Florida law requires that any driver involved in an accident involving property damage, injuries, or death stop at the scene. If possible, they should render aid and contact the appropriate authorities by dialing 911. Florida law changed in 2014 when the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act went into effect. This law now provides for a term of up to 60 days in prison for fleeing from a property damage accident. If there are injuries, the hit and run can be a second- or third-degree felony. For a hit-and-run involving a fatality, the charge is a first-degree felony and a mandatory minimum of four years in prison.
The Miami Herald reports on a woman driving a stolen SUV who crashed into a Miami police car before fleeing the scene on foot.
29-year-old Amalia Gonzales has a history of moving violations and traffic citations. She is from Miami Beach and according to records, she has a total of 19 traffic violations and has paid $5,017.50 in fines. She still owes $3,227.90.
Gonzales was driving an SUV that she had stolen from her boyfriend when she crashed into a Miami Police Department car in Coral Gables at about 2:45 a.m. on Monday morning. The officer in the car, an 11-year-veteran identified as Alain Guerra, injured his wrist.
Gonzales fled from the scene of the accident. Police later caught her at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Ruiz Avenue. She was arrested and is facing charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, being a habitual traffic offender, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, and careless driving.
UPDATE: Jessica Guevara Killed In Car Accident That Left Six Children Injured After Tire Blowout In Apollo Beach On Interstate 75 Freeway Jessica Guevara Killed In Car Accident That Left Six Children Injured After Crash on Interstate 75 Freeway in Apollo Beach; Please Support The Family of the Victim By Donating the the GO FUND ME Page Set Up For Them APOLLO BEACH, FLORIDA (October 15, 2016) – A 28 year old woman was killed in a car...
Child Passenger Safety Week (9/14-9/20) : How to Tell if Your Child is in the Right Car Seat Car safety seats for children play a vital role in protecting your kids when driving in the car. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) citing a 2011 study in Pediatrics, car seat use reduces the risk for death to infants by 71 percent, and for toddlers by 54 percent. Sadly though,...
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Can A Florida Lawyer Prove Fault In A Car Accident When The Police Report Says Otherwise? A Florida lawyer can prove fault in a car accident when the police report says otherwise. Police officers are trained in investigating car accidents and will prepare an official police report regarding the details of the accident in accordance with the Uniform Traffic Crash Report Manual. However, these police reports are not the only source...
Who Pays For Your Auto Repair After a Car Accident You Did Not Cause in Florida? Due to Florida’s no-fault laws, your insurance will pay for your auto repair after an accident you did not cause in Florida. However, if the costs of damages exceed your policy limits, you may qualify to recover additional compensation elsewhere. This article will outline how no-fault laws work in Florida, getting reimbursed for your deductible,...
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Florida? Many car accident settlements are confidential. Only the involved parties, including the injured claimant, their legal team, and the liable insurer, know a case’s outcome. While the outcomes of court cases are public record, the outcomes of insurance claims are not. So, no one’s quite sure what the average settlement for a car accident is....
Can You Receive Compensation For Pain And Suffering From An Auto Accident in Florida? Yes, Florida does allow accident victims to recover damages for pain and suffering from an auto accident in certain situations. Pain and suffering are considered a “non-economic” damages. Unlike, for example, medical bills, there is no clear monetary value for pain and suffering. You are suffering, and there should be compensation for your pain and...
Most Dangerous Highways in Florida The three most dangerous highways in Florida are reportedly Interstate 4, Interstate 95, and U.S. Route 1. These roads are dangerous because they are the sites of many fatal crashes. They all have high traffic volumes as throngs of vehicles travel across them daily. Those involved in accidents on Florida’s highways can seek compensation for...
