Need more information on state laws? Learn more about the laws where you live. This information is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, although if you are injured in an accident, we have relationships with other personal injury attorneys and lawyers throughout the United States.
Our Firm Our Firm. Attorney Profiles. All Legal Questions. Do I Have a Case? What Is My Case Worth? Here's why. But here's what to know: Every state requires drivers to stop at the scene of a car accident as long as it's safe to do so.
Fleeing the scene of a car accident can lead to criminal charges. Your driver's license will almost certainly be suspended or revoked if you commit a hit and run, and your car insurance policy might even be cancelled. Criminal Penalties for Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident The criminal penalties for a hit and run vary from state to state. Administrative Penalties for Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident In addition to the criminal penalties for hit and run, almost every state imposes administrative penalties related to your driver's license.
Civil Penalties for Hit and Run If you have caused the accident, it is possible that another person involved in the crash may sue you in court for the damages they suffered. How a Hit and Run Affects Car Insurance In addition to the other penalties we've already touched on, many insurance companies have a practice of cancelling your automobile insurance policy if you commit or are convicted of a hit and run. Getting Help After a Hit and Run If you've fled the scene of your car accident and are ready to discuss your situation with a legal professional, you might want to start by reaching out to a car accident lawyer in your area.
Talk to a Lawyer Start here to find criminal defense lawyers near you. Practice Area Please select Zip Code. How it Works Briefly tell us about your case Provide your contact information Choose attorneys to contact you. Legal Information. Criminal Law Information. Proof and Defenses in Criminal Cases. Getting a Lawyer for your Criminal Case. Steps in a Criminal Defense Case. Arraignment: Your First Court Appearance. Plea Bargains in a Criminal Case. No jail.
September 28, Charge: Assault. Issue: Whether it was appropriate for our client to receive a suspended sentence despite having two prior assault convictions. Result: After hearing Mr. Mines' submissions, the trial judge granted our client a suspended sentence with 12 months of " non reporting" probation.
September 14, Issue: Whether the Crown could prove that our client intended to commit a criminal offence. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to enter a stay of proceedings on the the criminal charges upon our client entering into a Peace Bond. August 17, Charges: Assault. Issue: Given the Covid pandemic, whether it was appropriate to refer our client into the Alternative Measures Program for this assault by spitting offence. Mines was able to provide Crown counsel with compelling information about our client which resulted in Crown allowing our client into Alternative Measures and staying the charge upon our client completing the program.
August 16, Issues: Whether Crown could prove that a weapon was used or that the complainant was unlawfully confined. Mines was able to persuade Crown counsel to accept pleas to the lesser charges of common assault and uttering a threat. After hearing Mr. Mines' submissions on our client's behalf, the trail judge granted our client a conditional discharge.
No jail; no permanent criminal record. August 11, Charge : Driving while prohibited. Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the prohibited driving charge. But courts have tended to hold that, if a statute doesn't refer to public roads, drivers can be convicted of hit and run for incidents on private property.
A couple examples of private property are store parking lots and residential driveways. Under the right circumstances, even someone who wasn't driving at the time of an accident can be convicted of hit and run. For example, a passenger who takes the wheel and drives away from an accident site could be guilty. Even a passenger who successfully persuades the driver to flee the scene of a collision can face criminal charges.
Laws can provide stiff punishment for hit and run, though specific penalties vary from state to state. In most places, prosecutors can charge the offense as either a felony or a misdemeanor , depending on the facts of the case. A collision that results in death or a serious injury to anyone will typically lead to felony hit-and-run charges. In some states, even a hit-and-run accident that causes significant property damage can mean a felony charge.
Typically, though, if no one was injured in the collision, the charge will be a misdemeanor. Both felony and misdemeanor convictions can result in jail sentences and fines. Felony convictions can even lead to prison time. As mentioned above, car accidents usually involve civil liability. Hit-and-run collisions are no exception. In addition to criminal prosecution, a driver involved in a hit and run could face consequences that include:. For more on these types of penalties, see our article on the consequences of a hit and run.
For help with a case you're involved in, including an explanation of the relevant law, consult an experienced lawyer. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.
0コメント