If you leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information with the other party or talking with authorities at the scene, you may be committing a hit and run. What makes up a hit and run, and what are some defensive strategies for it?
What Qualifies an Accident as a Hit and Run?
A hit and run involves a party fleeing the scene after an accident; in some cases, this can occur unintentionally and without criminal malice.
In order to be classified as a hit and run, one the following must be true:
- An accident occurred, whether or not one car hit another
- Someone else’s property, i.e. mailbox, fence, etc. was damaged
- One or more persons prematurely drove away from the scene of the accident, even if they were not at fault
Defenses for a Hit and Run
Types of hit and run defenses include, but are not limited to:
- Only your vehicle was damaged – Driver left the scene without getting the other party’s information because no other vehicle or property item was damaged.
- You were not aware of the accident, nor were you aware that damage was caused – Driver left the scene because he/she was unaware that another person, driver, or property was harmed.
- You were not involved in the accident, but someone else in the vehicle was – Person left the scene because he/she was not driving the vehicle involved in the accident.
- You were responding to an emergency – Driver left the scene of the accident to attend to an emergency, such as driving victims to the hospital.
Contact Our Experienced Fresno Attorney
When defending against a hit-and-run charge, working with a legal professional is key. Attorneys use their knowledge and background of criminal defense to gather evidence and defend you. They work to advise you, represent you in court, and even to minimize or eliminate the effects of the charge.
At The Law Office of Brian C. Andritch, we know how to defend you. We are passionate about protecting the rights of our clients, and we use our previous experience to build a strong case in your favor. With our “Superb” rating by Avvo® and over 18 years of experience, our Fresno criminal defense attorney maintains a track record of success.
Contact us at The Law Office of Brian C. Andritch at (559) 484-2112 for a free consultation. Don’t wait – start building your hit-and-run defense today.