Just last week, a 13-year-old boy was arrested in Miami Beach after he stole his stepfather’s black Cadillac, caused a serious accident injuring two women and a 3-month-old baby, then fled the scene of the accident. According to the arrest report, the teen was making a left turn onto Dickens Avenue when he struck all three victims in the crosswalk. Immediately after colliding with the victims, the Police said the teen reversed the vehicle and began to travel west on 77th Street. Luckily, a witness followed the teen and called 911. Police further said that the suspect continued driving until he was stopped by an officer. Once Police turned on their sirens, the teen got out the vehicle, held his hands in the air, and was taken into custody. The three accident victims were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center as they sustained serious injuries. Police stated that Yolanda Fajardo, 51, suffered a laceration to the head and a fractured hip. Another victim, Carol Gutierrez, 21, suffered minor bruising to the buttocks. The three-month-old was also injured with multiple contusions on her face. Fortunately, all of the accident victims will survive the accident.
More on Hit & Run Accidents in Miami
A hit and run accident is when the driver who caused the accident, flees the scene of the crash before law enforcement arrives, and/or fails to render assistance to the injured party. If there were severe personal injury or death, like the case here, the hit and run driver would face felony charges. If only property damage arose as a result of the hit-and-run, the driver who fled the scene would only face a misdemeanor charge.
People who flee the scene of an accident do so for a variety of reasons. Panic and anxiety kicks in, especially if the driver has been drinking or if their driving faculties are otherwise impaired. In fear of a DUI charge, the driver who fled, elects to run rather than face the consequences. In many cases, the hit and run driver may not have a valid drivers license, like the case here, or do they carry the legal minimum requirement for car insurance coverage. Such cases require zealous representation to ensure the rights of the victim are protected.
It is important to know that in a hit and run accident, even if the other driver is never found, you may be able to collect damages from your own insurance company. You should review your auto insurance policy to see if you purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This provision protects individuals who are involved in an accident with a driver that does not have enough coverage to pay for damages, or if the motorist was uninsured.
UM/UIM coverage will also provide damages in the event of a hit and run. Working with your insurance company is not always a simple task. Even if you purchased UM/UIM coverage on your policy, there are a series of very specific rules under Florida law to recover money from your insurance company due to your injuries in a hit and run accident.
At the Aigen Injury Law, we understand the devastation a hit-and-run accident causes and we are fully prepared to zealously advocate to make sure your legal rights are upheld. If you have found that you or someone you know may require a Miami Auto Accident Attorney, the Aigen Injury Law is here to assist you. We understand that in this moment, especially when there is a death, that litigation may not be on your mind. However, your lawyer at Aigen Injury Law will be available to guide you, protect your rights, answer all your questions, and fight to ensure that you maximize your recovery against all responsible parties. Please do not hesitate to submit an online FREE CASE REVIEW. At Aigen Injury Law, an experienced lawyer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week working relentlessly on behalf of victims who suffer from all types of accidents. We offer a free consultation for your personal injury case and there is no fee unless we recover for you.