How Long Does a Hit and Run Investigation Take in Florida?
Being the victim of a Florida car accident is frightening. The situation gets even worse when you are involved in a hit-and-run accident. A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in an accident fails to stop at the accident scene and provide the necessary information. After a hit-and-run accident, the police conduct investigations to identify and apprehend the fleeing driver. In the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, one common question is how long investigations take. This is especially a common question among people who have suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident and who are looking to recover compensation for their injuries and damages. So, how long does a hit-and-run investigation take in Florida? There is no straightforward answer to this question, as several factors can influence the duration of the investigation.
How Do the Police Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?
The police use a combination of investigative techniques, technologies, and help from the public to identify and apprehend hit-and-run drivers. The following are some of the common methods the police use to find hit-and-run drivers;
- Witness Accounts: After a hit-and-run accident, the police interview anyone who saw the accident to gather details. Witnesses can provide vital information such as the vehicle’s make, model, and color. Witnesses may describe the driver. They may also describe the direction the vehicle fled.
- Surveillance Footage: The police look for surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident. Surveillance footage can help identify the vehicle and, sometimes, even the driver.
- Physical Evidence: Evidence such as vehicle parts, paint transfers, and broken glass can help the police uncover details such as the make, color, and model of the fleeing vehicle.
- Public Tips: The police may turn to the public for help identifying the feeling driver.
- License Plate Readers: If a fleeing vehicle’s license plate was captured, even partially, by an automated license plate reader (ALPR), the police may be able to track it down.
Factors That Can Affect the Duration of Hit-and-Run Investigations
Several factors can affect the duration of a hit-and-run investigation in Florida, including the following;
Severity of Injuries
The police usually prioritize hit-and-run cases that involve serious injuries or death. More manpower and resources may be devoted to tracking down and apprehending a hit-and-run driver who caused serious injuries or death compared to finding a driver who only caused minor property damage and minor injuries.
Availability of Evidence
Cases with limited evidence may take longer to piece together than those with ample evidence, such as video footage of the crash, witness accounts, and physical evidence, such as identifiable car parts left at the accident scene.
Caseload
How many cases the police department is investigating compared to its size can impact how long it takes to identify and apprehend a fleeing driver. Smaller departments may not have enough resources or personnel to handle a high volume of cases efficiently, leading to delays in the investigation process. On the other hand, larger departments may have more officers and resources, speeding up the investigation process.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights after a hit-and-run accident. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Miami, Ocala, Orlando, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/