The Perazzo Law Firm Miami car accident lawyers, have learned, according to WESH, that a Friday-night crash near UCF in Orange County left eight teenage pedestrians hurt, and troopers say the driver of one car fled. Leaving the scene of a crash with injuries is a crime under hit and run accident laws, Fla. Stat. § 316.027, but the injured can also pursue a separate civil claim for their losses. If you or your child was hurt as a pedestrian accident victim, call 888-PERAZZO, or Contact them ONLINE for a FREE consultation.
What WESH reports so far
According to WESH, the hit & run accident crash happened around 7:53 p.m. on Nov. 6 on University Boulevard near Technological Avenue. Troopers said a 2007 Honda Fit struck a 2020 Honda Civic from behind. WESH reports that, according to troopers, the impact sent a 2025 Honda Civic off the road, and the 2020 Civic struck a group of pedestrians. Troopers said, per WESH, that the Fit then hit the right side of the 2025 Civic.
Per WESH, the Fit’s driver reportedly fled, witnesses gave troopers a tag number, and the car was later found abandoned in a hotel parking lot on Technological Avenue. WESH lists the injured as four 15-year-olds, two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, and reports that seven were hospitalized, one as a trauma alert, and one refused transport, according to Orange County Fire Rescue. The Florida Highway Patrol and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating, and WESH had no suspect information at the time of its report.
Criminal charges and civil claims are separate
Under Fla. Stat. § 316.027, a driver in a crash involving injury must stop at the scene or as close as possible and remain there. The same section makes a willful violation a felony. That case is brought by the state.
A civil claim is different. It is brought by the injured person, and for a minor, usually by a parent or guardian, to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income and other losses. A criminal case does not replace a car accident claim.
Questions that come up when a driver is not found or coverage is limited
- Unidentified driver. Fla. Stat. § 627.727 governs uninsured motorist coverage, which applies to people legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles. Whether it reaches a driver who cannot be identified depends on the policy terms, so the family’s own policy is worth reviewing.
- Several injured people. When many people are hurt in one crash, available insurance can become a limiting factor, so coverage questions are worth raising early.
The time limit
For most negligence actions, the filing period is two years under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(a). Exceptions can apply, so confirm the deadline for your own situation. Evidence such as security video can disappear much sooner.
Frequently asked questions
Can an injured teenager bring a claim if the driver fled?
Yes, a claim can be pursued against a driver who is later identified, and policy coverage may offer other paths. Which applies depends on the facts and the policies involved.
Does a criminal case against the driver end the civil claim?
No. The criminal case under § 316.027 is separate from a civil claim for the injured person’s losses.
Who files for an injured minor?
The Perazzo Law Firm Miami car accident lawyers inform that, for a minor, a parent or guardian usually acts on the child’s behalf. The details depend on the child’s age and the facts.
If your family was affected by a hit-and-run, call 888-PERAZZO or contact us online to talk through your options.
This is Car accident attorney in Miami advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Perazzo Law Firm has an office in North Miami Beach, Florida.