What Happens if you Leave the Scene of an Accident?

Unfortunately, car accidents happen all too often. These types of events can happen to you or someone you know at any time. You may feel like leaving the scene of an accident is your best choice because its a traumatic situation and it’s your fight or flight reaction to want to go. Do not leave the scene of an accident because it can cause major consequences.

What happens if you leave the scene of an accident? The majority of the time something bad will happen when you leave the scene. Felony charges, warrants, misdemeanors, and more could affect you. Do not leave the scene of an accident.

Leaving the scene can result in some of the following consequences:

Hit-and-Run: Misdemeanor or Felony

Misdemeanor Hit-and-Run happens in most states if someone leaves the scene of an accident that results in property damage. This means that no one was injured in the accident that took place. a misdemeanor usually comes wth fines around a thousand dollars and possible time in jail up to a year.

Felony Hit-and-Run involved an accident that has injuries to others. This could be a passenger, driver, pedestrian, bike rider, etc. These types of crimes of a felony will be much more severe. A felony hit-and-run varies by state to sate in terms of penalties but most will probably be jail time and fines upwards of 10,000.

Warrant out for your arrest

Leaving the scene of an accident will result in a warrant out for your arrest. The police and courts will want to speak to you. Before a warrant is issued the law enforcement officers will conduct interviews, look for video footage, and more if they know you fled the scene. Warrants do not expire so even a simple traffic stop will alert the police that a warrant has been issued for you and you will be arrested.

Who is allowed to leave the scene?

Hit-and-run laws will not apply to those who were not directly involved by the accident. This would be witnesses, passengers, etc. They can generally leave the crash site without reproductions.

Drivers legal duties at the accident scene

This will depend on what state you’re in and this information can typically be found within your States Vehicle Code section of your state’s law. With that said there are general steps to follow if a car accident has happened.

• Make sure your vehicle is completely stopped while not blocking traffic if it is safe to do so.
• Provide assistance to injured drivers, passengers, or pedestrians if possible. Call 911 and provide the necessary data and assistance to responders when they arrive on the scene.
• Contact law enforcement so they can come to the scene. Once there provide an accident report.

Hit and run is not a great idea

If you find yourself in an accident and are thinking of fleeing don’t. Criminal penalties like fines and jail time are very possible. And your headaches won’t stop there.

Youll likely has your driver license suspended for a period of time, car insurance hikes will come and possible lawsuits if the injury was also involved. It is best to stay and scene and corporate and if you can hire an attorney if needed to help with navigating the process.