Teenage Girl Becomes Hit And Run Victim On The Way To School
Getting to school on a Monday morning was harder for one Miami-Dade area teenage girl than normal when she became one of the area’s latest hit-and-run victims as she was struck by a vehicle while riding her bike. Without a doubt, the incident could have been far worse – but the girl did suffer a leg injury as a result of the accident. Florida has some of the highest hit-and-run accident rates in the country and, despite concerted efforts to lower the numbers, according to its website, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notes that the situation is going from bad to worse.
The Numbers Remain Constant
In 2015, there were more than 92,000 hit-and-run accidents throughout the state of Florida. The vast majority of these accidents involved only property damage, but these accidents did result in over 19,000 injuries altogether – and over 180 deaths. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles additionally notes that each year these numbers are consistent and there has been no improvement overall with this problem.
Why Does Florida Struggle With This Problem?
One of the biggest reasons for why Florida has such a high rate of hit-and-run accidents is that, despite Florida’s mandatory auto insurance requirements, nearly 25 percent of drivers in Florida do not have the required level of coverage. In fact, many drivers are not just underinsured, but uninsured. When you are involved in an accident, and you know that you do not have the required insurance to cover the injuries and damages that result from the accident, the temptation to leave the scene and hope that you do not get caught may be too great for some drivers to resist.
Florida’s Insurance Requirements
It is not just a hit-and-run accident that often involves the issue of uninsured and underinsured motorists; these issues can be a component in any accident case – and often are. Florida requires all drivers to have auto liability insurance coverage of certain minimum limits for each of the categories of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. The personal injury liability insurance is a no-fault insurance that covers injuries sustained as a result of an accident regardless of which party was at fault, provided the injured party gets the medical attention they need within two weeks of the accident. This part of the insurance coverage includes a percentage of medically necessary expenses, lost wages, and replacement services along with death benefits of up to $5,000.
Let Us Assist You with Your Case
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident, contact Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale. Whether it is a hit-and-run accident, or there is an issue of uninsured or underinsured motorists, we have the experience you can count on to professionally handle your case. We will help you to know your rights and responsibilities and understand what you can expect to happen with your court case. Contact us today by either visiting us online to by calling 954.556.5260 to schedule your free consultation.
