PHILADELPHIA HIT & RUN Lawyers

When involved in a car accident that causes injury to a person or animal or results in damage to property, it is illegal to leave the scene of the accident without calling the police. If the driver of the car leaves the scene without calling the police, the incident is referred to as a Hit & Run. Committing a Hit & Run is committing a crime that can result in serious consequences, ranging from high fines to jail time.

The location of the Hit & Run accident can impact the severity of the charge and increase and/or double the fines assessed for the offense.

The laws governing Hit & Run incidents which dictate the proper procedures to follow, differ by the state, and differ according to whether the Hit & Run accident resulted in damage to property, injuries to others, or caused the death of a person.

A first-time offender whose Hit & Run accident caused damage to another vehicle is usually required to pay the victim for any damage done and assessed fines for leaving the scene of the accident. If the Hit & Run accident caused injury to another person, the penalties are much more severe, including higher fines, DMV points, suspension of their driver’s license and even jail time. A Hit & Run accident in which a death occurs is considered “Felony Hit & Run.” A Felony Hit & Run crime exists, when a driver fails to stop, identify, and/or render assistance to the victim, regardless of whether the accident was caused through fault of the victim.

In any motor vehicle accident, regardless of the outcome, it is wisest to exchange personal information with the other driver involved in the accident. After any accident, which involves injuries, drivers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to assist the injured person, such as calling 911 and reporting the accident to local law enforcement.