Negligent Drivers Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident in the Tampa, Florida Area & the Role of Your Car Accident Lawyer

When a person is involved in a car accident in the Tampa, Florida area that causes damage, the right thing to do is stop, speak to the other drivers involved to determine whether immediate medical attention is necessary, and exchange personal information.

What you may not realize is, not only is stopping the proper thing to do, it is the law. According to Florida Statutes, in the event of a car accident with damages and/or injuries in Florida, drivers are required to:

• Stop their vehicles or return to the scene of the accident
• Move their vehicles to prevent the obstruction of traffic, if possible
• Check to see if anyone was injured in the accident, and if it is apparent that medical attention is needed, contact 911 to request an ambulance (or otherwise request emergency medical assistance)
• Exchange information with other drivers including names, addresses, drivers licenses, tag numbers, etc.

If a driver leaves the scene of a car accident in the Tampa, Florida area without performing the above duties, that driver has committed a crime. The punishment for that crime depends on the specifics of the accident. For example, drivers who leave the scene of an accident may face the following penalties:

• In an accident with only property damage, leaving the scene is a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 60 days in jail.
• If the accident results in the injury to any person, leaving the scene is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
• In a car accident involves the death of a person, leaving the scene is a first-degree felony that carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

If you have been seriously injured in a Tampa, Florida area auto accident, an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer can be essential to ensuring that you are compensated for all of their losses, including losses you may have suffered after the negligent driver left the scene of the accident, making a bad situation even worse.

To receive a free initial assessment of your injuries and losses after an auto accident in Tampa, Florida or surrounding communities, please contact our law firm today.