A Georgia Hit and Run Lawyer Helping You Get a Fair Result in Your Case
While many traffic offenses are relatively minor, a hit and run charge can be a very serious offense. In the state of Georgia, you can be charged with hit and run if you hit another vehicle and leave the scene without properly identifying yourself to the other driver or the police. If you have been charged with hit and run, hiring a Georgia hit and run attorney is your best chance to avoid conviction and the severe consequences that follow.
Understanding Hit and Run Charges
You can be charged with hit and run if you leave the scene of the accident in the following situations:
- You failed to provide your name, address, and registration of your vehicle
- You refused to show your driver’s license when requested
- You failed to provide reasonable assistance
- You failed to contact the police and emergency services when the other driver was unconscious
You could be charged with a hit and run for leaving the scene of the accident, even if you thought it was appropriate to leave. If you have been charged with hit and run, a hit and run attorney in Georgia can assess your case and help you understand your options.
The Potential Consequences of a Hit and Run Conviction in Georgia
Most hit and run offenses are charged as misdemeanors. If convicted, you could face the following punishment:
- Up to 12 months in jail
- A fine between $300 and $1,000
You will likely face heavier fines if you have a prior hit and run conviction.
However, you will be charged with felony hit and run if the accident you were involved in resulted in severe injury or death. If convicted, you face the following penalties:
- Imprisonment between one and five years
- Suspension of your driver’s license for at least four months
Whether the accident involved an occupied or unoccupied vehicle, or whether anyone was injured, a conviction can still result in jail time. Do not risk your future by assuming that the prosecution will work with you. You need an experienced Georgia hit and run lawyer on your side who can help you get a fair outcome.
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude
You can be charged with fleeing or attempting to elude the police if you willfully fail or refuse to stop when signaled to do so by the police. However, this goes beyond the typical scenario involving a siren and flashing lights—you can be charged with fleeing or attempting to elude if the police believe you ignored a hand or voice signal. Again, however, the officer must be in uniform, displaying their badge, and in an appropriately marked police vehicle.
Fleeing or attempting to elude the police is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature that carries serious consequences upon conviction:
- Between 10 days and 12 months in jail
- A fine between $500 and $5,000
Subsequent convictions will result in longer jail sentences and heavier fines. It can be charged as a felony in some situations, and you could face imprisonment of up to five years.
Contact A Georgia Hit and Run Attorney Today
If you have been charged with hit and run or attempting to elude, don’t leave your future in the hands of the prosecution. You need someone on your side who knows how to navigate the system and get you a fair result. Contact us today via phone or email to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.