A hit-and-run is either a misdemeanor or felony offense in Louisiana, depending on the circumstances of the hit-and-run accident. A misdemeanor hit-and-run typically involves minor hit-and-run accidents with no serious injury or a non-serious injury and results in misdemeanor charges. However, if the hit-and-run accident caused injury types regarded as “serious,” significant property damage, or death, it is classified as a felony hit-and-run, leading to severe felony charges under Louisiana hit-and-run laws.
If you’re facing allegations of felony hit and run or if you’re the victim of a hit and run accident, it’s essential to seek guidance from a Baton Rouge hit and run lawyer who can determine your legal avenues. Call the Law Office of Ossie Brown at (225) 343-1111 to arrange a free consultation, or fill out our online intake form.
What Constitutes A Hit And Run Accident in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the legal definition of a hit-and-run accident is the act of a hit-and-run driver leaving the scene of a collision without fulfilling legally required obligations. This applies to any hit-and-run accident, regardless of the severity of property damage or injury involved.
Specifically, if a driver hits any other party or property and the crash results in injuries, death, or property damage, they are obligated to stop their vehicle immediately and render aid. By law, they must then exchange information, including their driver’s license, registration, and car insurance information, with the other vehicle involved, as required by Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws, to avoid facing misdemeanor or felony charges for the car accident.
Criminal Charges for a Hit and Run Offense
Hit-and-run offenses carry significant legal penalties under Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws.
In a hit-and-run accident resulting in property damage and non-serious injury only, the driver of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run accident may be charged with a misdemeanor offense. However, if the car accident caused injury, or if the injuries to the other driver led to death, the hit-and-run driver could face a felony charge. Penalties for a felony hit and run may include fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and even jail time.
Misdemeanor Hit and Run Penalties in Louisiana
A misdemeanor hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver fails to immediately stop and provide reasonable assistance or information at the accident scene. Penalties for a hit-and-run misdemeanor offense can include fines, driver’s license suspension, and potential jail time. The severity of the penalties for misdemeanor charges often hinges on the extent of property damage, if the hit-and-run driver hit a parked car, and whether there were serious injuries sustained in the car accident.
Felony Hit And Run Penalties in Louisiana
In Louisiana, a felony hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver fails to immediately stop and render aid after a car accident, resulting in serious personal injury or significant property damage. The criminal penalties for a felony hit-and-run violation are severe and can include substantial fines, lengthy driver’s license suspension or revocation, and potential imprisonment.
Individuals convicted of a felony hit-and-run crime may also be required to make restitution payments to victims.
Factors That Elevate A Hit And Run To A Felony
A hit-and-run offense can be elevated to a felony crime in Louisiana based on several factors. Reckless driving that leads to a car accident resulting in serious injury to the other party or death can escalate the offense to a felony under Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws.
Additionally, if the hit-and-run accident caused significant property damage or if the offender has a history of similar offenses on their driving record, the car accident may also be classified as a felony hit-and-run under Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws.
If you believe you may be charged with reckless driving, contact an experienced Baton Rouge reckless driving lawyer for a free consultation.
The Impact Of Serious Bodily Injury On Criminal Charges
When serious bodily injury occurs in a hit-and-run car accident, the legal penalties can escalate dramatically. In Louisiana, causing serious injury to another individual can elevate the offense to a felony crime. The legal penalties for this felony offense can include hefty fines, potential imprisonment, and the possibility of a permanent criminal record.
Additionally, the hit-and-run driver may also face civil liability for the personal injury sustained by the victim. This could entail covering medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses incurred by the injured person. Judges may also impose punitive damages for gross negligence as part of the civil penalties.
Since these tickets affect insurance in Louisiana, the offender’s car insurance rates could potentially significantly increase. The combination of criminal penalties, potential civil penalties, and long-term repercussions underscores the gravity of causing serious bodily injury in hit-and-run accidents under Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws.
The Investigation Process In Hit And Run Cases
Law enforcement officials meticulously comb through the scene of the accident for evidence, including any available identifying information from the vehicles involved. Authorities may also utilize surveillance footage or CCTV cameras to track vehicle movements. If the driver’s license or vehicle information is left behind, it aids in tracing the hit-and-run driver. Depending on the severity, the car accident may be classified as either a misdemeanor or felony hit and run.
Whether the car accident was classified as a misdemeanor or felony hit-and-run, the primary objective remains identifying the perpetrator, particularly if any personal injury (serious or non-serious) is involved, to ensure justice.
I Committed A Hit And Run. How Long Will It Take For The Police To Find Me?
The timeframe for police to locate a hit-and-run driver varies based on the circumstances surrounding the car accident. Factors like the accident’s severity, witness availability, and evidence left at the scene influence the investigation’s pace. Law enforcement prioritizes finding the responsible party, using resources such as surveillance footage, vehicle registration databases, and witness interviews.
What Happens to Hit-and-Run Drivers Who Are Later Found By Their License Plate?
When hit-and-run drivers are later identified through their license plate number, they may face serious criminal penalties. Law enforcement agencies utilize vehicle registration databases to trace the vehicle’s owner and, subsequently, the person responsible. The driver may face criminal charges, including leaving an accident scene, reckless driving, or, if serious fatalities occurred, vehicular homicide in Baton Rouge.
Furthermore, they may face civil penalties, including punitive damages, for any damages sustained by the other party involved in the car accident.
How To Protect Your Rights After A Hit And Run Accident
If you or your vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, protect your rights by not making any statements without consulting a Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney experienced in Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws. Contact an experienced defense attorney immediately, preserve any evidence of injury or property damage, and document your recollection of events. Your attorney will guide you through the legal process and work to protect your rights.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Baton Rouge, protect your rights by gathering as much information as possible at the scene. Report the car accident to law enforcement immediately and seek medical attention for any injuries. Contact a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer promptly to ensure you receive the compensation for medical bills and property damage you deserve.
The Importance Of a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Felony Hit And Run Charges
When facing charges for a felony hit and run, the importance of a defense lawyer cannot be overstated. Felony charges carry severe legal penalties, especially if the felony hit and run resulted in injury or death. A skilled defense attorney can ensure your rights are protected by building a strong defense strategy, challenging evidence, and working to establish reasonable doubt.
Additionally, a defense lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to potentially reduce felony hit-and-run charges or seek alternative sentencing options to help you avoid jail time or a revoked driver’s license.
Baton Rouge Criminal Defense Lawyer for Hit and Run Charges
If you’re the driver or the victim of hit-and-run accidents in Baton Rouge, contact the experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Ossie Brown. Our Baton Rouge lawyers have the experience and knowledge needed to protect your rights. With their guidance, you can effectively navigate the complexities of your case and work towards the best possible outcome.
Contact the Law Office of Ossie Brown today at (225) 343-1111 or complete the online intake form to set up your free consultation today.
