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It’s bad enough when you are seriously injured in a crash of any kind. But when the driver leaves the scene, that is the definition of adding insult to injury. That is why law enforcement is working on programs to help reduce or solve the problem.

In Florida, 25% of all crashes in 2016 were hit-and-run accidents. To be more exact, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles listed 99,004 hit-and-run accidents in the state. Amazingly, a significant number of drivers would not face charges or even receive a ticket if they stayed at the scene after a crash.  But by leaving the scene of an accident, even where that driver was not at fault, makes that fleeing driver subject to arrest and imprisonment.  As an example, Florida law provides that leaving the scene of an accident when someone has died is a first-degree felony punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to 30 years in prison. Even with this penalty, the numbers of hit and run accidents continue to rise.

Hit and Run Accidents in Miami

A South Carolina woman was awarded more than $4.6 million following an incident when she was stuck by a needle in a Target store parking lot. Remarkably, her lawyer attempted to settle with Target before trial for $12,000 but Target rejected that offer. In response, Target offered the woman $750 and she was forced to go to trial.

In May of 2014, the woman and her young daughter got out of their car in a Target parking lot. When the woman’s daughter picked up a hypodermic needle, she swatted the needle out of her daughter’s hand. As she swatted the needle, it stuck her in the palm of her right hand.

The woman reported the injury to a Target employee who noted in a Target Guest Incident Report that the woman “seemed worried”. The report is an internal document that is filled out by a Target employee or manager. Information is collected from the “guest” about their accident and injuries while at Target.