The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is urging drivers to be more cautious about pedestrians and bicyclists on the road, saying the number of hit-and-run fatalities has hit a record high. There are many potential ways to resolve a hit and run unattended case that can help you avoid a criminal conviction.
Sometimes the motivation to flee is obvious, such as when a drunk driver with a criminal record does not want to go to jail or when the driver in uninsured. However, for less severe cases, such as those where only property damage has occurred, it is less clear why someone would put themselves in legal jeopardy by fleeing the scene.
Some research says that drivers likely experience a flood of emotions including fear, shame and guilt, which overwhelm their sense of self-control. Those emotions can be made worse by alcohol, a factor in about 30 percent of traffic fatalities nationally.
Currently, every state has laws that make it illegal for a driver involved in a crash to flee the scene. State penalties vary depending on the type of crash. A Washington State hit and run unattended charge is a misdemeanor criminal offense punishable by up to a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. A conviction for hit and run unattended will not suspend or revoke your driver’s license but may increase your insurance costs.
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident and have questions about your case or are not sure what the steps you should take next, contact an attorney at Elsner Law Firm today for a free case evaluation and discover the benefits a personal injury lawyer can bring to your case.