St. Louis, MO Hit and Run Lawyer

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Attorney

Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal violation that can have serious consequences in Missouri. If you have been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, also known as a hit and run accident, you need a qualified and skilled St. Louis hit and run defense lawyer.

Any person who is driving a vehicle and involved in a car accident resulting in injury or property damage must follow certain procedures immediately following the incident. In Missouri, if you have been involved in an car accident, you must:

  • Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so;
  • Take reasonable steps to help any injured person, including calling for assistance from emergency medical services;
  • Provide personal information, including your name, address, motor vehicle number, and driver’s license number to other party.

If you are unable to provide your personal information to other party, Missouri law requires you to provide this information to the nearest police station and also file an accident report. If any of these procedures are not followed, you may be charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Penalties for a Hit and Run Charge in Missouri

Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident is a Class A misdemeanor, except it will be classified as a Class D felony if the accident resulted in:

  • Physical injury to another party; or
  • Property damage in excess of one thousand dollars; or
  • If the defendant has previously pled guilty to or been found guilty of a violation of leaving the scene of an accident.

Contact a St. Louis Hit and Run Defense Lawyer

Leaving the scene of an accident is a very serious charge that requires the immediate assistance of a skilled St. Louis criminal defense attorney. At Henderson & Waterkotte, P.C., our criminal defense attorneys will carefully and thoroughly investigate all the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest. We will aggressively fight to protect your rights and defend your freedom, while zealously working to obtain the best possible result for you. We understand the seriousness of a Missouri hit and run charge, and that is why we are available to assist you 24/7. Contact us today to learn more about how the law applies to your specific situation.