www.kisslinglaw.com
In NC you have several duties when involved in an accident.
In North Carolina, when you are involved in an accident there are
certain actions you must take. If you fail to follow through with those
actions, you may be charged with
hit and run if you
leave the scene of an accident without proper notification or other
actions, depending on the seriousness of the accident.
When you are in an accident, adrenaline can be high. It is difficult
to make good decisions when you are under this kind of stress. We know
that perhaps you made a mistake when you left the scene of the accident,
or perhaps you didn’t even realize you had been involved in an
accident.
Our attorneys have successfully defended all types of misdemeanor and
felony charges in the North Carolina Criminal Courts. We know the
courtroom players and have gained the respect of many within the system.
Having handled hit and run cases before, we have probably handled on
very similar to yours. However, all cases are different and
we are interested in the particulars of your case.
We want to understand how the accident happened and hear your side of
the story. Only then will be be able to advise you on your best course
of action in your legal situation.
And we offer our advice in a free legal consultation. There’s no obligation, so feel free to contact us.
North Carolina Hit and Run – Duty to Stop Laws
North Carolina law requires that you stop after being involved in any
accident. When you stop you are required to provide the other driver or
pedestrian with “reasonable” assistance if they are injured and give
information such as your name, phone number, and insurance company to
any other driver of another car involved in the accident.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Hit and Run Penalties
If you fail to fulfill your
duty to stop, you may be
charged with hit and run. The category of this offense and the
potential sentence depend on the severity of the accident.
If the accident only results in property damage and/or minimal injury, you are facing
Class 1 misdemeanor charges. Misdemeanor
hit and run for leaving the scene of an accident with
property damage or minor injury carries a potential sentence of
up to one year in jail as well as fines.
If the accident results in
death or a serious injury,
Class H felony
charges may be filed. Felony hit and run carries a potential sentence
of up to 8 months for a first time offender. This means if you have no
criminal history, 8 months is the most time you will be sentenced to.
If, however, you have prior convictions on your record, this sentence
can be increased substantially.
Depending on your record, you may be eligible for probation rather than prison time.
