In Florida, drivers are required to stop and remain at the scene of an accident involving injury or death pursuant to section 316.027, Florida Statutes. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony. Leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of four years. Further, section 316.062, Florida Statutes, requires a driver involved in an accident to render reasonable assistance to any person injured in a crash. This does not mean providing amateur first aid or medical assistance. Instead, the driver involved in a crash involving injury is required to call police and/or make arrangements for the injured person to be taken to a hospital for treatment. There is also a duty under Florida law to provide certain information and to make a crash report. As such, a person cannot refuse to withhold identity or refuse to make a statement to police following an accident.

A Timely Call to 911 Can Save Someone's Life

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The greater public policy behind the duty to stop and render aid is that we each owe our fellow man the decency to call for help regardless of fault. Aside from just being the right thing to do, calling for help may help save someone's life.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a car accident in Lakeland or the greater Central Florida area, please contact a car accident lawyer to provide a professional opinion as to your case. Florida car accident cases get complex with a number of intricacies in the law. Regardless of the law, a car accident lawyer with Russo Law can help you make the best decisions possible on your case.