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Our state law requires anyone involved in a Florida traffic accident to follow a certain set of procedures such as pulling over and exchanging information with the other driver. And while most people follow these rules after an accident, there are some drivers who flee the scene—not even sticking around to find out if they caused any injuries or fatalities to others.
Recently, there have been several hit-and-run accidents in Bradenton, throughout Sarasota and the surrounding areas. Some of the most recent examples include:
- On November 24, 2013, a Bradenton woman was rear-ended on U.S. 41, at the intersection of U.S. 301. The woman was stopped for traffic, and the driver who hit her in the rear fled the scene of the accident. The Florida Highway Patrol indicated that they are looking for a male driver of a green SUV, possibly a Tahoe or Lincoln that has damage to the bumper. The woman sustained minor injuries in the wreck.
- On November 6, 2013, a female cyclist was rear-ended by a car, in which the driver fled the scene. This hit-and-run accident on U.S. 41 caused critical injuries to the cyclist. Police are looking for a blue SUV or truck that has damage to its right mirror and headlight.
Sadly, there are many more examples of hit-and-run accidents in our area—too many to even list. According to new crash data, there were about 70,000 hit-and-run accidents in 2012 in Florida, indicating that these types of accidents are on the rise.
So Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident?
There are many reasons why people become hit-and-run drivers following crashes. The main reason is fear. If a driver knows that he or she is impaired by alcohol or drugs, the driver might flee the accident scene for fear of being arrested. Additionally, there are young drivers who don’t want to get in trouble at home, and there are drivers who are operating vehicles illegally—without a license or insurance. What most hit-and-run drivers don’t realize is that police are very good at finding them. There are witnesses, accident evidence, cameras, and even tips that get phoned in that help police track down the driver.
Seek Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Bradenton, Sarasota, or Venice, you need to find out your rights and seek legal representation from a qualified personal injury lawyer. Call Mallard Perez at 888-409-3805 for a free initial consultation today to find out how we can help you.