A female pedestrian was hit by a car and thrown into a ditch in a hit-and-run accident. Then the hit-and-run driver left her in the mud and water crying for help. This happened after 6 am, Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in Polk County.
Fortunately for the hit-and-run victim, another pedestrian a grade school girl was walking to her bus stop and heard the screaming. She ran to a nearby house to get an adult who called the victim’s mother who lived nearby. This left many, including her mother, outraged at the hit-and-run driver.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Polk County Sheriff’s office at 863-298-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-TIPS (8477). Police are searching for an SUV which will likely have recent front end damage. The SUV may be a Chevy Tahoe, Suburban or GMC Yukon.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Victims of hit-and-run accidents often feel twice victimized. First by the collision and then by the fleeing driver who left them injured and without any help. However, it’s more than just feelings because being a victim of a hit-and-run can make your injuries more severe. This is because there is no one there to call for help or give fist aid. In many accidents where the at-fault person is either not injured or less injured, at least one person is available to call for help or render aid.
Insurance Issues
Many times, the injured becomes victimized a third time when the bills start adding up and the money isn’t coming in. The victim is often left holding the full financial loss of the accident when the driver flees.
Many times, the injured person has many questions regarding who will cover those losses when the at-fault person hasn’t been identified. What injuries can I claim?
- Who will pay my medical bills?
- Can I file the accident on my own insurance policy?
- What if I wasn’t using my car, can I still use my own insurance?
- Will I have to pay them back if the at-fault driver is found?
All of these questions are legitimate concerns for a victim of a hit-and-run accident. First, you may be able to file under your own auto insurance policy. Many of them have uninsured and underinsured provisions that will pay out when there is an accident involving a vehicle (even if it’s not yours) for some of your losses. In Florida, there is a law that requires insurance policies to cover some of the damages regardless of who is at fault. Other states have similar provisions called Med Pay that will allow a person to claim their medical bills on their own insurance regardless of fault.
Do I need an Attorney for a Hit-and-Run?
Most of these questions and more can be answered by a competent attorney, one who knows the law regarding hit-and-run accidents and one that is experienced with insurance companies. Even if you don’t hire an attorney, you owe it to yourself to talk to one. Then you can make the decision informed and knowing what you are getting into if you decide to go it alone.
Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer
So, after any crash, contact an attorney if there is a serious injury or loss of a loved one. RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”
Anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida may contact us for a free consultation. Our personal injury team will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.
