The Basics of a Hit and Run Charge
Hit and Run is the type of charge that any one of us can find ourselves facing. It is stressful enough for a person to be involved in a car accident. Even though most drivers know that they have to pull over and exchange information with the other driver, the stress and fear often overtakes their better judgment. Nonetheless, in Washington State, hit and run offenses are taken very seriously by the law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges. Depending on the circumstances, hit and run charges vary from a misdemeanor to a serious felony charges. As such, the consequences range from civil penalties to long jail term, license suspension, and potential immigration consequences.
If you are facing a hit and run charge it is important that you speak to a Seattle hit and run lawyer as soon as possible. At Community Law Firm, our hit and run attorneys aggressively defend drivers facing hit and run charges.
To speak to an experienced hit and run lawyer about your charge, call us today for a free initial consultation at (206) 771-4343.
It is vital that you speak to a Seattle hit and run lawyer before you speak to law enforcement!
The seriousness of a hit and run charge depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Below is a list of different hit and run offenses and discussion of consequences of each.
HIT AND RUN – ATTENDED
Drivers can find themselves facing hit and run attended if they are involved in a collision with an occupied vehicle and leave the scene without leaving their name, address, vehicle, and insurance information with the other driver. Because hit and run attended involves a person, the penalties and consequences are substantially higher than they are for a hit and run involving an unoccupied vehicle.
Hit and run attended is a gross misdemeanor. Driver convicted of a hit and run attended could be facing a maximum sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. In addition, there is a mandatory 1-year driver’s license revocation. There are also immigration consequences for drivers who are not United States citizens.
If you are facing a hit and run attended charge, speak to our attorney as soon as possible! Call us today at (206) 771-4343 for a free consultation!
HIT AND RUN UNATTENDED
Drivers can find themselves facing hit and run unattended charge if they are involved in a collision with an unoccupied vehicle and fail to leave their contact information with the owner. If the owner cannot be located, you must leave your contact information on the struck vehicle.
Hit and run unattended is a misdemeanor. It is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. There is no mandatory driver’s license suspension or revocation.
Even though the penalties for this charge are not as severe as the penalties for hit and run attended, the law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts take it very seriously.
If you are facing a hit and run unattended charge, call our lawyer today for a free consultation. Our number is (206) 771-4343
FELONY HIT AND RUN
Felony hit and run is similar to hit and run attended. As mentioned above, hit and run attended involves leaving the scene of an accident involving an occupied vehicle. However, a felony hit and run also involves an injury or death to the occupant.
The penalties for a felony hit and run depends on whether it involved injuries or death. Hit and runs involving injuries are Class C felonies; those involving death are Class B felonies. Contact our office to go over potential penalties.
In addition, there is a 1-year mandatory license revocation.
Do not wait to speak to a Seattle hit and run lawyer, contact our office today at (206) 771-4343
For more information about our firm, please visit our home page.
We also represent clients with hit and run charges in other cities. In King County we represent clients in Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Des Moines, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Shoreline, and Tukwila.
In Snohomish County defend Hit and Runs in Everett, Lynnwood, and Mill Creek.
For help with charges in any of the municipalities above, please call our Seattle hit and run lawyer at (206) 771-4343
