HIGHLAND BEACH FL LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT DEFENSE LAWYERS

The traffic and criminal defense lawyers at Arnesen Law represent clients facing various traffic offenses, including leaving the scene of an accident, speeding, and reckless driving in Highland Beach, Wellington, and Royal Palm Beach.

In fact, Jay Arnesen now channels his knowledge as a former police officer who used to issue traffic tickets for the State to work on behalf of citizens charged with criminal and traffic offenses in Florida.

Arnesen has trained the lawyers at his firm, equipping them with his unique skills in defending criminal and traffic cases in municipalities throughout South Florida. Contact the Arnesen Law Boca Raton or Fort Lauderdale office locations  anytime at 561-419-9630 to speak with one of the firm’s attorneys at no cost.

“As a former police officer, I used to help prosecute these charges for the State. Now, let me use my training and experience to combat these charges for you in court.” Jay Arnesen, Esq., Criminal Defense Attorney

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Violations in Florida

Florida Law requires any individual involved in a motor vehicle accident to immediately report said accident to an accessible law enforcement authority, as mandated by Chapter 316, Section 062 of the Florida Statutes.

316.062 delineates all relevant information relating to a person’s legal duty to provide information and render aid when involved in a crash. Specifically, it requires all parties involved in a motor vehicle collision to provide pertinent personal information such as their names, addresses, and the registration numbers of their respective vehicles to the other driver or drivers, in addition to exhibiting their driver’s licenses upon request. Further, State law requires an individual to facilitate the urgent medical care of the other party or another individual who is injured as a result of the accident.

Specific instructions related to motor vehicle accidents that occur under a variety of circumstances, all of which can be applied to cases involving a defendant accused of leaving the scene of an accident are accessible in Chapter 316, Sections 061, 062, 063, 065, and 027. (These laws can be accessed in their entirety through the links below).

• Section 316.061: Crashes involving damage to vehicle or property
• Section 316.062: Duty to give information and render aid
• Section 316.063: Duty upon damaging unattended vehicle or other property
• Section 316.065: Crashes; reports; penalties
• Section 316.027: Crash involving death or personal injuries

Overall, failure to comply with the aforementioned laws may result in penalties including jail time, probation, and significant fines. The specific punishment imposed upon a defendant is contingent upon the circumstances of his or her case, including whether or not the accident resulted in vehicle or property damage, an injured victim or victims, or even the death of another person.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Potential Penalties

Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Motor Vehicle Violation): fines, points added to the defendant’s driver’s license, and even jail time if the person has accumulated a number of points that exceeds a certain threshold

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Vehicle or Property Damage (Second Degree Misdemeanor): maximum term of 60 days in the county jail, up to 6 months of probation, and fines not to exceed $500

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in an Injured Victim (Third Degree Felony): maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, up to 5 years of probation, and fines not to exceed $5,000

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Second Degree Felony): maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to 15 years of probation, and fines not to exceed $10,000

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in the Death of Another (First Degree Felony): minimum term of imprisonment of 4 years, up to 15 years of probation, and fines not to exceed $10,000