What Happens When You Leave The Scene Of An Accident?

You never want to get in an accident let alone be the cause of it. With your adrenaline rushing and concerns about the consequences to follow swirling in your head, leaving the scene of the accident immediately following the chaos may seem like a good albeit impulsive idea at the time. If you have had the compulsion to leave or recently left the scene of an accident then you are not alone, it is one of the most common criminal violations in Hillsborough County. It is also a criminal offense in itself.

Hit and run scenarios can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts of the case. Of course, if there were other issues at play in causing the accident (i.e. drunk driving, reckless driving or breaking the traffic laws) then a hit and run charge will be in addition to the other charges in your case. In Hillsborough County, here are some things that can happen to you if you are found guilty of a hit and run accident: $500 fine, 6 months of probation, up to 6o days in county jail and 6 points on your driving record.

Here are some helpful tips for what you should do immediately following an accident:

1. Stop: That’s right, stop your car or motorcycle in a safe location and shut your car off. Under Florida law, drivers are required to stay at the scene of an accident when the accident causes damage to property or another individual. With the adrenaline that often accompanies the excitement of an accident; stopping your car will also help you regain some sense of composure.
2. Exchange Information: If you have not been in this situation before, then you have probably seen this all too familiar scene on the side of the road before—drivers exchanging information following an accident. You have an affirmative duty to give your name, address and insurance information to the other driver.
3. Help: When an accident is more (or more appropriately in addition to) to a fender bender and there has been an injury, you should do what you can to help. Call the police and if it is safe, help the other driver to the best of your ability until emergency services arrive at the accident.

Leaving the scene of an accident is not a crime without viable defenses and arguments that can help to lessen the punishments attached to the charge. If you did not know that an accident occurred or there was no personal injury or property damage as a result of the accident, then both of those arguments are reasonable defenses in a hit and run case in Hillsborough County.

With punishments like that, getting in touch with a good lawyer right away is essential. Our law firm has represented many clients charged with a hit and run. If this scenario applies to you, get in touch with the law firm of Finebloom & Haenel P.A. to discuss the detail of your case today.