Hit and run notice in the mail
If you are the driver that got involved in an auto accident but chose to leave the scene of an accident, soon or later Police may contact you if they have a reason to believe you are connected to the crash.
4 ways police may contact you to inform you of your possible criminal charges are; contacting you directly, sending a letter in the mail, contacting you through the insurance company, and contacting you after locating your vehicle.
But what should you do if you receive a hit and run notice in the mail? If you receive a hit and run notice in the mail, consult an attorney, gather information, cooperate with authorities, document everything, and follow legal advice.
But how long will the notice come to you? how do you prove your innocence in a hit and run case, if you received the mail, how long will it take to be charged? ready to dig in further? let’s get started!
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Receiving a Hit and Run Notice in the Mail- what to do?
Yes, finally you received notice in the mail following a hit-and-run. What should you do? After receiving a hit and run notice in the mail, here are the steps you can take:
1. Consult an attorney. whether you are the victim or the driver that left the scene of an accident, you should seriously consider seeking the services of a hit and run lawyer.
This will ensure that you explored your legal options and get your rights protected. If you are the hit and run driver, seriously think about hiring a criminal defense lawyer, or else you could be sentenced to more than 15-20 years in prison.
2. Gather information. You must have gathered information relevant to the accident, such as date, time, location, and any other details you remember.
The information gathered will be used by your attorney to either defend you or pursue your case, and also during insurance settlement.
3. Cooperate with authorities. You are likely to be questioned by police and so I recommend you cooperate as much as possible. Remember to consult an attorney before speaking to authorities.
4. Document everything. If you are invited over to the police station, make sure you document everything you communicate with the police. Take a record of hit and run notices, any letters or emails you receive, and any conversations you have with authorities.
5. Follow legal advice. Lawyers are the architects of the law. Let your lawyer advise you on what to do and give him a chance of helping you to navigate the legal processes smoothly.
In short, “If you receive a hit-and-run notice in the mail, read it carefully, contact a criminal defense lawyer, do not contact the police without an attorney, cooperate if contacted by the police, gather evidence, and follow legal advice,” remarks Steven M. Levin, a car accident lawyer in Chicago.
Can You Report a Hit and Run the Next Day?
In my own opinion, you should report a hit and run accident as soon as possible after the accident. However, you must know that the time limit for reporting any auto accident differs from state to state.
For example, in Washington, you must report the hit and run accident within the following 4 days, just like other accidents.
In California, the law requires you to report the hit and run accident within the first 24 hours. You will need to report to the local police or report California Highway Patrol.
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In Texas, the law requires the hit and run victim to have reported the incident within the first 7 days.
If you are living in Illinois, you must have reported the hit and run crash within the first 10 days.
What you must know is that some states will penalize you if you do not report the hit and run or any other auto accidents within the stipulated time. For instance, you will be charged with a felony if you failed to report the accident in Chicago, Illinois.
In California, hit and run accidents must be reported within 24 hours to the police and within ten days to the DMV if there is property damage exceeding $1,000, injuries, or death.
How Long After a Hit and Run Will You Receive a Letter Saying That You Are Charged?
After a hit and run incident, the timeline for receiving a letter saying that you are charged can vary depending on several factors. Here is what I suggest:
1. Police investigation. Police will not send you a hit and run notice in your mail not until they have proved you have connections to the hit and run crime at the table.
We all know that police investigations take time, right? some cases can easily be concluded in hours, days, weeks, months, and or years.
2. Statute of limitations. How long you will receive a hit and run notice in your mail depends on the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is the time frame within which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. In most states, you must file lawsuits within the first 12 months of it involved only property damages.
Recommended reading: Why Do I Need to Hire a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney?- lawyer
Additionally, lawsuits involving deaths or injuries must be filed within the first 3 years according to some states. This implies that you should expect to receive the hit and run notice any date before the statute of limitations period.
3. How long it will take you to receive a hit and run notice in your mail also depends on the outcome of the accident. In some states, you will receive the mail in 5-7 days if the accident involved only property damages.
Hit & Run Letter Received in Mail to Meet with Traffic Investigator
Receiving a hit and run letter in the mail can be a stressful experience. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Contact a criminal defense attorney right away. Make sure you talked to the lawyer before meeting the detective personally. You do not want to say things that will be used against you later, right?
2. Do not go to the police station. It’s your right not to give statements to the police or to remain silent. Make sure you are in the company of your lawyer while at the police station.
3. Retain an experienced hit and run defense lawyer. Sometimes your car could have been impounded by police. The hit-and-run accident lawyer will help you to get your car released by police.
4. Consult an attorney immediately before taking any action. Sometimes, you may get a notice in your mail informing you that a lawsuit has been filed against you.
I highly recommend seeking professional legal representation right away. Lawyers know better how to navigate the complex law processes and this increases your chances of being acquitted.
In short, “If you receive a letter to meet with a traffic investigator regarding a hit and run, contact a criminal defense attorney, gather information, cooperate with the investigation, follow up with the police, and consult with an attorney before taking any further action,” says Susan L. Novosad, an accident lawyer in Illinois.Illinois.
How to Prove Innocence in Hit and Run?
Committing a hit and run comes with severe punishments including fines, prison time, suspension/ revocation of your driver’s license, and many others.
To some states, the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident go as high as $50,000 in fines, and up to 25 years in prison. If there are ways you could defend or prove your innocence, please do as soon as possible.
Recomended reading: How much does a hit and run lawyer cost?
If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident and want to prove your innocence, there are several steps you can take. Here are some tips from the experts:
1. Find out who is at fault. You could try private investigations to prove to the police which driver was at-fault for the crimes.
2. If it’s true you were involved in the accident and you think you have no case to answer, prove it right before the authorities. Gathering information like location, time, and date, as well as the make and model of the other vehicle will help.
3. Collect evidence. Take photos of the scene including damages to the cars, and injuries, and record eyewitness statements.
4. Check for surrounding cameras. check in the neighborhood of the accident scene for security cameras. Accident footage captured by a nearby camera may help in proving your innocence.
5. Speak to a lawyer. You may have all the proofs in the world but fail to parade them before the jury. Hiring an accident attorney will definitely help.
6. Cooperate with the police. What you tell police investigators will help a lot. Provide police all the information they need as far as the hit-and-run investigations are concerned.
7. Prove your innocence in court. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense and is highly punishable by law.
If you are called upon to appear in courts of law, be ready to parade all the pieces of evidence you collected. You will need eyewitness statements, photos, and surveillance footage of the scene.
Chances of Getting Away with Hit and Run?
According to my research, the chances of getting away with a hit and run are pretty high. In fact, research has shown that more than 90-95% of cases of hit-and-runs are not investigated or punished by authorities.
in short, “Only about 10% of hit-and-run cases are solved due to a lack of evidence. The penalties for hit and run can be severe,” remarks Dov Apfel, a car accident attorney in Chicago.
How Likely Is It to Find a Hit and Run Driver?
Well, how likely it is to find a hit and run driver depends on many factors like the circumstances of the accident and the outcomes. Below are some factors that can affect the chances of finding a hit and run driver:
1. Location. Hit and runs that occur in locations other than crosswalks or roads are the highway is likely to be identified.
2. Presence of witnesses. If witnesses were present right at the scene where the crash occurred, there is no need of fleeing the scene because you will be found.
3. Involvement of children. According to statistics, around 60% of drivers who committed hit and run involving children are identified. This is contrary to around 39% of accidents involving adults.
4. Driver characteristics. Drivers that leave the scene of an accident are likely to be young drivers with a history of DWI and license suspension.
Hit ad run drivers are most likely to have a positive blood alcohol content. If you hit children under 15 or a woman, your likelihood of being found is pretty high.
In short, “Finding a hit-and-run driver is challenging due to the high burden of proof, but witnesses, video surveillance, DMV records, and legal assistance can increase the likelihood of identifying and prosecuting the responsible driver,” says Megan O’Connor, a personal injury lawyer Illinois.
Am I Entitled to Any Damages in a Hit and Run Case Where I Was the Victim?
According to many states, no person should be injured due to another’s negligence.
If a person is injured out of your negligence, you will be held responsible and you will be asked to pay damages or losses incurred by the other party.
The victim will be entitled to damages like medical bills, emotional distress, lost earnings, lost potential to earn, and pain and suffering.
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The victim has a right to sue you or file a claim settlement against your insurance company.
In short, If you are the victim of a hit and run, you may be entitled to damages. You can file an insurance claim and take legal action against the driver if they are caught.
How Long Will It Take for a Citation for a Hit and Run?
The length of time it takes you to receive a citation after a hit and run accident depends on the complexities of the crash. In most states, expect to receive the citation days or weeks after the incident.
Time for a citation also depends on the outcome of the tests, violations, and offenses you are accused of.
For instance. Leaving the scene of an accident in Michigan involving property damages is a hit-and-run felony and will add 6 points to your driving records.
If you receive a citation that adds 12 points to your record, your driving rights could be suspended.
After getting involved in an auto crash and reporting to the police, it’s likely to receive a ticket in your mail if police find you guilty of any traffic violations.
In short, The length of time for a hit and run citation varies, ranging from immediate issuance to several weeks or months. It is advisable to consult with an attorney before speaking to the police.
Conclusion.
Receiving a hit and run notice in the mail is a serious and terrifying situation. Consult a lawyer, gather information, report the collision, and contact your insurance company.
Sources
1. Hit And Run Notice In The Mail. vulawoffice. https://vulawoffice.com/hit-and-run/hit-and-run-notice-in-the-mail/
2. What to Do After a Hit and Run. statefarm. https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/what-to-do-after-a-hit-and-run
3. Leaving the Scene | Failing to Stop After an Accident. sillslegal. https://www.sillslegal.co.uk/services-for-individuals/motoring-offences/fail-to-stop
