hit and run LAWYER In San Diego
When you have been arrested for fleeing the scene of a car crash, I can help you fight the charges. I am hit and run defense attorney Peter M. Liss. I graduated from the top-ranked University of California, Berkeley Law School, and I have experience successfully defending people just like you who have been charged with criminal traffic offenses, including hit and run accidents in San Diego County.
You can schedule a free consultation at my Vista criminal defense office by calling (760) 643-4050 or my more central San Diego law office by calling (858) 486-3024. As a highly rated hit and run lawyer, I guarantee my clients receive top-quality representation at affordable rates.
About Hit and Run Accidents in San Diego
One thing many people fail to understand about hit and run car accidents is that you do not need to have caused the crash to be charged. Even if someone else hits your car, you can face criminal charges if you leave the scene of the accident without providing the other driver with your information.
Hit and Run Laws Don’t Just Cover People or Vehicles
While some people think you can only be charged with hit and run if you leave after hitting a car or a person, it’s important to note that this law also covers non-vehicle property such as a mailbox or someone’s pet. You can be charged with leaving the scene in San Diego County any time you are involved in an accident and leave without giving your name, contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number.
You Can Leave to Seek Medical Attention
It is worth mentioning that you can legally leave the location of an accident to seek emergency medical assistance for you, your passenger or someone else injured in the accident. In these cases, you must tell hospital officials or the police about the incident so they can identify anyone else involved and give them your contact and insurance information.
If you are charged with a hit and run even though you went to get emergency care and provided the police or hospital staff with information about the accident, your hit and run attorney in San Diego can use this information to have the charges dropped.
Penalties for Fleeing the Scene of an Accident
The charges filed in a hit and run accident will vary based on the specific circumstances of the incident, including whether someone was injured or only property damage occurred, if anyone suffered great bodily injury and if the defendant has any prior convictions on their record. If a person injured in a hit and run accident has died, the defendant can even face vehicular manslaughter or homicide charges. The prosecution may file animal abuse charges when an animal dies after a hit and run crash.
Felony Hit and Run Penalties
Felony hit and run charges, covered by California Vehicle Code 20001 (VC), will be filed if you fled from the scene when someone was injured even just a little. Penalties for cases that involve injury or death include jail or prison time, a driver’s license suspension and substantial fines, even if you were not responsible for the accident. The maximum sentence for the charge, when filed as a felony, is up to 4 years in prison. The state may also be able to permanently seize your vehicle, whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony.
Penalties for Property Damage Hit and Runs
Suppose you leave the location of an accident that only results in property damage. In that case, you will face misdemeanor hit and run charges under California Vehicle Code 20002 (VC), where the maximum penalty will be $1,000 and 6 months of jail time. Regardless of the type of damage, the law allows the state to seize your vehicle in some cases.
Fighting Hit and Run Charges
In many hit and run cases, an attorney may be able to have the charges reduced or secure an alternative sentence such as community service to help you avoid incarceration. When no injury occurs, the case may even be dropped if the other party agrees, which they often do when you agree to a civil settlement to cover the damages. Anyone charged with hit and run must contact a San Diego hit and run lawyer as soon as possible to secure the best results given the specific circumstances of your case.
Hit and Run Defense
Top San Diego Attorney
If you have been accused of this serious charge, I can help you. I have over 35 years of experience handling misdemeanor and felony criminal traffic cases just like yours and have successfully tried hundreds of cases.
With You Every Step of the Way
Throughout the course of your case, I will advise you about the status of your case, argue for reduced bail, make necessary court motions (such as suppressing evidence), seek the reduction of charges, and fight for alternative sentencing or the lowest possible sentencing available.
Defending You in Court and Out
As your attorney, I can even take you to the police or sheriff’s station and aid you during questioning if they ask you to take your vehicle in and describe what happened. By doing this, I can protect you from saying something that may be used against you in court. I will then go on to represent you at your trial or in a plea bargain, and in most misdemeanor cases, you will not need to appear in court.
I’m available, let’s talkHow I Can Help
Defend You Against the Charges
I will help you evaluate all possible legal defenses to this crime, including that you were not the one driving, were seeking medical attention, or did not realize that you were involved in an accident. Alternatively, if the arresting officer made a mistake, this could provide grounds for evidence to be suppressed or for the charges to be reduced or dropped. After working with you to establish the most robust defense for your specific case, I will help investigate your case and gather evidence on your behalf to support it.
Service You Can Rely On
When you work with me on your hit and run case, you can be sure that I am the only attorney working on your case. You can always expect an immediate, courteous response after contacting me any time of day, thanks to my live, 24-hour answering service.
Call My Offices Today
If you or a loved one has been charged with a hit and run accident, please call my offices in Vista (across the street from the North County San Diego courthouse and jail) or San Diego (located off the I-5 in Carmel Valley) to schedule a free initial consultation. I offer reasonable rates and accept all major credit cards.
How to Contact Attorney Peter M. Liss
For skilled IMMEDIATE help with a hit and run defense in Vista or San Diego, call:
Call 24/7, any time, any day. I can help you.