Hit and run cases are serious. They are misdemeanors if there is property damage only and a felony if there is any injury to another person. Police officers often suspect hit and run drivers were DUI drivers that fled the scene to avoid being arrested for DUI and they try to locate them as soon as possible while alcohol or drugs may still be in their system.
Hit and run drivers may leave the scene for a number of other reasons also. Sometimes drivers may not stay around for other reasons like the collision was intentional stemming from road rage, or a driver has no insurance, is an illegal immigrant, or has warrants for their arrest on other cases. Officers do there best to follow up on these cases as soon as possible by going to registered addresses of the owners of the vehicles if they have that information. If the car is left at the scene, it often will be impounded and held as evidence until the driver is identified.
It may be a defense to hit and run if you leave to get medical assistance, or leave because of threatening behavior of the other driver involved. However, you should call 911 to report th accident right away in those cases. Felony and misdemeanor hit and run cases can result local custody and felony hit and run could even result in a prison commit depending on the injuries and circumstances. You have a duty to render assistance by at least getting medical help if necessary for another person and exchanging information in all cases.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can assist you in resolving your hit and run issue in the best possible way and help get your car released back to you. Call Christoph Law Offices for a free consultation at 760-941-5720 if you are involved in a hit and run case. We have been providing the highest level of poersonal and professional representation for over 34 years and are located across from Vista Courts.
