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Leaving the Scene of Accident / Hit and Run in Louisiana
Call Us | 318-377-1555
Criminal Defense Attorney in Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, & Ruston, LA
All drivers are required to take certain measures following a car accident in Louisiana. Drivers must stop and render aid to anyone who needs it. They must exchange contact information with each other, including phone numbers, driver’s license information and insurance information. Additionally, drivers must move vehicles out of the way if they can do so safely and call police to report the accident. Emergency aid should be summoned as soon as possible after discovering that someone was hurt.
The failure to take any of these steps following a Louisiana car accident can result in serious consequences, including license suspension. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in which penalties can escalate if prosecutors determine that others were seriously injured or killed. To fight the charges against you and work to keep your driving privileges, speak with an experienced Louisiana hit and run defense attorney.
Defining Hit and Run Accidents in Louisiana
State law defines a hit and run accident as the failure of the driver who was involved in an accident to stop and render aid, and exchange information with the victim. Rendering aid and exchanging information are procedures you must follow by law after an accident occurs. Fleeing the scene of an accident can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges.
Misdemeanor Hit and Run
Most instances of hit and run accidents are charged as misdemeanor crimes. This means that a person can face up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $500. Hit and run can send a person to a mandatory 10 days in jail if the prosecutor can prove that the driver consumed drugs and/ or alcohol prior to the accident taking place, the consumption of the substances had a significant contribution to the accident, and the driver attempted to avoid legal penalties by fleeing.
Felony Hit and Run
If the facts of the case support the allegation of death or serious injury, leaving the scene of an accident could lead to felony charges. When death or serious bodily harm occur as a direct result of the accident, and when the driver knew or should have known that death or serious injury occurred, the driver can expect felony charges against him or her.
Penalties for felony hit and run can include a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 10 years, or both. This offense is probatable, meaning that the judge may decide to suspend the sentence and place the offender on probation.
Administrative Penalties
Upon leaving the scene of an accident, a driver may face license suspension, even if no one was hurt. If you have lost your driving privileges following a hit and run accident, you should know that there is a mandatory license suspension period in Louisiana. In addition, you must pay a $60 reinstatement fee on top of any additional fees owed. A hit and run accident can also significantly raise your insurance rates and cause you to pay restitution to any victims who were injured. All of this is possible in addition to criminal penalties. Contact a determined criminal defense lawyer in Louisiana who handles hit and run accidents to preserve your rights.
For over 20 years, attorney Eric Johnson of The John D. & Eric G. Law Firm has dedicated his career to defending individuals accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout Louisiana. He provides a world of support for those who face criminal charges and has extensive experience negotiating with prosecutors and trying cases in court. Call 318-377-1555 for a free consultation, or fill out our contact form.