Failure to Stop and Give Information: Basics of Hit and Run Laws

If you were involved in an accident, you have a legal duty to stop at the scene and verify that someone was not hurt or that significant property damage did not occur. If you leave the scene of such an accident, this is known as a hit and run. These accidents can change your life because of the multiple cases against you in a criminal and civil sense. A lawyer should be retained immediately.

For a hit and run accident, if you’re ultimately caught, you’ll be looking at serious consequences in a civil and criminal sense. If another party was critically injured because of the accident and you did not stop at the scene to exchange insurance information, they may pursue a civil case against you under personal injury law. Criminal consequences might also apply in a hit and run case because you broke the law.

If you’re accused of leaving the scene of an accident, your only way to help yourself is to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who cares about your future. Your lawyer should spring into action quickly to look at all of the evidence and determine whether or not you have a strong case.

If you’re involved in any accident, it’s important to remember to stop and share your information right away. It may be harder for you to succeed in any injury case if the other party argues that you left the scene. The driver who leaves the scene must have been aware of the collision before the need to stop arises.

Any circumstantial evidence from the other party that indicates the driver might not have really known about the incident in question could be used in your defense.

A lawyer who gives you an honest appraisal of your case is essential in hit and run allegations.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.