A hit and run occurs when a person who is involved in an accident that causes property damage, injury or death does not stop or flees the scene. In California, drivers involved in an auto accident that results in property damage, bodily injury, or death, are legally obligated to stop as soon as is safely possible. The law obligates drivers involved in accidents to provide the property owner or the other drivers involved with his or her contact information, driver’s license information and insurance information. A willful and intentional failure to stop and provide this information may result in serious criminal consequences.

Hit and Run Penalties

California law imposes serious penalties on drivers who flee an accident that caused a death or either a minor or permanent injury. The punishments for leaving the scene of an injury accident, even if you did not cause the accident, can include large fines and jail or prison time and suspension of your driver's license. Depending on the facts of your case, a hit and run may qualify as a felony or a misdemeanor.

The driver may be charged with a misdemeanor if the hit and run is one which causes minimal property or personal damage. If found guilty of a misdemeanor hit and run, the driver may face a county jail prison term of up to 1 year and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000. On the other hand, accident causes permanent bodily injury or the death, the driver may be charged with a felony. A felony conviction may result in a state prison sentence of 2, 3, or 4 years, a county jail term of at least 90 days to 1 year, and/or a $1,000 to $10,000 fine.

Alternative sentences may be achieved in certain cases. In addition, the attorneys at The Chahine Law Firm often negotiate a Civil Compromise where the victims are fully compensated for their damages with the understanding that they will not press any charges or agree to drop or dismiss the pending charges.

Los Angeles Hit and Run Defense Attorneys

If you have been charged with hit and run after fleeing the scene of an accident or failing to provide your information, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced defense attorney immediately. A skilled Los Angeles hit and run attorney can protect your rights and provide you with the defense you need to achieve the best results possible. If you have been charged with hit & run in Los Angeles or surrounding Southern California cities, contact The Chahine Law Firm immediately. A simple phone call can make the difference between a criminal conviction and a clear record.