Miami Hit & Run Defense Attorneys

If you are involved in a crash in Miami, Florida law requires you to remain at the scene, even if no one suffered injuries. Despite the law, the number of hit and run crashes in Florida has remained steady over the last few years. Most people who leave the scene after a crash involving only property damage. The most serious crimes for hit and run involve personal injury, serious bodily injury, or even death.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 818,653 hit and run crashes in Florida between the years 2015-2022.  Of those cases, 1,899 resulted in fatalities.  In Miami alone, 263 fatalities have occurred due to leaving the scene of an accident cases in that time period. 

To address these problems, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) created the “Bad to Worse” campaign. The campaign is aimed at reducing the number of leaving the scene crashes in Florida by educating the public. It is important to remember that if you are involved in a crash you must stay at the scene and comply with reporting requirements. If you leave the crash scene, then serious criminal consequences can occur.

Attorney for Hit & Run Accidents in Miami, FL

Are the police looking for you? If you were involved in a hit and run crash, then it is important to realize that a criminal investigation has already begun. You have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney represent you at every stage of the case. Attorney E.J. Hubbs is experienced in representing clients accused of leaving the scene of an accident. Give him a call to find out what you need to do right now to protect your rights.

E.J. Hubbs can contact the investigating officers to let the officer know that he is representing you and that you have invoked your right to remain silent. In many cases, this will prevent the officer from coming to your home or work to question you about the crash. At Hubbs Law Firm, we can also contact your insurance company and help you resolve any outstanding civil issues related to the crash.

Call (305) 570-4802 today to discuss your case with our Miami hit and run defense lawyers at no initial charge.

Penalties for Hit & Run under Florida Law

The penalties for leaving the scene in Florida depend on the damage caused by the crash.

Hit and run can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony in the following ways:

• Property damage only with no injury can be charged as a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine
• Personal injury can be charged as a third-degree felony, punishable by five years in prison
• Serious bodily injury can be charged as a second-degree felony, punishable by 15 years in prison
• Death or a fatality can be charged as a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison (with a minimum four-year prison sentence)

Also, if you are convicted of any form of leaving the scene in Florida, you can lose your driver's license. In some cases, the court will impose a permanent revocation.

Hit & Run: Damage to Attended Property under Florida Law

More than 80% of hit and run crashes result in property damage only. In Florida, the criminal charges for leaving the scene after a crash involving only property damage depend on whether the property was attended or unattended.

Damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail or 6 months of probation.

Florida law also imposes second-degree criminal penalties for leaving the scene after a crash causing damage to unattended property, which can include a parked car, fence, or mailbox.

Finding an Attorney for Hit and Run in Miami-Dade County

If you need a criminal defense attorney for a leaving the scene of an accident in Florida, contact Hubbs Law Firm today. Whether your case involves only property damage or felony allegations for personal injury, serious bodily injury, or even a fatality, our Miami hit and run attorneys know how to protect your rights. We are familiar with the tactics used by the Miami-Dade Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

E.J. Hubbs aggressively defend people charged with hit and run throughout the Greater Miami area. We represent clients throughout Kendale Lakes and Tamiami to the West and South Miami, Kendall, Homestead and Cutler Bay to the South, as well as communities North of Miami International Airport such as Hialeah and Miami Gardens.

The law is often unforgiving when you leave the scene of an accident. Giving a full confession may not be in your best interest. You can still make amends through your attorney and settle the criminal and civil issues under the best possible terms.

Don't make a statement until after you have retained an experienced criminal defense attorney for traffic crimes in Miami-Dade County. Call us today at (305) 570-4802. 

Additional Resources

• F.S. 316.027 for Felony Hit and Run Crashes - Visit the Online Sunshine website for the Florida State Legislature to learn more about crashes involving death or personal injuries in Tittle XXIII of Chapter 316 of the State Uniform Traffic Control statute. Find the definition of serious bodily injury, vulnerable road user, and “leaving the scene.”
• Hit and Run News Stories in Miami, FL - Visit CBS Miami online to find out more about Hit-and-Run crashes in Miami, FL. Find out how a tip to Crime Stoppers can lead the Miami-Dade Police to suspects for crashes that happened yesterday. Find information on video and surveillance cameras, and crashes with a bicyclist, scooter, wheelchair, and motorcycles.
• Traffic Homicide Unit (THU) of the Miami-Dade Police Department - The Traffic Homicide Unit of the Miami-Dade Police Department conducts follow-up investigations vehicle crashes occurring within unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Officers with the unit collect and preserve evidence from the traffic ways and vehicles inkling taking statements from witnesses, passengers, and drivers. In 2013, THU investigated 114 hit and run crashes involving injuries including 27 critical crashes and 76 fatalities. Learn more about the "Memorial Marker Program" which was created to commemorate people who died because of a vehicle-related accident on Miami-Dade roadways.
• Driving Safety - Hit & Run - Bad to Worse - Visit the website of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) to learn more about the Bad to Worse campaign. Find out more about the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, serious bodily injury, personal injury, or damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person. Find out why leaving the scene can make things go from bad to worse. The Florida Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officers held five press conferences the week of February 15, 2016, to educate the public about the dangers of hit and run crashes.