Can you get arrested for a hit and run?
As you enjoy a peaceful ride on a cool evening. You are suddenly distracted by someone calling to book you for evening drinks. But before you hung up, you already rear-ended someone.
As you contemplate stopping over to talk to the other driver, you quickly remember your past unsolved traffic violations. Your gut feeling tells you to flee the scene after all no eyewitnesses seem to be around.
In the above scenario, you just committed one example of a hit-and-run crime, just because you fled the scene of an accident.
Further reading: 10 reasons you need a hit and run accident lawyer
Now that you fled the scene. will you be arrested by police? how long will it take for the police to find you? what are the possible consequences for leaving the scene of an accident?
What if the other driver dies right at the scene? will a hit-and-run ticket remain on your record or it can be expunged? well, read this article to know each and everything on how to hire a hit-and-run lawyer to defend the case.
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Definition of hit and run.
What is a hit and run? A hit and run can be defined as a crime committed by a driver who did not stop at the scene of an accident.
As a driver, you have a duty of care towards other fellow drivers. You must stop at the scene and exchange information, report the accident to the authorities, and render help if there are victims injured.
Here in the United States, leaving the scene of an accident is highly punishable by law. For instance. I know a guy who is serving a 12-year sentence just because he failed to render aid to the injured people in the accident he was involved in.
What should you do if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident?
what you should do if you are involved in an accident depends on whether you are the victim or the driver at-fault in the crime.
If you are the driver, you must do what it takes to ensure that you do not go to jail and or avoid hefty fines your state could impose on you.
How can a hit and run affect your driving record?
The effects of a hit and run include criminal charges, civil lawsuits, increased insurance rates, damaged reputation and effects on your driving records.
Remember any car accident remains on your record for a certain period of time. According to my research, a hit-and-run crime remains on your driving record for 3-13 years.
A hit-and-run ticket has a negative effect on your future employment, loan, and insurance rates. In some states, even a not-at-fault auto crash remains on your driving records.
Simply put, A hit and run can lead to criminal charges, fines, higher insurance rates, and a negative impact on your driving record.
Difference between misdemeanor and felony hit and run charges.
There are potentially 2 charges faced by drivers for not stopping at the scene of an accident. These are misdemeanor hit and run, and or a felony hit and run.
A felony hit and run is a charge pressed against drivers who left the scene of an accident involving injuries or deaths. On the other hand, a driver who flees the scene of an accident involving only property damages commits a misdemeanor.
In short, hit-and-run charges can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the severity of the damage caused by the accident.
Civil and criminal penalties for committing a hit-and-run offense.
I already explained the criminal penalties of a hit-and-run crime, right? These are nothing but a felony or a misdemeanor as explained in the last last section above.
Now, what are the civil consequences of a hit and run accident? What is the difference between civil and criminal offenses?
Well, the difference is that, Civil offenses involve disputes between parties, while criminal offenses involve violations of criminal laws. The burden of proof and potential penalties differ between the two types of cases.
Since a civil offense is a case that arises from disputes between parties, this implies that the civil consequences of a hit-and-run accident are the disputes the other party (driver) will file against you.
If you are at fault for the accident, the hit-and-run victim has the right to sue you to recover his losses and damages. You will need to compensate the other driver for his injuries and car damages.
Penalties for committing a hit-and-run offense
The penalties for committing a hit-and-run differ by state. Penalties depend on the circumstances of the accident, your past criminal history, the outcomes of the accident, and laws in your locality.
In general speaking, the Penalties for hit-and-run offenses in the USA can be a felony or misdemeanor, with fines up to $20,000 and imprisonment up to 15 years.
In some states, the penalties could be as far as up to 25 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines. I encourage you to do an independent study and find out more, concerning your state of residence.
Can you get arrested for a minor hit-and-run?
“Yes you can get arrested for a minor hit and run but this depends on so many factors”, says Mark, a car accident attorney in Los Angeles.
Police have an obligation to investigate any crime whether it’s a minor one or a felony. In most states, the consequences of a minor hit and run can be fines, costs, probation, and probable jail time.
