Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Defense Attorney

Hit and runs are not to be treated lightly. The consequences for leaving the scene of an accident that you caused could range from days to years in jail, depending on the circumstances of your situation. To avoid any accusations of leaving an accident unlawfully, be aware of your legal duties as a driver involved in an accident. If you have questions about Florida hit and run law or have been accused of leaving the scene of a crime, speak with an experienced traffic attorney at the Ticket & License Center. With over 16 years of experience in traffic law, the firm can handle your case aggressively and take a personalized approach to crafting your defense.

Contact the firm at (954) 525-4858 or online here to schedule your free consultation.

Responsibilities Following a Crash

If you are operating a motor vehicle and have collided with another, causing damage to such other vehicle or property, you must immediately:

• stop at the scene;

• either notify the operator or owner of the damaged vehicle or property or leave a written notice of your contact information on their vehicle; and
• notify police authorities.

Note that you must stop in an area not obstructing traffic, and if a damaged vehicle is obstructing traffic, you must make a reasonable effort to move the vehicle so as not to obstruct the regular flow of traffic.

You must provide the owner or operator of the damaged vehicle with your:

• name,
• address, and
• the registration number of the vehicle you are driving.

Upon request, you must also be ready to exhibit your license or permit to drive to:

• any person injured in the accident,
• the driver of the damaged vehicle, or
• any police officer at the scene of the crash or who is investigating the crash.

Failure to provide such information and reasonably address the accident as discussed above is considered a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation. Do know that it is to your benefit, in fact, to act accordingly, as you will have a strong defense against an accusation of leaving the scene of an accident if you show proof that you acted with the law by providing the required information in a conspicuous place on the vehicle.

Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Leaving the scene of an accident with damage done to an unattended vehicle is considered a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by:

• up to 60 days in jail, and
• up to $500 in fines.

If the vehicle or property is occupied, however, and the person inside has incurred injuries, you will be charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injuries. It is a misdemeanor to leave the scene but depending on the severity of injuries you could face elevated penalties. Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident could be considered a second- or third-degree felony punishable by:

• license revocation for at least 3 years,
• up to 5 years in prison, and
• up to $5,000 in fines.

If the accident resulted in death, you will be charged with a first-degree felony and face the following sentencing:

• license revocation for at least 3 years,
• between 4 to 30 years in prison, and
• $10,000 in fines.

Speak to an Experienced Accident Attorney: Call (954) 525-4858

You can legally leave the scene of an accident so long as two conditions are present – the accident occurred with an unattended vehicle or property, and you have left all the important contact information (name, address, VIN number) after contacting law enforcement. The consequences for fleeing an accident if you do not perform your duty to render aid, however, can get quite severe, especially if such an accident involved personal injury or death.

If you have been involved in an auto accident, it is critical that you consult an experienced traffic accident attorney. The Ticket & License Center can assess the facts of your situation and craft a strong defense against any traffic violation you’ve been accused of. With an in-depth knowledge of state traffic law and years of trial experience, the firm can fight aggressively for your driving rights.

Speak with an attorney at the Ticket & License Center today for a free consultation.