In the event that a driver leaves the scene of an accident involving property damage, serious bodily injury, or death before completing their statutory duties, they will face serious punishment.
The State of Florida requires every driver to assume a duty of care when they pass their driving test. The duty of care simply means that all drivers must travel mindfully and in accordance with the law to keep themselves and other road users safe. However, not all drivers abide by the law. In the event that a driver breaches their duty of care either by drunk driving, reckless driving, or leaving the scene of an accident, then they face serious charges.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to fighting criminal charges for people who have been caught leaving the scene of the accident in St. Petersburg and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has an in-depth understanding of the complexities surrounding hit-and-run accidents, and we will provide you with a safe place to talk openly and discuss what happened without judgment.
If you call us now, a criminal defense lawyer will sit down with you to discuss the facts of your case and offer you some advice to help you make the right decision. The phone lines to our office are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can get in touch with us at any time of the day or night.
Contact The Law Place now to schedule a free consultation now.
Statutory Duties for Accidents Involving Property Damage in St. Petersburg, FL.
A driver who was involved in a car accident that resulted in property damage to another motor vehicle or other personal property has to complete their statutory duties before they are allowed to lawfully leave the scene in St. Petersburg.
Florida Statute 316.061 and Florida Statute 316.063 outline the statutory duties that a driver must fulfill for a car accident involving only property damage:
- Stop their motor vehicle as close as possible to the location of the car accident.
- Tell the other person that their property was damaged in a car accident, and gather their contact information, including name, driver’s license, and vehicle registration number.
- Show their driver’s license if the other person asks to see it.
- Provide their name, address, driver’s license, and vehicle registration number to the law enforcement officer at the location of the car accident.
- In the event that the other person was not present for the car accident, they will have to find them and let them know about the property damage. However, if they cannot track down the other person, then they have a legal responsibility to write a note that includes their name, address, and vehicle registration number and leave it in a conspicuous place for the other person to find.
For a free legal consultation with a leaving the scene involving property damage lawyer serving St. Petersburg, call 941-444-4444
Statutory Duties Involving Bodily Injury or Death in St. Petersburg, FL.
A driver who was involved in a car accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death to another person has to complete their statutory duties before they are allowed to lawfully leave the scene in St. Petersburg.
Florida Statute 316.062 and Florida Statute 316.027 outline the statutory duties that a driver must fulfill for a car accident involving bodily injury or death:
- Stop their motor vehicle as close as possible to the location of the car accident.
- Tell the other person that their property was damaged in a car accident, and gather their contact information, including name, driver’s license, and vehicle registration number.
- Show their driver’s license if the other person asks to see it.
- Provide their name, address, driver’s license, and vehicle registration number to the law enforcement officer at the location of the car accident.
- Offer ‘reasonable assistance’ to the other person if they sustained an injury. They might have to make an arrangement for the person to be taken to the hospital by calling an ambulance.
- Notify law enforcement of the car accident immediately, especially if the other person is injured and unable to receive the necessary information.
St. Petersburg Leaving the Scene Involving Property Damage Lawyer Near Me 941-444-4444
Required Proof for a Hit-and-Run Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you are facing conviction on account of leaving the scene of an accident, then the prosecutor will have to first prove these four factors:
- The driver was in control of the same motor vehicle that caused the car crash and led to property damage, bodily injury, or death.
- The driver knew or should have been aware that they were involved in a car crash.
- The driver knew or should have been aware that the car crash led to property damage, bodily injury, or death.
- The driver fled the scene of the accident and did not stop close to the location. In addition, they failed to give their contact information to the other person or the law enforcement officer at the scene. Furthermore, they were not willing to offer ‘reasonable assistance’ to the other person who was injured.
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Potential Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you have been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, then you will face serious consequences for your actions in St. Petersburg. The extent of the consequences will depend on the severity of the injuries and damages caused by the car accident.
