Stamford Hit-and-Run Lawyer
Every licensed driver in Connecticut has several things they are required by law to do after being involved in an auto accident. As any experienced defense attorney can affirm, failing to fulfill those requirements can lead to steep criminal penalties. When you have been criminally charged for a “hit-and-run”—or, as the Connecticut General Statutes refer to it, “Evading Responsibility”— contact a Stamford hit-and-run lawyer to protect your best interests.
What Counts as Evading Responsibility in Connecticut?
Whenever someone in Connecticut gets involved in a traffic accident that results in property damage, physical injury to anyone involved, or a fatality, they must immediately stop their vehicle at the scene and render aid to anyone in need. This can include summoning emergency services or police if necessary. Additionally, all involved parties must provide their name, address, driver’s license ID number, and vehicle registration number to every other person involved and to any police officers who respond directly to the accident scene.
Anyone who is unable to provide their information at the scene of the wreck for any reason must file a written accident report with local police as soon as is practical. As per Connecticut General Statutes § 14-224, these requirements apply to everyone involved in a crash, regardless of who was or was not at fault for causing the accident in the first place. Anyone who fails to meet these requirements for any reason may face criminal charges under that statute for “Evading Responsibility.”
Motorists accused of this crime will need assistance from a seasoned Stamford hit-and-run attorney for the best chance of resolving their case favorably.
Possible Penalties from a Hit-and-Run Conviction
The severity of hit-and-run charges in Connecticut varies depending on the accident’s severity. Fleeing the scene of a crash that only results in property damage is punishable by between $75 and $600 in fines plus a maximum one-year jail term for a first-time offender. Subsequent offenses are punishable by $100 to $1,000 in fines.
Evading responsibility for an accident that results in physical injury to anyone else is punishable by these same ranges of fines but with a longer possible prison term of up to five years. Hit-and-runs from crashes that cause serious or fatal physical injury are felony offenses punishable by between two and 20 years of imprisonment and a maximum of $20,000 in fines. An Evading Responsibility attorney in Stamford could further explain the potential penalties for a specific set of circumstances during an initial consultation.
Speak With a Stamford Hit-and-Run Attorney About Your Legal Options
While it is possible in many situations to proactively fight back against criminal charges for Evading Responsibility, it is by no means a simple process, especially if you try to defend yourself without guidance from seasoned legal counsel. Fortunately, you have help available from a knowledgeable Stamford hit-and-run lawyer who has years of experience helping people through similar cases.
Call the Law Offices of Mark Sherman today for a consultation, and click here to view our certified reviews from previous clients.