Eddie Farah Disturbed by the Hit-And-Run Trend in Central Florida
Hit-and-run accidents in Central Florida are on the rise— a disturbing trend that personal injury attorney Eddie Farah finds irresponsible and reprehensible.
According the Daytona Beach News Journal, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has seen a jump in Central Florida hit-and-run crashes in the past four years. Whereas four years ago troopers were seeing an average of 10 to 14 hit-and-run crashes a day, they are now seeing 20 to 25 such crashes today. In March of 2012 alone, FHP handled 547 hit-and-run collisions in the area. In 2011 there were a total of 8,684 hit-and-run accidents in Central Florida.
What is truly disturbing though, is the upward tick of fatal hit-and-run crashes. An FHP spokesman said that in a seven county area that includes Flagler and Volusia counties, the fatal hit-and-run count jumped from 13 in 2010, to 18 in 2011. By Florida law, leaving the scene of a fatal accident is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Why don’t drivers stop? FHP investigators say that the usual suspects may be wanted by police, have no insurance or valid driver’s license, or were drunk or high when the accident occurred.
But, sometimes seemingly upstanding citizens simply don’t stop. FHP cited one instance where a 78-year-old motorist struck and killed a motorcyclist and refused to remain at the scene even after his wife implored him to pull over.
The sister of a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim recently killed while walking on the side of the road in Volusia County stated it succinctly, “Everybody has a conscience — it just depends on if they use it.”
The fallout of a hit-and-run crash can be devastating for victims and their families. Eddie Farah absolutely believes that hit-and-run drivers need to be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, Farah & Farah urges you to give us a call at (800) 533-3555. We can help.
Sources: http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/flagler/2012/04/02/hit-and-runs-on-rise-in-central-florida.html
