Tampa Hit & Run Defense Lawyer

If you were involved in a car accident and left the scene of the crash, you could be charged with a criminal act under Florida law.  Florida statute 316.061 prohibits anyone who has been in a car crash from leaving the scene. Not only that, but under Florida law, you are required to stop your car, provide your information to the police and the other driver, and call an ambulance if someone is injured.

The penalties can be severe if you are convicted of a hit and run in Florida, depending on injuries sustained by the other driver.  You could be facing years in prison and high fines for your actions.

Mistakes happen. If you fled the scene of a hit and run, you should hire a knowledgeable and qualified Tampa hit and run defense lawyer to help you defend your case. The prosecution will always go for the maximum penalties allowed under the law.  You should counter the prosecutors with a strong defense.  Start by calling Taracks & Associates today at 813-281-2897 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Us?

After a car accident, especially one where you left the scene, you will be feeling stressed and anxious about the future. Hiring a Tampa hit and run accident lawyer should be your first step. While there are hundreds of these types of lawyers in Tampa, you should hire a law firm with the capability and tenacity to get the job done.  At Taracks & Associates, our team of lawyers should be your choice because of the following:

• We have a former prosecutor on our team who knows the strategies current prosecutors use on defendants.
• Barry Taracks has a history of practicing in both state and federal courts. While we primarily practice in the Tampa Bay area, we can assist you in referring you to an attorney outside of Mr. Taracks’ geographical practice.
• We have been a part of hundreds of jury trials, so if your case goes that far, we can defend you diligently.
• We have helped more than 10,000 clients and have over 30 years of experience.
• Take a look at our case results to see our past successes.
• Our clients have told us how satisfied they were with our legal representation.

Don’t put your legal future into the hands of an inexperienced lawyer who just graduated law school.  Hire a Tampa hit and run accident lawyer with the knowledge and experience to defend your case.  Call Taracks & Associates today at 813-281-2897.

What Can We Do For You?

You may be thinking that you can handle your defense on your own. You will sit down with prosecutors and explain what happened and why. Doing this would be a mistake as the opposition will use anything you say against you, and you could face heavy fines and prison time.  You’ve made one mistake by leaving the accident scene.  Don’t make another mistake by attempting to defend yourself.

You should hire our hit and run defense attorney for many reasons.  We will . . .

• Meet with you to discuss your case in depth and provide possible options for your defense
• Investigate the accident by reading over witness statements, police reports, and medical records
• Interview any witnesses to the accident
• Review any video surveillance of the accident scene
• Speak and negotiate with prosecutors to come up with a fair plea deal
• Take your case to trial and defend you in front of a jury.

Penalties For Hit & Run in Florida

The penalties for a hit and run crime in Florida depend on the severity of the injuries sustained by the other driver.  Here are some of the penalties involved:

• Second Degree Misdemeanor – You can be charged with second degree misdemeanor if you leave the scene of an accident and there was only damage to the other person’s vehicle, but no injuries to the other driver.  For second degree misdemeanor, you can get up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500.
• Third Degree Felony – If the other driver was injured in the crash and you fled the scene, you can be charged with up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• Second Degree Felony – if the other driver sustained serious injury, you can get up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• First Degree Felony – You can be charged with this penalty if someone is killed in the accident and you flee the scene.  The sentence for a first degree penalty can be up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Potential Defenses Against Florida Hit and Run Charges

The right attorney will explore several potential defenses for hit and run charges in Florida. With the right defense strategy, it will be possible to reduce the charges you are facing or to have them dismissed completely. Some of the potential defenses that can be used include:

• Minimal or No Evidence – To be convicted, it’s necessary for the prosecuting attorney to prove that you were the one who caused the accident. They must prove you were driving or controlling the vehicle and that you left the scene.
• Medical Emergency – A possible defense for cases where you are charged with a misdemeanor hit and run and when no one suffered an injury is that you were dealing with a medical emergency.
• No Knowledge of the Accident – You may have a much easier time while you are in court if your defense attorney is able to prove that you were not aware that the accident occurred.

Taracks & Associates Answers Your Common Questions

When it comes to hit and run accidents in Florida, it’s not uncommon to have questions about the situation. Some of the most common questions asked are answered here.

Is a hit and run a felony in Florida?

A hit and run can be charged as a felony in the state of Florida if certain circumstances exist in your case, where injury or death is involved.

What is a felony hit and run?

If you have caused the death of a person in an accident and leave the scene, you can be charged with a felony hit and run. Whether you face misdemeanor or felony charges depends on the specifics of your case and situation.

What are the potential consequences of a Florida hit and run conviction?

In Florida, hit and run offenses may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. As mentioned above, this depends on the circumstances around the accident.

Is it possible to have hit and run charges dropped?

If you hire and retain the services of an experienced hit and run attorney, you may be able to have your charges reduced or even dropped. Even if you are convicted, a skilled attorney may help you face reduced consequences.

Call Taracks & Associates Today For a Free Consultation

If you have been charged with a hit and run, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Our hit and run lawyers have defended clients for over 30 years, and we know how to minimize the damage that has already been done.

The Tampa hit and run attorneys at Taracks & Associates will defend you diligently, by negotiating with the prosecutor for a plea deal or fighting for you in court.