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Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney
Hit and Run in Washington State
Experienced Seattle and King County Hit & Run Lawyers.
Don't take a chance with your freedom and your driving privileges.
Experienced Seattle Hit and Run Attorneys.
If you have been involved in an accident and were either arrested or believe that you may be charged with the crime of Hit and Run, our experienced traffic and criminal defense attorneys will fight to protect your rights. If you are contacted by law enforcement, it is particularly important that you exercise your right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during any questioning.
While exercising these rights is critical in all situations involving allegations of criminal misconduct, it is particularly true in Hit and Run cases because the state may have difficulty putting you behind the wheel of the car at the time that the alleged driving occurred. If, however, you admit to having caused the accident, it may be very difficult to suppress this evidence and keep it out of future court proceedings.
Washington State Law and Hit and Run Criminal Charges.
In general, "Hit and Run" criminal charges in Seattle and throughout Washington State are the result of one party causing damage to another individual's property or person after which they leave the scene of the accident prior to either contacting the property owner, calling the police, and/or producing the proper driver's licensing, vehicle information, and insurance documentation.
Hit and Run charges can be both misdemeanors and felonies, depending on the seriousness of the accident and whether or not someone was seriously injured. Under Washington State's laws, hit and run can be a very serious crime with very substantial penalties. The penalties include jail, a mandatory license suspension or revocation of one year or more, steep fines, restitution (paying for any property damage), and lengthy probation periods.
It can also lead to dramatic increases in your insurance rates and seriously impede your future job opportunities, particularly if the job requires any kind of driving. If you have a CDL or other occupational license, it is critical that you talk with an experienced traffic attorney as soon as possible.
Every Hit and Run Case is Unique.
Every hit and run case is unique and how you are charged and what penalties you face depends directly on what happened in the accident. If you need to defend yourself in criminal court from a hit and run charge, you need to be sure that you are being represented by a skilled defense attorney with experience fighting hit and run cases.
If you are involved in an accident with property damage or personal injury, you were no doubt in a very stressful situation. Anyone who has been in an accident knows how difficult these circumstances can be and the adrenaline rush that accompanies such an incident. Immediately following an accident you may not be thinking clearly, and you may make poor decisions about what you should do next.
Anyone can make a mistake, even other drivers.
If you had a moment of panic and failed to stop after an accident, we understand how this can happen. You also may be accused when you did absolutely nothing wrong. Cases of mistaken identification happen in Washington State hit and run cases all the time.
Maybe the accident wasn’t that serious and you didn’t know you had to stop. Perhaps the other car was empty and you were unsure of your responsibilities. Although not knowing the law is not a defense to breaking it, it may help explain your side to the court. In any of these situations, however, it is important to initiate an aggressive defense as soon as possible.
Everyone makes mistakes. We're all human. Whatever your situation, it will take an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side to make sure that you are properly protected and treated fairly when up against the Washington State legal system.
We are here to help you deal with your unique situation, whatever the facts may be. We are interested in learning and want to know the specifics of your case and exactly what happened. Call us for a free consultation regarding your Washington State hit and run case. Once we learn about your situation, we can advise you about your options and regarding how best to proceed given where things currently stand.
Your Legal Responsibilities in a Washington State Car Accident.
If you are involved in an accident that results in any kind of damage, whether it be to property or another person, you are legally required to stop and exchange information. Under Washington State law you have a duty to provide this information and render emergency aid if necessary. You must give your name, address, registration and show your license if requested to do so.
If the other vehicle is unattended you must make an attempt to locate the owner and leave the information where the owner can find it if you are unable to locate them.
If the other person is injured in the accident, you are required to give reasonable aid, seek emergency assistance (if necessary), and not leave the scene of the accident until law enforcement and/or paramedics arrives.
Any failure to properly perform your duties can result in serious consequences.
Failure to do any of the above can result in a ticket or traffic citation (if there was only minor property damage) or serious criminal charges (if there was an injury or serious property damage involved). Regardless of what actually transpired, your best defense is almost always to admit nothing and require that your lawyer be present for any questioning.
