A man was killed recently when a car hit him at high speed. The man, who turned 40 just days before the accident, had been out riding a bike when a maroon Ford Mustang convertible struck him. According to witnesses, the victim was hit hard enough that he landed more than 30 feet from the point of impact, and the driver fled the scene immediately. Florida Highway Patrol officers say they found the abandoned Mustang just a few miles down the road.
The family of the victim is pleading for anyone with information to come forward. They also ask that the driver who hit their loved one turn TO themselves in. “He was good. Good-hearted and he helped people out,” said the victim’s brother.
How Can We Stop Hit and Run Drivers?
Any car accident in which one of the parties involved leaves the scene without stopping to provide insurance or contact information, or render aid to another person injured in the collision, is a hit and run. Information is the key to bringing hit and run drivers to justice.
As hard as it may be, staying calm if you are a victim of a hit and run accident greatly increases your chances of gathering viable information that can be used to find the person responsible. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you are injured, but if possible, try to take down the following info:
- Make, model, and license plate number of the car that hit you
- Contact information of any potential witnesses to the accident
- If you can, use your phone to take pictures of the scene
- Take pictures of the damage to your own vehicle, and try to capture specific details (i.e. paint from the car that hit you).
A hit and run is a felony, which means that if the driver is found, then criminal charges may be pursued. However, you will need the help of a personal injury attorney in order to file a claim against the driver and their insurance for compensation for damages such as medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering.