Hit and Run is a crime of colliding with any person or property and failing to stop and exchange information like name, license number, and any other relevant information with the other involved party. Hit and run laws vary from state to state, but generally the driver of a vehicle who is involved in collision with any person or property is required to stop and give all relevant information to the injured party.


Hit and Run Statutes:

Hit and Run Laws vary from state to state. In almost all 50 states it is considered to be a serious crime and charged as a Felony if it involves any injury or death. If accident involves damage to property only and there is no person present at the site, the driver is generally allowed to leave a note on damaged vehicle or property and file the report to police later. But when an accident involving injuries occurs, drivers are bound to a legal duty for taking reasonable steps to help any injured person including calling emergency medical services and to report local law enforcement agency.

Any driver who fails to fulfill his/her legal duties in an accident can face misdemeanor or felony charges or can receive a traffic ticket, at minimum. Under Hit and Run Law, this requirement doesn’t impede on a person’s right to refrain from admission of guilt because this exchange of information is considered a report and not a guilty plea.


Penalties:

Hit and Run has serious legal repercussions including cancellation or suspension of driver’s license or imprisonment and in some jurisdictions it may result in revocation of license for lifetime. The penalties of Hit and Run vary from state to state. Some states treated Hit and Run as Felony if it causes death, injury or damage to the property beyond certain dollar amount otherwise it is treated as misdemeanor. While in rest of the states when the Hit and Run accident involves injury to another person, penalties are much more severe. There would be heavy fine, DMV points, prison time and a revocation of driver's license or insurance policy or both.

Fines in both cases (felony or misdemeanor) may be made greater depending on the situation surrounding the incident. If it occurs in a construction zone or lower speed zone, fines may be doubled. Punishments for Hit and Run vary depending on; the state laws where the crime took place, damage caused, the offender’s cooperation with law enforcement and his/her past criminal record. Under Hit and Run Law, a hit and run car accident that resulted in death is automatically charged as a felony crime regardless of who was at fault in the accident.


Need for an Attorney:

Hit and Run is a serious charge and no one wants it on their record. If you or your loved one has been accused of a Hit and Run, the first step is to ensure that you fully understand all your rights. It is important at this point not to speak to anyone and to seek the advice of a competent attorney and follow that attorney’s direction. An experienced Criminal Defense Attorney can find the relevant information for you. Based on your given information, the lawyer can locate reports and speak to the officers and parties involved. Experienced Criminal Law Attorneys at Lawyer’s Area can guide you through this process, keep you out of trouble and even guide the case back into the civil arena.