This is particularly true in cases involving allegations of property damage where it is not readily apparent who to contact and where there are no other witnesses to the incident. For example, what if you hit a guard rail or some other piece of property that probably belongs to the city, the county, or the state and it's late at night?
Penalties for Hit and Run in Washington State.
What you may be facing as a result of criminal hit and run charge here in Seattle or King County depends almost entirely on the specific circumstances and the severity of the accident. In Washington State, leaving the scene of an accident nearly always results in a criminal charge of some sort, assuming that someone witnessed the incident or it was recorded in some way.
There are two primary consideration under Washington State hit and run law. First, did the accident involve an allegation of hitting another person? If so, the second primary consideration kicks into effect. How seriously was this person injured?
If the person was seriously injured, and you fled the scene of an accident, you will most likely be charged with a felony under RCW 46.52.020. If no one was injured in the accident, you will probably be charged with a form misdemeanor of hit and run under either RCW 46.52.020 or RCW 46.52.010.
Misdemeanor Hit and Run in WA State.
There are two misdemeanor charges of hit and run. The key distinction is whether or not the accident involved merely hitting "property" of one form or another (including a parked car), or whether the allegation involves striking a vehicle with one or more people in it.
Hit and Run "Attended" in Washington State (RCW 46.52.020)
RCW 46.52.020 details Washington State Law with regard to accidents involving hitting a vehicle with one or more persons inside the vehicle. The misdemeanor form of this crime involves hitting a vehicle where there is either a driver or an occupant who is not injured and then leaving the scene.
Washington law requires a driver who is involved in an accident with an occupied vehicle to stop and provide his or her name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, vehicle license number, and driver's license. If a driver leaves the scene without providing this information and is later found, a charge of Hit and Run "Attended" will almost certainly be filed. Hit and Run Attended is a gross misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The state must prove that the accused was aware of the accident. It is not necessary the driver be aware that the vehicle was occupied, even though this fact is what elevates the charge from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor. If convicted of this section, your license will be revoked for a period of at least one year.
Hit and Run "Unattended" Laws in Washington State (RCW 46.52.010)
Washington law requires a driver who knows he or she has been involved in an accident that damages property (this could be an unoccupied car or some other property) to stop and provide his or her name, address, license, insurance company, and insurance policy number. If a driver is leaves the scene without providing this information, this charge could be filed. Hit and Run Unattended is a simple misdemeanor. Your driver's license is not revoked upon conviction for Hit and Run Unattended.
If you have been involved in a Washington State car accident and believe that you may be charged with Hit & Run, it is important to know your rights.
Even if you made a mistake, you need and deserve fair treatment under the WA law. We understand you may have been frightened and unsure of what to do after an accident. Not everyone knows the law. A hit and run arrest of criminal charge can have you wondering what happened, and what to do next.
We are here to listen to your side of the story and be sure that your interests are protected in the Washington State criminal courts. There are two sides to every story. We will make sure that your rights are protected and that your side of the story is heard. Call now for a consultation regarding your Washington State hit and run case. (206) 624-3644.
Don't let a Hit & Run charge ruin your life, your career, and your finances. Keep your driver's license and avoid skyrocketing insurance premiums.
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(206) 624-3644
(425) 455-2040
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When the hit and run accident involves injury to another person, penalties are much more severe. The driver may face fines, DMV points, prison time and a revocation of his or her driver's license and/or insurance policy.
In any motor vehicle accident, regardless of the outcome, it is wisest to exchange personal information with the other driver without admitting fault. In many states, fault plays a large role in insurance claims and penalties for automobile accidents. The insurance company or authorities will determine fault based on accounts from all parties involved as well as witness testimonies.
If you are involved in a hit and run accident, a lawyer experienced with hit and run cases will be able to assist you in determining the proper steps to follow. Defense attorneys may be able to reduce the crime to failure to report an accident, while prosecuting attorneys may be able to gain compensatory fees for property damage or medical bills.