Hit and Run - What do I do Now?

Hit and Run is a serious criminal offense and can lead to serious consequences if the other person is hurt or killed in the accident. You should always stop if you are involved in an accident, but, if you do leave, here are some things to know.

1) There is a special task force in most jurisdictions that investigates hit and run offenses. They will come out and review camera footage, run license plates, and interview witnesses in an attempt to find the person responsible.

2) Depending on the seriousness of the accident, you might only receive a ticket but you could be arrested. In either event, it is important to have legal representation.

3) We can usually work the situation out to one that ends up pretty painless. You will have to pay for damage and you will likely face a court fee. If we are able to get the damages paid for, we can usually get the charge reduced to a non-moving offense. This assumes there was no bodily harm in the accident. If you hurt or kill someone, expect that you will be arrested and likely charged with a felony. In that case, we can usually work out some deal but it will depend on specific facts.

If you are involved in an accident, you have an obligation to stop and provide insurance information and make sure no one is hurt. If you leave after providing your insurance information and they still try and give you a hit-and-run accident ticket, we can have that thrown out because you met the requirements of the law. You are not under any obligation to wait hours for a police officer to arrive. However, I caution anyone involved in an accident to never be the first person to leave the scene. You will not have a chance to tell your side of the story and it is likely the police will issue a ticket based on the other person’s version of what happened.

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run scenario, call me today to discuss your options. We can help reduce the exposure you will face for all legal consequences.

Remember … When No One’s Carin’ Call McLaren! 504-300-8338