When
you are involved in a car accident, fear can take over you. Your first
thought might be to flee from the scene of the accident especially when
it seems like there’s no witnesses in the area. Everyone fears to be in a
chaotic situation like that particularly when damage has been done or
the driver has caused injury to others.
However,
that fear shouldn’t push you to do what is wrong, or more importantly,
legally punishable by law. Leaving the scene of an accident that you’ve
caused will surely get you into trouble with the authorities and the
consequences will be dire.
What will
happen if you are caught leaving the scene of an accident? There are
different cases and corresponding punishment for that.
- Misdemeanor Hit-and-Run- Property Damage
A
misdemeanor hit-and-run is charged when the car driver that leaves the
scene of an accident didn’t cause any injury to an individual.
Basically, the accident just resulted in property damage. This
misdemeanor offense has corresponding punishments that are not to be
taken lightly. Punishment includes fines of around $1000 plus a possible
1-year jail time.
- Felony Hit-and-Run- Injury to Others
A
felony hit-and-run is when the driver has caused injury to others, may
it be a passenger, pedestrian or another driver. This major offense has
more severe punishments. Although the punishment varies from state to
state, the punishment involves paying up $10,000 in fines plus
incarceration.
Do not take both of
these offenses lightly as both falls on hit-and-run charges. These
offenses are severe and are crimes punishable by law.
Will You Get Caught?
When
one flees the scene of an accident he or she has caused, there is
always the question if that person will be caught. The safe answer is
that most likely, the police will catch you. Even if you think there are
no witnesses around, you’ll never know. The police can use video
surveillance in the area and other means to catch you red-handed. And
once they do, they will issue an arrest warrant and serve you with it.
And by that time, there’s nothing you can do but surrender, pay the
fines and serve your time.
What About Other People?
Now,
what if you weren’t directly involved in the accident but you were
there at the scene of an accident, can you still leave the scene? Yes,
you can as long as you are not directly involved. You won’t be held
liable. Although your help will be appreciated, you are free to go
without breaking any laws or paying any penalties.
Rick Silverman
311 S Brevard Ave. Tampa, Florida 33606
813-871-1125
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