Houston Hit and Run Defense Attorney

A car accident can be a chaotic time, wrought with emotional and physical injuries.  This combination can result in bizarre or abnormal behavior, even causing people to leave the scene of an accident after causing the accident.  However, it is important you always stay at the scene of the accident until you have exchanged information with the other driver or have ensured any injured individuals received appropriate medical care.  Failure to do either may result in an arrest for a hit and run and could lead to medical complications for an injured victim of the car accident.  If you have recently been arrested on hit and run charges, contact an experienced Houston hit and run criminal attorney at Mary E. Conn & Associates immediately.

What is a Hit and Runin Houston?

In Houston TX it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of some motor vehicle accidents if you were involved in it.  The Texas Transportation Code outlines the rules involving a motor vehicle operator’s required actions after a car accident that results in injury or death.  The operator must do the following:

• Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the action;
• Immediately return to the scene of the accident (if the vehicle is no longer stopped at the scene of the accident);
• Stop the vehicle without obstructing traffic more than necessary; and
• Remain at the scene of the accident to render aid to an injured person or to exchange vehicle and insurance information.

The severity of the accident and resulting injuries, as well as your behavior at the scene, will directly impact the penalties which you will face as the result of the hit and run accident. This is why you need the experienced Houston hit and run lawyer to represent you, to avoid more serious penalties for minor infractions furthering.

Hit and Run Charges

The Texas Transportation code sets out penalty ranges depending on the severity of the accident.  If the accident resulted in death or serious bodily injury, you may be charged with a third degree felony as the result of the hit and run.  If the accident led to injuries which do not rise to the level of “serious bodily injury,” you may face imprisonment of up to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, or one year in county jail as well as fines up to $5,000.

These initial charges may be increased due to facts and circumstances of your case, as well as any prior felony convictions.  If the hit and run also involves driving under the influence charges, you may face greater charges, including felony charges, if the accident led to the death of an individual in the other vehicle.  It is therefore important you contact an experienced hit and run attorney in Houston as soon as possible after the accident occurs to begin working on your defense.

Houston Texas Requirement to Stop After an Accident

If you have been in a car accident, whether it was your fault or someone else’s, you are required to fulfill some legal obligations. In particular, it is illegal to leave the scene of the accident before exchanging information with the other involved parties. This information typically includes name, insurance coverage, and contact information.

Leaving of your own volition after an accident before exchanging information is illegal, and it qualifies as a hit-and-run. These expectations are broken down in Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550, also called “Failure to Stop and Render Aid” or “Leaving the Scene of an Accident.” 

However, there are exceptions to how this law is executed. If someone was taken away for medical attention, when it is unsafe to stay in the immediate area of the accident, or when someone else is driving and you cannot stop them, these may qualify as exceptions to the rule.

In cases where a party must leave the scene, the remaining individuals are required to communicate with police officers about the incident. This makes it possible for all parties involved in an accident to stay safe and receive medical care in emergencies while also allowing all individuals to get in contact with each other. In turn, contacting other parties gives each individual appropriate opportunities to exercise their legal rights.

Houston Hit and Run Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested after a hit and run accident occurred, do not hesitate to contact Mary E. Conn & Associates.  Mary E. Conn is an experienced Houston hit and run lawyer who has years of experience in handling hit and run cases, as well as other criminal actions which may stem from a hit and run offense.  Our Houston, TX hit and run defense attorneys will work carefully with you to analyze the facts of your case and develop your criminal defense, keeping you informed throughout the process.  Contact us at our Houston, Texas office today on (713) 357-4190 for your initial free consultation.