South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Earlier this month, Florida authorities arrested a man suspected of causing a fatal accident in Broward County back in April 2016. According to a local news report, the accident occurred in the evening hours, when the victims’ vehicle was stopped at a red light at East Oakland Park Boulevard and North Federal Highway.
Evidently, a driver came from behind the victims’ vehicle when it was stopped at the red light. The driver failed to stop in time and slammed into the rear of the vehicle, which was then pushed into several other nearby cars. Both the driver and the passenger in the stopped vehicle were pronounced dead shortly after the accident.
The at-fault driver exited his car and ran to a nearby business, where he took off his clothes. Patrons at a nearby bar later told authorities that they saw the half-naked man drinking other peoples’ drinks at the bar. Authorities later arrested the man and took him to the hospital for the treatment of the injuries he sustained in the accident. There was evidence suggesting that the man had smoked marijuana earlier in the day and may have been under the drug’s influence.
Evidently, the driver was then arrested but released on bail. Since then, he again eluded law enforcement until earlier this month, when he turned himself in to authorities. The man was held on $153,000 fully collateralized bail with the stipulation that if he does make bail, he will be placed on house arrest.
Florida Hit-and-Run Accidents
Those who have been injured in a Florida hit-and-run accident may have recourse, even though the driver who caused their injuries has not been arrested or charged. Under Florida law, all insurance companies must offer underinsured and uninsured motorist protection.
Through uninsured motorist protection, an accident victim may be able to proceed with a claim for damages in a Florida hit-and-run accident. If the hit-and-run driver is located before the claim has been settled or before the case has concluded, the injured motorist may be able to add that driver to the lawsuit. In the event that the driver is never located, the victim’s insurance company may then be responsible to cover the victim’s injuries, up to the policy limit of the insurance policy.
That being said, insurance companies are notorious for rejecting meritorious claims and for offering low-ball settlement offers early in the process in hopes of resolving the case for as little money as possible. That being the case, Florida accident victims are encouraged to discuss their case with a dedicated Florida injury attorney prior to filing.
Have You Been Injured in a Florida Hit-and-Run Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Florida car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated South Florida injury attorneys at the law firm of Cecere Santana have extensive experience representing Florida accident victims and their families in all types of Florida wrongful death and personal injury cases, including Florida DUI and hit-and-run accidents. To learn more, call 800-753-5529 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with an attorney today.
See Additional Blog Posts:
Pedestrian Bridge at Florida International University Collapses, Resulting in Six Fatalities, South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog, March 27, 2018.
Who Pays in Uber and Lyft Accidents?, South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog, published March 15, 2018.