Chances are that at some point in your life, you will be the cause of a car accident. This might be a small issue, such as bumping another car in a parking lot. Or, it might be a bigger accident that potentially does damage to another vehicle or another person.
If you are in a car accident and you are responsible for it, it is important not to panic. Your instinct might be to leave and not deal with the accident. However, this will only make matters worse. Accidents happen, but evading responsibility is a crime. If you have been charged with evading responsibility, you can learn more here.
Evading Responsibility
If you cause an accident and flee the scene, you are committing a crime. This action is called evading responsibility. It is also known as a “hit-and-run.” Also, it can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony in the state of Connecticut. The severity of this charge will be based on the damage that your vehicle caused during the accident. So, if the accident you caused resulted in the serious injury of another party, it will be considered a felony offense. Damage to another person’s property or minor injuries will likely result in a misdemeanor charge.
Note that evading responsibility, unlike other motor vehicle violations, is not simply a minor infraction where you face fine and perhaps some points assessed against your license. It is actually considered a crime, and as such, you face jail time for the issue.
If evading responsibility is treated as a felony, you face certain penalties. You face a jail sentence of 1-10 years or a fine of $10,000. If it is treated as a misdemeanor, you face up to a year long jail sentence. Also, you face a fine of $600.
Let Us Help
It is never in your best interest to flee the scene of an accident, whether you caused the accident or not. This can lead to additional charges being brought against you when you are found by the police. If you were involved in a hit and run and you have not turned yourself in, you should contact a criminal defense attorney. Such an attorney can help you strategize your next move. We are happy to assist with your situation. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.