Most people know that a hit and run is a serious offense, and Florida courts don’t take the related charges lightly. If you are involved in a car crash, the law requires you to act in a certain way, and if you fail to do so, the consequences can be severe. Some people do not know what constitutes leaving the scene of an accident in the state of Florida, though, or how they should act in the event of a crash.
If you are facing serious criminal charges in Florida, it may be beneficial to seek guidance from an experienced attorney. If a court finds you guilty of an offense such as a hit and run or DUI, it can have a lasting impact on your life. Even if you think the charges are not serious, the justice system can be highly unpredictable.
Many people do not realize that if there are physical injuries to someone involved in an accident and you leave the scene, you may face felony charges with a punishment up to five (5) years in prison.
At Leader & Leader P.A., we handle a wide range of criminal matters, and we have more than six decades of combined legal experience. If you find yourself on the wrong side of the law, contact a Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer today at 954-523-2020 to schedule an appointment, and read on for more information regarding hit and run accidents.
Leaving an Accident Scene in Florida
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, law enforcement officials are recording an increase in the number of hit and run accidents in Florida. As a result, they are taking measures to clamp down on the trend. If you leave the scene of a crash in Florida, you are committing a crime.
According to Florida Statutes, an individual leaves the scene of an accident illegally when he or she is involved in a crash with someone else’s property without stopping or leaves the scene without providing the other drivers with the necessary contact details. If the accident was with a parked or unmanned car and the owner of the car is not present, the law requires you to report the accident to law enforcement or to leave your full contact details at the scene. We suggest making sure you have proof of leaving your information in the damaged property including but not limited to taking a photograph and finding a witness that you left information.
Serious Injuries or Fatal Accidents
If you are in a crash in which someone is seriously injured or killed, Florida law requires you to stop and provide reasonable assistance to the injured individuals. It is particularly important to contact relevant emergency services and to ensure that the injured individual receives transport to a hospital. If you fail to stop and assist, you may face hit and run charges, which are significantly more severe than those associated with a regular accident.
If you, a friend, family member or loved one is contacted about accident that was not timely reported or allegations of leaving the scene, you should not make any statements without speaking to a lawyer, including whether or not you or someone else was driving or in actual physical control of the vehicle. It will be the State or adverse person’s burden to prove who was driving. Additionally, when someone fails to timely report an accident or leaves a scene, law enforcement may be able to question you without reading you’re Miranda rights and in most instances, can use any statements made against you. Leaving the scene, whether a misdemeanor or felony
Even if you consider the charges to be minor, an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney may be able to provide invaluable advice. At Leader & Leader P.A., we handle a wide range of criminal matters, and we are available 24 hours per day for an initial consultation with potential clients. Call us at 954-523-2020 to schedule an appointment today.