Leaving the scene of the accident is a serious criminal charge. To protect yourself against consequences that could affect you for the rest of your life, you should contact an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible.
At the Zolman Law Firm, our lawyers defend people who are charged with all kinds of traffic offenses, including criminal charges such as hit-and-run accidents. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and your options. We have offices in Mid County and South County in St. Louis.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident May Be Charged as a Felony
Leaving the scene of an accident may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. In Missouri, you may be charged with a felony:
- If damage to the other vehicle exceeds $1,000. Since vehicle repair costs continue to escalate, even a minor fender-bender in a parking lot can result in a felony charge if you leave the scene.
- If a person in the other vehicle is injured. You may also be subject to a civil lawsuit to pay for the other person's medical bills and other damages.
As with any other criminal charges, you should not talk to police or even your own insurance company without legal advice. Calls you make to your insurance company are recorded, and any admissions you make can be used against you in your criminal case.
If police contact you, you should not lie or do anything to obstruct justice. Instead, you should politely decline to answer questions until you talk to a lawyer.
Contact a Missouri Left Accident Scene Lawyer at the Zolman Law Firm
The longer you wait to speak to an attorney, the more damage you may do to your case. For a free initial consultation with an experienced St. Louis leaving scene of accident lawyer, call 314-714-5532 or send us an e-mail.
