WPLG-TV reported on November 30, 2019, that a South Florida man was arrested for fleeing the scene of a crash after he allegedly struck a pedestrian on Thanksgiving night on Sunrise Boulevard. A witness gave police the license plate number of the vehicle and authorities traced the license plate to a black 2003 Mercedes-Benz registered in the man’s name. Police noticed a shattered windshield and apparent blood on the vehicle when they arrived at the man’s home, and he admitted to the hit and run as well as driving with a revoked driver’s license. Authorities said certain charges could be pending because it was not expected that the victim, who was listed in critical condition, would survive their injuries.  The man will now be in need of a qualified Fort Lauderdale hit and run lawyer.

When you are suspected of leaving an accident scene, you should exercise your right to remain silent until you have a Fort Lauderdale hit and run attorney. This is true even when you are confident that you are innocent.

A Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer will be able to deal with police for you and help protect your rights. Hit and run offenses are major crimes in Florida for which prosecutors will aggressively pursue maximum punishments.

A hit and run offense resulting in property damage only is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by as much as 60 days in jail and/or a fine as high as $500. When a person is injured, the crime becomes a third-degree felony punishable by possibly five years in prison and/or a fine that could be as much as $5,000, and accidents causing death can result in first-degree felony charges punishable by 30 years in prison and/or a fine as high as $10,000.

Not all alleged offenders accused of leaving the scene were necessarily aware that they were even involved in accidents. A prosecutor handling a hit and run case must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an alleged offender drove a vehicle involved in an accident causing injury, death, or property damage, knew or should have known that they were involved in a crash, knew or should have known of the injury, death, or property damage, and willfully failed to stop where the crash occurred or as close as possible and failed to assist the injured person.

Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Attorney

An experienced Fort Lauderdale hit and run attorney will be able to help you identify your strongest legal defense options. They can help you achieve the most favorable outcome to your case.

You will want to contact a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer if you have been arrested or are being investigated for any kind of hit and run crash. If you or someone you know have been in a similar legal situation, contact Hassett & Associates, P.A. at 954-791-3939.