Florida law mandates that drivers stop and exchange information when they are involved in a vehicle accident. However, drivers sometimes use poor judgment and leave the scene of an accident in the heat of the moment. Consequently, individuals who commit this offense could be subject to harsh criminal penalties.
The Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert are very experienced handling these cases from simple parking lot minor accidents involving property damages only to those involving serious injuries and even fatalities.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, speak with a Tequesta hit and run Lawyer at Leifert & Leifert today. One of our knowledgeable Attorneys familiar with hit and run law could help you build a convincing defense aimed to lessen the severity of your offense or avoid any penalties altogether. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.
Responsibility of Drivers to Stop When Involved in an Accident
A driver in a vehicle crash must stop as close as possible to the scene of the accident to check whether it caused property damage or injury. If there is any property damage—even just a scratch or small dent in the driver’s own car—all drivers must exchange their names, addresses, and vehicle registration and Insurance. If a driver hits an empty vehicle, the driver must leave the contact, insurance and registration information in or on the vehicle they hit and make a police report.
Florida Statute §316.062 requires a driver to find out if the accident caused any injuries, and if so, to offer reasonable help to the injured person and arrange for an ambulance if necessary, or if the injured person requests it. Violating the duty to exchange information when the crash causes property damage would be charged as a Misdemeanor. When a collision causes an injury, leaving the scene is a Felony that may lead to imprisonment.
Florida Statute 316.027(2)(c) states that leaving the scene of a fatal accident is qualified as first-degree Felony, punishable by up to 25 years in Prison. If the fleeing driver has previously been convicted of drag racing or driving under the influence, or has been convicted of hit and run before, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of four years of imprisonment.
Additional Consequences Following a Conviction in Tequesta
Even a Misdemeanor hit and run conviction is a serious matter. A driver’s license may be revoked or suspended. Insurance premiums will go up and it may become difficult to acquire insurance at all. A conviction is a criminal record, and that can impact a person’s job opportunities.
Courts often order a driver who fled the scene to pay restitution to the other driver or person whose property was damaged. Courts also may require drivers to attend driver safety classes and engage in community service, or both. These activities require a lot of time.
Contact a Tequesta Hit and Run Attorney Today
A skilled hit and run defense Attorney at Leifert & Leifert may be able to negotiate with prosecutors to avoid some of the devastating consequences of a hit and run conviction. If there are mitigating circumstances or other defenses, an attorney could present those and potentially reduce the hit and run charge. In some circumstances, it may be possible for first-time offenders to have their records sealed or expunged so they will not have a criminal conviction on their record.
Call today to review your Hit and Run or Leaving the Scene of an Accident case with an experienced and knowledgeable Tequesta hit and run Lawyer.
