Car Accidents are never fun to be involved in, especially, a hit and run or when someone gets injured. Most people involved in an accident are shaken up afterwards, sometimes, just for the shock of the entire situation.
Yesterday, in West Palm Beach Florida, a driver of a Honda plowed into a Minivan, carrying a family of four. Due to being struck, the Minivan, crashed into another another car, with two passengers. According to a WPBF - ABC - Report, a baby in the Minivan was thrown from the car into the street. The first question in everyone's mind is: Is the baby going to be okay and how was the baby restrained in the car? All of the passengers were taken to the hospital and were in stable condition, with the exception of the baby, who was last reported to be in critical condition.
The driver of the Honda, reportedly ran and collapsed down the street. The police are investigating whether or not alcohol was involved.
This leads to the message behind this post: It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident. According to Florida Statute 316.027 Crash involving death or personal injuries.--
(1)(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash occurring on public or private property that results in injury of any person must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash, or as close thereto as possible, and must remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of s. 316.062. Any person who willfully violates this paragraph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash occurring on public or private property that results in the death of any person must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash, or as close thereto as possible, and must remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of s. 316.062. Any person who willfully violates this paragraph commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Any person who willfully violates this paragraph while driving under the influence as set forth in s. 316.193(1) shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 2 years.
On a positive note, data released last year for 2008 Florida traffic accident data show a positive trend on Florida's highways in the area of crashes and fatalities in Florida.
- Traffic-related fatalities on Florida roadways decreased between in 2008 from 2007. The number of fatalities in 2008 were 2,983 and 3,221 in 2007.
- Traffic related accidents and crashes on Florida roadways decreased in 2008 from 2007. The numbers for 2008 were 243,342 accidents and the numbers for 2007 were 256,206 accidents.
- Traffic related accidents and crashes on Florida roadways involving alcohol decreased in 2008 from 2007. The numbers were 1,169 for 2008 and 1,244 for 2007.
Everyone understands that a car accident is never a fun experience for any party involved. However, it does not give the person at fault the right to run from their responsibilities. Bloggers for the Jacksonville law blawg:ForYourprotection.com, gave an excellent summary in a post regarding a DUI Florida Hit and Run accident that resulted in the death of a passenger, when they wrote the following:
"If you are involved in an auto wreck and you have been drinking, the absolute worst thing you can do is leave the scene. You will be caught and convicted, not to mention the moral duty you have to the person you have just injured. Stay and render aid and be helpful and figure your actions have finally caught up with you."
Lastly, if you are involved in a car accident, Stop, take a deep breath, and proceed to take the appropriate actions. It will all work out much better if you stay and address the situation instead of trying to avoid it. Strangely enough this holds true for many things.
Let's continue to make Florida's roadways safer by driving with care and following traffic laws.
