Top Rated Richmond VA Hit and Run Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
A Richmond VA hit and run accident occurs when an individual involved in a crash leaves the scene without performing certain functions. This violation is also called leaving the scene of an accident. A hit and run offense 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 can include incarceration, a fine & loss of driving privileges. If you have been involved in an accident in Richmond VA 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 Richmond VA hit and run criminal defense attorney.
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Experienced Richmond Leaving The Scene of an Accident Defense Attorney
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Richmond VA criminal law defense firm that specializes in defending hit & run leaving the scene of an accident cases. Our law 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 Richmond hit-and-run violation 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 in Richmond VA.
Skilled Richmond VA Hit and Run Criminal Defense Lawyers
Representation for Richmond VA Hit and Run Police Investigation
Richmond Police and State Police investigate traffic crashes that involve a party who leaves the scene of the accident. These law enforcement investigations almost always start with the Richmond Police making contact with the owner of the suspect vehicle. These accident 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 Richmond 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: Richmond VA police officers and hit and run detectives are trained professionals.
Free Consultation with Most Rated Richmond VA Hit & Run Lawyers
Some people think they do not need help from a Richmond VA hit and run attorney. These cases are more serious than you think. A lack of experience and legal knowledge are primary considerations. The average person does not understand the best course of action to defend a hit and run leaving the scene of an accident case. Or worse, they mistakenly believe they can simply deal with the Richmond Police on their to straighten everything out. Our experienced Richmond VA hit and run attorneys know the best tactics for obtaining the best results. Our lawyers spend hours in the Richmond VA Courts every week. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
Richmond VA Hit & Run Accidents Involving an Occupied Vehicle
Va. Code 46.2-894
prohibits a driver involved in a Richmond VA accident to leave the scene of the accident 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 required to report name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration to Richmond Police or State Police and to the injured party or to a person of the attended property. This offense is a felony if the accident results in injury or death of any person or property damage exceeding $1000. Otherwise, the violation is a class 1 misdemeanor if the accident results in property damage of $1000 or less.
Richmond Hit & Run Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a legal rating service comprised of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas including hit and run lawyers who have attained a high-degree of recognition and achievement. This organization recognizes the top rated lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Richmond VA law firm has 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 lawyer who specializes in Richmond hit and run cases.
Assistance Requirements for Richmond Hit & Run Personal Injury Cases
Va. Code 46.2-894 has a reasonable assistance provision. The driver of any vehicle involved in a Richmond VA accident is required to 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 he shall as soon as reasonably possible make the required report to Richmond 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.
“AV Preeminent” Richmond Hit & Run Lawyer • Martindale Top Rating
For over 135 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been the authority for evaluating the legal ability and ethical standards of lawyers through a Review Rating system established by judges and attorneys. Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an AV Preeminent® rated Richmond VA law firm that defends hit and run cases. The top Martindale rating standard. This is awarded to top rated lawyers who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards. Retain a Martindale AV Preeminent rated Richmond VA hit and run defense firm for your case. Review the law firm’s legal rating and exercise caution before you retain a Richmond VA attorney with an inferior rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Leaving the Scene of a Richmond VA Accident Unattended Property
Our top rated Richmond VA Hit and Run Lawyers will successfully present your best defense. Va. Code § 46.2-896 requires the driver of any vehicle involved in a Richmond 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 Richmond 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.
Superb Avvo Rated Richmond VA Leave Accident Scene Lawyers
The Avvo Lawyer Rating can help you find the right hit and run lawyer in Richmond VA. Avvo was derived from “avvocato”, the Italian word for lawyer. Avvo is a legal directory that rates legal professionals using a mathematical model on a scale of 1 (Extreme Caution) to 10 (Superb). Members of our Richmond VA law firm that defend hit and run cases maintain a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. Avvo collects information from state bar associations, other organizations that license legal professionals and thousands of consumers to calculate its legal rating. The same set of standards are used for every attorney that is evaluated. The Avvo rating is merit based. You cannot pay a fee to improve your Avvo rating.
The Hit and Run Law Also Applies to Passengers of Involved Vehicles
The hit and run law does not only apply to the driver. Va. Code §§ 46.2-895 & 897 requires certain persons accompanying the driver involved in a Richmond accident to make a report in cases involving attended property and unattended property. Persons age sixteen or older who were in the vehicle at the time and had knowledge of the accident are also required to ensure a report is made to the Richmond 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.
Platinum Client Champion Award • Top Rated Richmond Hit & Run Lawyers
The Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes attorneys for excellence. This award assists potential clients understand the real world experience previous clients have had with Richmond hit & run lawyers. Our Richmond leaving the scene of an accident attorneys maintain a Platinum Rating – the highest rating possible. This award is given to Richmond hit and run lawyers who have received the highest number of client reviews with a score greater than 4.5/5.0. This award is a testament to our dedication to client service and a commitment to providing excellent legal representation. The award also recognizes our ability to navigate the often complex legal landscape and obtain positive outcomes for our clients.
Defenses to Richmond VA Hit & Run Criminal Offenses
There may be defenses to your Richmond VA hit & run leaving the scene case. The prosecution has to prove the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. A top rated Richmond VA hit and run attorney may be able to raise reasonable doubt that the prosecutor cannot meet their burden of proof. Lack of knowledge is also a defense. The Richmond Commonwealth Attorney also has to 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.
Richmond VA Hit and Run Nolle Prosequi
Leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to attended property over $1000 or personal injury is a felony. Hit and run cases are aggressively investigated by Richmond Police and prosecuted by the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. In this case, we developed a defense that the driver of the suspect vehicle could not be positively identified beyond a reasonable doubt. This is an element of the offense. We also put together mitigation evidence. In the end, our Richmond VA hit and run lawyers were able to convince the prosecutor to drop or nolle prosequi the case. NOTE: Convincing the Court to dismiss this kind of case is extremely difficult. Click on Case Result Image for actual court record
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Hit & Run DISMISSED Court of Appeals
Our Richmond VA hit & run lawyers defended a client who was accused of 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 trial Judge found our client guilty but we believed the trial Court misapplied the law and made an error. We appealed the case to the Court of Appeals. We convinced the appeals court that the trial court erred. The conviction was reversed and dismissed. See case file for full opinion.
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3/28/2024 | Updated 11/17/2024