Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney Warns That Leaving the Scene of an Accident Is Always a Serious Criminal Offense With Harsh Potential Penalties.

Every day, all over Illinois, good people get involved in traffic collisions. Often, it is a stress for a driver. Usually, motorists understand that after a traffic incident they have to stop and exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver. However, sometimes the fear and anxiety can easily overtake common sense. As a result, sometimes, people drive away. Moreover, often, people think that because it was just a “fender bender,” there is no need to report the incident. In fact, this is not true. Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney stresses that Illinois law requires anyone involved in a traffic accident, to stop immediately and exchange information before leaving the scene. Moreover, if you stop your vehicle after the incident but fail to identify yourself, a prosecutor can still charge you with leaving the scene. Finally, these Illinois laws apply regardless of who was at fault.

Examples of Types of Hit and Run Cases That Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney Regularly Handles.

• First, a driver hit another vehicle causing only minor property damage.
• Second, a driver hit another vehicle causing property damage with a minor or serious injury or death.
• Third, a drunk driver hit another vehicle, left the car at the scene and run away.
• Fourth, a driver hit a road signed that caused property damage to Cook County.
• Fifth, a motorist hit a parked car causing property damage to the owner.
• Next, a driver hit a pedestrian causing property damage.
• Finally, a driver hit a bicyclist causing both bodily injury and property damage.

Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney Aggressively Defends His Clients Charged With Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Cook and Surrounding Counties.

The state can charge a driver with either a misdemeanor or a felony leaving the scene of an accident charge. A prosecutor makes the decision how to charge a driver based on the amount of property damage. Next, a prosecutor makes this decision based on the seriousness of injury as well. Therefore, if you caused a serious injury to a passenger and left the scene, the State can and probably will file felony charges against you. Therefore, it the state charged you with leaving the scene, do not take your charges lightly. First, you can face tough criminal penalties. Sometimes, the court could sentence you to serve time in prison. Second, your insurance rates can go up. Finally, the Secretary of State can suspend your driver’s license.

What You Should Do If You Hit Another Vehicle Explained by Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney.

According to 625 ILCS 5/11-402(a), the driver of an accident that resulted ONLY IN DAMAGE to a vehicle must immediately stop at the scene. First, that driver has to give his or her name to another driver. Second, his or her address. Third, registration number. Finally, the name of the owner of the vehicle the driver was operating. Specifically, a violation of this rule is a Criminal Class A misdemeanor. The court can punish you with a fine of up to $2,500. Next, you can spend up to one year in a county jail. Moreover, if the damage to a vehicle was more than $1,000, the Secretary of the State can suspend your license.

Your Duties if You Hit an Unattended Vehicle or Someone’s Property Vehicle Explained by Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney.

In the first place, under 625 ILCS 5/11-404, a driver has very similar duties if he or she hits an unattended vehicle. First, there is a duty to stop. Second, there is an obligation to locate the owner of the unattended vehicle or the owner of the property. Third, a driver should provide to the owner the information about his or her driver’s license, insurance, and registration. However, there are situations when it is not possible to locate the owner of an unattended vehicle. In that situation, you should leave and securely attach a note with your information on that car or property. Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney recommends to take a picture of that note and keep it as the proof that you left it.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries.

If a hit and run resulted in a bodily injury or death or another person, Illinois law requires you to stop immediately at the scene. The state will charge you with a Class 4 Felony if you fail to do that. Above all, a Class 4 Felony conviction could lead to a prison sentence of up to 3 years. Additionally, you will have to pay a fine in the amount of up to $25,000. Usually, punishments for felony hit and run vary depending on the severity of the injuries and whether a driver or passengers were killed.

An Experienced and Aggressive Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney on Your Side.

In the first place, you should never talk to the police or an insurance company without talking to Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney first. Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Tikhvinskiy has experience and knowledge to resolve your case. Often, his effective defense strategies forced states attorneys to dismiss or reduce charges filed against his clients. Almost always, the early intervention by Attorney Tikhvinskiy was the key to get those great results. Therefore, if the State charged you or your loved one with leaving the scene of an accident, you should immediately call Chicago Hit and Run Criminal Defense Attorney at (312) 583-7345. Always, the first consultation is free and 100% confidential!