obtained. The attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz, PA can help you with this. Those documents should contain information about who actually owns the vehicle that crashed into the bus stop. Once that information is established, an investigation into whether the vehicle was insured can be done.
If the vehicle is insured, a letter should be sent to the auto insurance company notifying them of your intent to file a claim of personal injury against the owner’s policy.
What if There is No Insurance Coverage?
Unfortunately, some drivers decide to throw caution to the wind and operate a vehicle without insurance. In fact, Florida is one of the states with the highest uninsured driver populations, with nearly 20 percent of its drivers lacking automobile liability insurance coverage.
If it turns out that the vehicle has no insurance coverage, you need to review your own auto insurance policy and see if you have “uninsured motorist coverage.” Insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage, but they are not legally obligated to provide such coverage if you decide not to purchase it.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can pursue restitution by filing a claim against your own policy for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Filing a UIM claim will not cause your insurance premiums to increase, according to Florida Statute 627.727.
Contact an Experienced Miami Car Accident Lawyer Today
As you can see, pursuing restitution in a situation involving a hit-and-run driver can get complicated. This is why you should contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA for a free, confidential consultation. By hiring a qualified Miami personal injury attorney, you will be taking an important step to ensure your legal rights are protected and that you are properly compensated for your losses.