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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HIT & RUN CHARGES

Admin • January 18, 2018
About Hit & Run Charges — Eau Claire, WI — Cohen Law Offices
Hit and run accidents happen all the time, often resulting in civil and criminal charges. While many hit and run accidents involve other vehicles, they may also include pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, parked cars, and even private property.

Anytime a driver flees the scene of an incident or fails to provide this information, even if he or she would not be considered to be at-fault for the accident, they may be arrested and charged with a hit and run.

WISCONSIN REQUIREMENTS FOR CAR ACCIDENTS

If you are involved in a car accident in Wisconsin, you must share your name, address, insurance information, and driver's license number. You must also offer reasonable assistance if another driver is injured. This assistance may include calling 911 or helping somebody exit a vehicle.

If you are unable to find the owner of the property you have hit, you are required to leave a note with your contact information and then report your incident to law enforcement. Failure to follow these steps could lead to criminal charges.

WISCONSIN PUNISHMENTS FOR HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS

Punishment for hit and run charges typically associates with the level of injury related to the accident. No matter the case, misdemeanor and felony hit and run charges both come with fines and jail or prison sentences.

Misdemeanors accompany up to one year in jail, but a hit and run accident with no injuries may lead to a six-month sentence.
If you are charged with a hit and run leading to an injury that does not involve great bodily harm, you may face up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

If you are charged with causing great bodily harm, you are likely to be charged with a Class-E felony, which comes with a maximum of 15 years in prison.
If you are being charged with homicide as a result of the accident, you may face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
You may face additional charges and punishments if the hit and run accident is thought to be related to intoxication or drug use.

WISCONSIN EVIDENCE FOR HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS

Wisconsin prosecutors will scour all evidence from the scene of the accident, but they may also turn toward your personal property. For instance, one Wisconsin case was recently solved by looking at text messages indicating that the defendant's car had been damaged.

Other pieces of evidence that may be used in court include vehicular damage, eyewitness testimony, videos, and photo evidence.
In some cases, people have even left their vehicles at the scene of the accident to flee on foot, whereas others have accidentally left evidence like license plates and entire bumpers.

WISCONSIN DEFENSES FOR HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS

Several methods of defense are available for individuals charged with hit and run in Wisconsin. For instance, you might argue that you did not know that you had hit the car or property. A defense like ignorance is hard to prove in court, but it may work in some cases.

You may be able to argue that you did leave the scene of the accident but also came back upon realizing what had happened. You might also argue that you did not stop at the scene because you did not find it safe to do so.

If you are convicted of a hit and run in Wisconsin, you are subject to both criminal and civil penalties. Plus, you might see an increase in your insurance prices and find it difficult to find and maintain employment.

The Cohen Law Offices, LLC is here to help you fight back against hit and run charges. We make every attempt to defend your rights in court to prevent damages you may face.
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