Top Rated Henrico County VA Hit and Run Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
A Henrico County hit & run accident occurs when a person involved in a collision leaves the scene without performing certain functions. This offense is also called leaving the scene of an accident. A hit and run violation is a criminal offense and can either be a felony or a misdemeanor depending on whether there was an injury or amount of property damage. Penalties may include incarceration, a fine & loss of driving privileges. If you have been involved in an accident in Henrico County that is being investigated by law enforcement as a hit or run or you have already been arrested, then you will need a top rated Henrico VA hit and run criminal defense attorney.
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Experienced Henrico Leaving The Scene of an Accident Defense Attorney
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Henrico County VA law firm that specializes in defending hit & run leaving the scene of an accident cases. Our firm has been successfully representing clients for over 60 combined years. Our firm is recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. A violation of the hit-and-run law can result in serious consequences. A common misconception is that you must be the at-fault driver to violate this law. NOTE: An arrest for hit and run is NOT a conviction. Do not waive your rights. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that defends hit and run cases.
Most Rated Henrico VA Hit & Run Criminal Defense Lawyers
Free Henrico VA Consultation with Top Rated Hit & Run Lawyers
The biggest issue with representing yourself after leaving the scene of a Henrico County accident is lack of experience. Hit & run cases are adversarial in nature and most drivers in this situation lack experience on how to handle a police encounter or to present valid defenses before the Henrico Courts. Our top rated Henrico VA hit & run lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining the best results. Our lawyers spend hours in the Henrico County VA Courts every week and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who make the arrests. This local knowledge is invaluable when defending a Henrico County hit & run case.
Henrico VA Leave Scene of Accident Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a lawyer rating service of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas including hit & run cases who have attained the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes. Our Henrico County VA leaving the scene of an accident lawyers have been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of the Virginia lawyers are named to this list and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a top rated Henrico VA hit & run attorney who has been recognized with this elite award.
Representation for Henrico County Hit and Run Accident Police Investigation
Henrico Police and State Police investigate traffic accidents that involve a party who leaves the scene of the accident. These law enforcement investigations almost always start with the Henrico Police making contact with the owner of the suspect vehicle. These cases sometimes involve witnesses who were involved in the incident, independent witnesses and video evidence. Law enforcement will eventually want to speak with who they identify as a target of their investigation. Speaking with Henrico Police about a hit and run incident without first consulting a lawyer or having a lawyer present who regularly represents clients in this area can be a huge mistake. CAUTION: Law enforcement officers are trained professionals.
Henrico VA Hit & Run Accidents Involving an Occupied Vehicle
Va. Code 46.2-894
prohibits a driver involved in a Henrico County accident to leave the scene if there is personal injury or damage to attended property. The law requires that you stop immediately as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic. The driver is also required to report name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration to Henrico Police or State Police and to the injured party or to a person of the attended property. A violation of this law is a felony if the accident results in injury or death of any person or property damage exceeding $1000. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor if the accident results in property damage of $1000 or less.
Assistance Requirements for Henrico Hit & Run Personal Injury Cases
Va. Code 46.2-894 has a reasonable assistance provision. The driver of any vehicle involved in a Henrico County accident shall render reasonable assistance to any person injured in such accident, including taking such injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital if it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary or is requested by the injured person. If the involved driver is unable to comply due to injuries sustained in the accident, then the driver shall as soon as reasonably possible make the required report to Henrico Police or State Police and make a reasonable effort to locate the person struck or the person of the attended property, and report his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number.
Leaving the Scene of a Henrico VA Accident Involving Unattended Property
Our top rated Henrico County VA Hit & Run Lawyers will successfully present your best defense. Va. Code § 46.2-896 requires the driver of any vehicle involved in a Henrico VA accident involving unattended property to make a reasonable effort to find the owner of the property and provide his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration. If the owner cannot be found then a note is to be left along with a written report to Henrico Police or State Police within 24 hours including date, time and place of the accident along with a description of the property damage. If injured, the driver shall make the report as soon as reasonably possible. A conviction is punishable as a misdemeanor.
The Hit & Run Law Also Applies to Passengers of Involved Vehicles
The hit & run law applies to others in addition to involved drivers. Va. Code §§ 46.2-895 & 897 require certain persons accompanying the driver involved in a Henrico County accident to make a report in cases involving attended property and unattended property. The law requires persons age sixteen or older who were in the vehicle at the time and had knowledge of the accident to ensure a report is made to the Henrico Police or State Police within 24 hours. Such report shall include name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration. A violation is a felony if there is injury. Property damage only cases are either a class 1 misdemeanor or a class 4 misdemeanor depending on damage amount.
Defenses to Henrico VA Hit & Run Criminal Offenses
There may be defenses to your Henrico County VA hit & run case. The prosecution has to prove identification of the driver that fled the scene beyond a reasonable doubt. A top rated Henrico County VA hit & run attorney may be able to raise reasonable doubt that the prosecutor cannot meet their burden of proof that you were the driver. Lack of knowledge is also a defense. The prosecutor must prove that you knew of the accident and that you had actual knowledge that someone was injured or property was damaged. Finally, you may have tried to stop, but the other driver was the one who actually left the scene, but later reported the collision as a hit-and-run.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Hit & Run DISMISSED Court of Appeals
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law represented a client who was charged with violating the felony hit & run leaving the scene of an accident law. During the trial, the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence of personal injury and the evidence of property damage did not prove damage over $1000. The Circuit Court Judge found our client guilty but we believed the trial judge misapplied the law and made and error when he found our client guilty. We appealed the case to the Court of Appeals. We convinced the appeals court to reverse the trial court’s ruling. Our client was acquitted and the case was dismissed. See case file for full opinion.
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12/19/2023 | Updated 11/4/2024