Hit and Run Lawyer in St. Clairsville

If you’ve been involved in a road accident in St.Clairsville and failed to stop or provide your details, you can be charged with hit and run. This offense is taken seriously in Ohio, so it’s important to have the right legal representation from a Youngstown traffic lawyer.

At St.Clairsville Criminal Law Group, our Ohio traffic lawyer has the knowledge and experience necessary to defend you in hit and run cases. If you’re facing charges, don’t hesitate to reach out to us immediately.

Difference of Hit and Skip and Hit and Run

In every state of the US, it’s a legal requirement to stop and provide your details to the victim or on-duty police officer if you’re responsible for an accident. Failing to stop is considered a hit and run offense. In Ohio, there are other terms used to describe the same offense, such as hit and skip or tap and run.

Failing to Stop After an Accident

According to Ohio Revised Code or ORC 4549.02, if you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, you must stop at the scene. However, simply stopping is not enough. You must remain at the scene and provide your name, address, and vehicle registration details to the other party involved, whether it’s the accident victim, another vehicle owner, or the police.

In some cases, the victim may be too injured to collect your details. In these situations, ORC 4549.02(A)(2) requires you to notify law enforcement and provide them with your information. Additionally, you must stay at the scene until the police arrive or until you’re taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

If the accident involves an unoccupied vehicle or property, you must write down your details and leave them in a visible place in or on the vehicle or property.

Failing to comply with these laws and leaving the scene without providing your details can result in a hit and run charge. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to seek the assistance of a St. Clairsville traffic lawyer. Unfortunately, wrongful charges are not uncommon. For instance, you may accidentally hit a fence or a mailbox, only to find no damage upon closer inspection. In cases like these, an experienced Ohio traffic lawyer can help prove your innocence and protect your rights.

Penalties for Hit and Run

In ORC 4549.02(B), the penalties for Hit and Run are outlined in detail. Violating the law by not stopping at the scene results in a first-degree misdemeanor charge, which carries a six-month jail sentence and a $1000 fine. If the accident causes serious injury and you flee, it becomes a fifth or fourth-degree felony. A fifth-degree felony entails a jail sentence of 6 to 12 months and a fine of up to $2500. A fourth-degree felony has a jail sentence of 6 to 18 months and a fine of up to $5000, depending on the severity of the accident. If the accident leads to death, it becomes a third or second-degree felony. A third-degree felony carries a jail sentence of 9 months to 5 years and a $10,000 fine. A second-degree felony has a jail sentence of 2 to 8 years and a fine of up to $15,000. Fleeing the scene despite knowing about the fatality results in higher felony charges.

ORC 4549.03 states that if you are involved in an accident where adjacent realty or personal property is damaged, you must stop, leave your details, and notify the owner within 24 hours. Failing to do so will result in hit and run charges, which are classified as first-degree misdemeanors if convicted.

Connect With Youngstown Traffic Lawyer

Dealing with these criminal charges can be difficult and confusing. Contact us at St. Clairsville Criminal Lawyer Group, where our St. Clairsville OVI lawyer will handle your charges and ensure the best possible outcome.

For further details, call us today at (330) 992-3036.