Houston Hit and Run Lawyer

When an accident occurs, one of the most important legal requirements is that you stop and stay at the scene until help is provided, information is exchanged, or the police arrive. When someone fails to do that, it is called a hit and run, and it is a criminal offense.

If you are charged with a hit and run, it is critical that you take those charges seriously and get legal support to guide you through the process. Our Houston hit and run lawyer at the Law Office of David A. Breston is ready to help support you throughout this process. Contact us today for a free consultation.

You Have to Stop

Under Texas Transp. Code Ann. § 550.021, when an accident occurs involving injury or death, or the possibility of either, a vehicle must stop at the scene of the accident or as close as possible without obstructing traffic. They must return to the scene if the vehicle does not stop and remain there until certain requirements are met. If a person does not stop, they are in violation of the law.

What Are Penalties After a Hit and Run Occurs

It is common for a driver to believe nothing is wrong and continue on. Other times, the driver may have hit property and left the scene because they did not see any damage. However, doing this can result in significant penalties.

• If a person does not stop and the accident involves serious injury or death to the other person, you may be facing third-degree felony charges with jail time of 2 to 10 years and a fine of $10,000.
• If the accident involved some injury, the charges may include 5 years in prison or 1 year in county jail and a fine of $5,000.
• In situations where the accident involved property damage, a person can be charged with a Class C misdemeanor in situations where the damage is $200 or less, resulting in a fine of $500. If it is more than this, a Class B misdemeanor may be applied, which requires a fine of $2,000 or less and jail sentencing of up to 180 days.

Whether you hit a parked car and fled the scene or you struck a vehicle on a highway and continued on, you could be facing criminal charges that could impact your future for years to come. Contact a Houston criminal defense lawyer to help defend you.

Let Us Develop a Legal Strategy to Protect Your Rights

A good starting point is to understand the charges you are facing and the evidence against you by speaking with a Houston hit and run lawyer. It may be possible to develop a defense in this case based on the amount of damage expected and reality or other factors contributing to the incident.

In all situations, at the Law Office of David A. Breston, our attorneys will work closely with you to ensure your rights remain protected. Set up a free consultation with our experienced Houston hit and run attorneys now to learn more about the defense strategies that may be available to you in navigating any type of charge you may be facing.