- An accident involving property damage– A car accident involving only property damage will result in a charge of a second-degree misdemeanor. The penalties include paying a fine of up to $500 and spending up to 60 days in jail.
- A car accident involving injury– A car accident involving injury will result in a charge of a third-degree felony. The penalties include paying a fine of up to $5,000, spending up to 5 years in prison, and 5 years of probation.
- A car accident involving death– A car accident involving death will result in a charge of a first-degree felony. The penalties include paying a fine of up to $10,000 and spending up to 30 years in prison. Furthermore, if you were caught drunk driving at the time that you caused the car accident involving bodily injury or death and left the scene, then you will have to spend a minimum of up to 2 years in prison.
In addition, your driver’s license will also be revoked by the court in the event that you left the scene of an accident involving bodily injury or death.
If you wish to protect your legal rights, then you should reach out to The Law Place and set up a free consultation today. We will discuss the details of your case and explain the possible consequences that you could face after leaving the scene of an accident in St. Petersburg.
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Why Would a Driver Leave the Scene of a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL?
There is nothing that can justify leaving the scene of an accident, especially when the case involves injuring another person without even offering medical assistance. However, it might be worth taking the time to understand the many reasons why drivers might leave the scene of an accident. Our law firm has discovered the most common reasons for leaving the scene of an accident:
- The driver was scared to face criminal action or deportation.
- The driver has an outstanding warrant.
- The driver was in the process of committing another crime.
- The driver was traveling in an unregistered motor vehicle.
- The driver was operating a motor vehicle while on a suspended driver’s license.
- The driver does not have a valid license.
- The driver does not have car insurance.
It is important to seek legal counsel from a reputable law firm with experience when it comes to handling cases like leaving the scene of an accident. Get in contact with a criminal defense lawyer at The Law Place, and we will battle your charges in St. Petersburg.
Defenses to Leaving the Scene of an Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
When you seek legal representation at The Law Place, you will always have the best chance of winning a reasonable outcome for your case in St. Petersburg. Our law firm will offer you the necessary support and advice that you need in order to make the smartest decisions for your case. When you hire us to manage your case, we will explore all of the possibilities and develop a strong defense method that will surely get your charges reduced or dropped in St. Petersburg.
The most common defense strategies that we tend to use in cases like leaving the scene of an accident include:
- The driver’s identity is up for dispute.
- The driver did not know that a car crash happened.
- The driver was not aware that they crashed into another person’s motor vehicle or property.
- The driver was in an emergency situation, and they did not intend to leave the scene.
- The driver made an attempt to stop their motor vehicle as close as they could to the scene of the accident.
- The other driver refused to receive the contact information from them.
- The other driver was aggressive and made them leave the scene to find law enforcement.
- The driver actually did offer ‘reasonable assistance’ to the other person who was injured in the car accident.
Furthermore, not every charge of leaving the scene of an accident needs to result in a conviction. If you quickly get in touch with The Law Place, we will make early contact with the prosecutor and discuss the possibility of a lesser charge or try to find a lenient solution for your case in St. Petersburg.
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you crashed into someone else’s motor vehicle or property and you left the scene, then you should seek legal representation as soon as possible in St. Petersburg. It is important that you learn what legal rights you have following a hit and run, and a criminal defense lawyer will be able to guide you through the legal system in the State of Florida.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in managing criminal cases for clients in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has helped hundreds of people who are facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident, and we know that we can help you too.
If you are looking for the best legal team in town, then you have come to the right place – The Law Place. We will investigate your case, collect facts and information, deal with the paperwork involved, discuss terms with the prosecutor and construct a defense strategy that will either reduce the severity of the consequences or even get your charges dropped completely in St. Petersburg.
If you have questions or concerns in regard to your case, feel free to speak to one of our criminal defense lawyers by setting up a free consultation today. They will talk you through the process and explain how they will help you to succeed with your case. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so do not hesitate to call us today.
Contact The Law Place now to schedule a free consultation now.
Call or text 941-444-4444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form