Hit-And-Run Victim Remains Critical
A Gainesville man remains in critical condition and the individual who struck him is still on the loose following a hit-and-run accident over the weekend. Florida Highway patrol responded to an accident scene on Sunday afternoon around 5pm in which a 53-year-old cyclist was rear-ended by a vehicle along 122nd St. The man was riding north along what is commonly referred to as Parker Road when a car, that witnesses claim to be a white Oldsmobile, struck him from behind then sped off. The victim was taken to University of Florida Health where he remains in critical condition.
Hit-and-run accidents happen with terrible frequency in Florida, leaving victims and their families in terrible pain. In 2012 alone, there were nearly 70,000 hit-and-run accidents, with 166 of those resulting in fatalities. As a result, in the summer of 2014, state lawmakers raised the level for fleeing the scene of an accident from a 3rd to 2nd degree felony. Known as the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, those who choose to leave an accident without reporting it can now face considerable jail time and fines.
Yet, despite these legal ramifications, hit-and-run accidents still persist across the state. If the at-fault party leaves the scene and also avoids capture, the weight of recovery then shifts to the already belabored victim and their insurance. Depending on the situation, victims can face an uphill battle while making a claim with their own policy. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and will take every measure possible to avoid a large payout.
To ensure your rights are protected and you receive the financial assistance that both you and your family require, we highly recommend speaking to the qualified car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah. We have decades of experience tangling with some of the biggest policy holders in the country and we’ve got the resources to make it happen. Call today.
