Hit and Run
This crime is defined as a failure to stop following
a vehicular accident in order to exchange information
(name, license number, insurance information, etc.)
with the parties involved. In cases where injury
has occurred, the law requires a person to address
the needs of the victim or victims as necessary,
which may include calling emergency medical personnel
or waiting until help arrives. In cases where no
witnesses are present or the victim is not present,
hit and run law requires that the person responsible
for an accident leave a note with all pertinent contact
information. It should be noted that this requirement
does not infringe on a person’s right to refrain
from an admission of guilt, however, as this exchange
of information is considered a report and not a guilty
plea.
Hit and run statistics show that nearly eleven percent
of all vehicle accidents are hit and run car accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
reports that the rate of hit and run accidents increased
by fifteen percent from 1998 to 2002 throughout the
United States.
A hit and run violator can be required to compensate
the victim for his or her losses, or have their license
suspended or revoked, or also face criminal/punitive
fines. In more serious cases an offender may also
be required to serve jail time, and may face points
on his/her insurance or DVM records. In Texas, the
punishment for a hit and run violation can range
from a fine not to exceed $5,000 to not more than
5 years in prison.
If you believe you may have a hit and run case and need a Dallas
Lawyer, contact us today for more information.
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