A recent hit-and-run crash in Miami took the life of a woman who was simply crossing the street. While the details continue to unfold, this tragedy highlights an issue that affects far too many families in South Florida. Hit-and-run collisions leave victims and loved ones not only coping with physical and emotional trauma but also searching for answers when the responsible driver disappears.
Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and provide information and assistance. When someone flees the scene—especially in cases involving serious injury or death—they violate both legal obligations and moral decency. For families left behind, the impact can be devastating.
Pedestrians Face Greater Risk on Miami Roads
Miami’s traffic patterns create heightened danger for those on foot. Busy intersections, poor lighting, and aggressive driving habits all contribute to the elevated risk. Many hit-and-run crashes involving pedestrians occur late at night or in the early morning hours, when visibility is low and traffic enforcement may be limited. Alcohol, distraction, and speeding are common contributing factors.
Even when a pedestrian follows the rules—using crosswalks and waiting for signals—the actions of a reckless driver can end lives in an instant. The absence of protective barriers between a person and a fast-moving vehicle means any contact can lead to catastrophic injury. If the driver fails to stop, the delay in emergency aid can be fatal.
Why Drivers Flee After a Crash
Some drivers leave the scene because they panic. Others may do so to avoid arrest—whether for drunk driving, a suspended license, lack of insurance, or outstanding warrants. In more troubling cases, the decision to flee may be calculated, based on the hope that a lack of identification will mean they escape responsibility altogether.
Florida’s criminal justice system can pursue felony charges against those who leave the scene of a deadly crash. But while criminal prosecution punishes the offender, it does little to help families struggling with medical costs, funeral expenses, and long-term emotional harm. Civil legal claims remain one of the few avenues for survivors to receive compensation.
What Happens When the Driver Is Unknown
In some cases, authorities identify and arrest the fleeing driver after an investigation. In others, the person responsible is never found. That does not mean you are without options.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may provide financial recovery for victims in hit-and-run cases, especially when the at-fault driver remains unknown. Florida drivers often carry this type of coverage without realizing it. But pursuing a claim under these policies still requires evidence, documentation, and often legal pressure. Insurance companies do not always act in good faith, and delays can place additional burdens on grieving families.
Building a Legal Case After a Hit-and-Run
Timing matters in these cases. Surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, vehicle debris, and traffic data can all serve as evidence. But they may disappear quickly. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible helps protect that evidence and ensures nothing vital is lost.
An experienced personal injury attorney can assist with:
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Coordinating with law enforcement during the investigation
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Identifying all potential sources of financial recovery
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Communicating with insurance providers and pushing back against unfair denials
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Calculating the full extent of damages, including lost income, emotional suffering, and future needs
You deserve answers, and your loved one deserves justice. Filing a claim can not bring them back—but it can provide financial support and accountability.
Reach Out to a Miami Hit-and-Run Injury Attorney
Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A. is a South Florida personal injury law firm that has represented accident victims in and around Miami since 1976. If someone you love was hurt or killed by a hit-and-run driver, you have a right to take legal action. Call (305) 448-8585 today to schedule a free consultation with a Miami injury attorney who will fight for your family’s future.