In short, Leaving the scene of an accident where there is property damage is considered a misdemeanor hit-and-run, which is punishable by a fine and/or jail time.
Can you get arrested for a hit and run in Texas?
Leaving the scene of an accident is highly punishable in Texas. The driver faces up to 10 years if the accident involves injuries and or fatalities. In addition, you could be asked for a fine of up to $10,000.
On the other hand, the driver can be arrested and jailed for up to 6 months and pay a fine of up to $500 if the accident involved only property damages.
So yes. You can be arrested for any form of hit-and-run crime but how long you will be jailed depends on certain circumstances of the crash.
Once still, Yes, you can get arrested for a hit and run in Texas. Leaving the scene of an accident involving death or serious injury is a third-degree felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in a Texas state prison
Can you go to jail for a hit and run in Florida?
In Florida, a hit-and-run is one of the serious offenses and can result in fines and prison time. So yes, you can go to jail in Florida for leaving the scene of an accident.
In Florida, the penalties for fleeing the scene of an accident depend on the severity of the hit-and-run accident. Below are some of the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Florida.
1. Hit and run with property damages. This is a second-degree misdemeanor and is punishable with up to $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
2. Hit and run with injuries. This leads to charges of 2nd-degree felony in Florida. Penalties are up to $5,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.
3. Hit and run with serious bodily injuries. This is a felony in Florida whose penalties are up to $5,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.
4. Hit and run with deaths. In Florida, this is a 1st degree felony, punishable with up to 30 years in prison, and a minimum of 4 years in prison.
In short, Hit and run in Florida can result in fines and imprisonment, with penalties ranging from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.
Jail time for hit and run death
I don’t know where you are reading this article from. But, a hit and run where the accident involved deaths or injuries here in the US is classified as a felony.
In most states here in the US, the driver who is guilty of a hit and run with deaths, risks prison time of up to 15 years.
In addition to the jail time above, the driver also risks paying fines between $5,000 and $20,000. Some states like Illinois quote higher fines.
Here in the USA, a hit and run involving only property damages is classified as a misdemeanor and the penalties are less severe compared to if it’s a felony.
Across all states, the average penalty for a minor hit and run here in the USA is a fine of up to $5,000. You will also be arrested and sentenced to jail time of up to 12 months.
To sum it up, Penalties for hit-and-run accidents resulting in death in the United States vary from state to state.
Felony hit and run can result in fines of between $5,000 and $20,000 and up to 15 years in prison, while misdemeanor hit-and-run charges can lead to up to $5,000 in fines and up to a one-year jail term.
Will cops come to your house for a hit-and-run?
Yes, police can come to your house if they think you committed the crime, or if cops think you can help in crime investigations.
Police will first investigate and be sure you are the driver behind leaving the scene of an accident before coming to your home.
Being a suspect means that one of the drivers, an eyewitness, or someone else with valuable information could have reported you, your vehicle, or your license plates. Yes, cops will definitely come looking to arrest you.
so in short, “Police can visit your home after a hit-and-run if you are a suspect or if someone reported your vehicle or license plate”, says Sam a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
I committed a hit and run how long will it take for the police to find me?
There is no specific time within which police will find you after you commit a hit and run. It could be hours, days, weeks, or months depending on the information they have about you.
Denis, a friend of mine left the scene of an accident after hitting a pedestrian. Police were able to locate and arrest Denis after 2 weeks.
If you committed a minor hit and run, most likely police will not waste their resources and time looking for you. This is because they expect such minor cases to be handled by insurance companies.
On the other hand, police will remain on the hunt for you if there are injuries or deaths. Your criminal case will stay forever open till police arrest and charge you.
In short, “the amount of time it takes for the police to find a hit-and-run perpetrator varies depending on the case, ranging from a few hours to several months”, concludes Denis.
Conclusion.
Can you get arrested for a hit-and-run? The answer is yes, you can be arrested for a hit-and-run crime.
Whether you committed a felony or a minor hit and run, police are expected to come looking to arrest and charge you accordingly.
If you committed a hit and run, I highly recommend seeking the services of a criminal defense attorney.
The lawyer will help you navigate the complex legal process, ensure your rights are protected, and represent you if the case goes to trial.