Criminal Charges For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident In Pinellas County

Car accidents in Pinellas County happen unexpectedly. In seconds, you could find yourself in a potentially serious crash involving other motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians. The shock of what happened, fear of the consequences, and other factors may cause you to consider fleeing the scene. Our Seminole criminal attorney explains the criminal charges you could face and how to handle the situation instead.

 Criminal Penalties For Leaving The Scene Of A Crash In Pinellas County

When a Pinellas County car accident happens, it can leave you in a state of shock. Your first step should be to stop at the scene and notify law enforcement. Instead, some drivers get overwhelmed and flee. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), over 100,000 hit and run car accidents happen throughout the state each year. Common causes include:

• Lack of a driver’s license, valid registration, or insurance;
• Driving under the influence;
• Outstanding warrants;
• Concerns about immigration status.

Regardless of the reasons, leaving the scene of a car accident in Pinellas County is a serious criminal matter. Under the Florida Statutes, you face penalties upon conviction that include heavy fines, driver’s license suspension, and a potential jail sentence. If anyone was hurt in the crash, your charges and penalties are even more severe.

According to a June 2024 Tampa Bay Times news report, a 26-year-old Largo woman was recently sentenced to ten years in prison. She was found guilty of driving impaired and fleeing the scene of a crash in Pinellas Park last year that claimed the life of a local cyclist.

Protecting Yourself Against Hit and Run Charges In Pinellas County

Car accidents are unsettling and can result in serious injuries, but it is important to try and remain calm in the aftermath. Panicking and fleeing the scene could leave you facing serious penalties, including a lengthy jail sentence.

If you are involved in a crash in Pinellas County, do as explained above: stop immediately at the scene and notify the police. Take these additional steps to protect your rights:

• Wait in your car or to the side of the road until the police arrive;
• Call an ambulance for injured victims;
• Do not speculate on the cause of the crash, how it happened, or who is to blame;
• If you are arrested for driving without a license, being under the influence, leaving the scene, or for any other reason, cooperate but do not make any statements without speaking to our Seminole criminal attorney first.

 Contact Our Pinellas County Criminal Attorney Today 

If you are involved in a hit-and-run or otherwise face charges of fleeing the scene of a car accident in Pinellas County, it is important to get legal help immediately. The Reep Law Firm provides the fierce, professional legal representation you need to protect yourself against a conviction, heavy fines, and a potentially lengthy jail sentence. Call or contact our office online to request a consultation with our Seminole criminal attorney today.

Sources:

flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/hitrun/#:~:text=Of%20the%20271%20hit%2Dand,%2C%20dusk%2C%20or%20nighttime%20conditions.

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.027.html

tampabay.com/news/crime/2024/06/26/pinellas-park-hit-and-run-dui-manslaughter-anaya-millan/