Being involved in an auto accident of any kind is a scary and stressful event. Unfortunately, traffic accidents are a part of driving on the roads today. You’re aware of this already, because it’s not uncommon to see damaged vehicles and an emergency crew on the side of the road as you drive along I-64 or travel from Suffolk to Virginia Beach. Making matters worse is the fact that many of these accidents often end in serious injury.
Being accused of a hit-and-run crash will add to this already stressful situation of dealing with an auto accident and the injuries that follow. Some hit-and-run drivers don’t care about the accident and the injured parties involved. Other hit-and-run drivers are either wrongfully accused or had a good reason for leaving the scene.
Being charged with a hit-and-run is a serious offense and should not be taken lightly. Those who are charged with a hit-and-run face the following legal penalties:
- Class 4 misdemeanor. You will be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor if the vehicle or property damage is less than $250 and the vehicle was unattended. This will also apply if the passenger does not report an accident. A Class 4 misdemeanor is punishable by only a fine.
- Class 1 misdemeanor. If the hit-and-run accident had less than $1,000 of property damage and the vehicle was occupied, or if the vehicle was unoccupied and damage was between $250 and $1,000 than the driver can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. This is punishable by up to one year in jail.
- Class 5 felony. If the vehicle was occupied and an injury, death, or more than $1,000 in damages resulted, then a Class 5 felony may be charged. This is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
As you can see, the consequences of a hit-and-run accident can be severe. If you have been charged with a hit-and-run it is important to seek legal guidance. Fill out the contact form on this page to learn more about how we can help your situation.