Anyone can find themselves in a hit and run situation. It only takes a bit of distraction or some bad coordination. Whether you are new at driving, or you had a slip-up, you can end up dealing with this scenario. Do you awkwardly wait until the owner of the car comes out and notices? Or do you just keep going and act as if nothing happened? Well, it is never a good idea to keep driving away, especially here in Texas. The law takes this offense very seriously. Let’s go over this crime and how you can deal with the situation correctly, so you don’t get arrested for it.
What Is a Hit and Run?
You can be charged with a hit and run when you don’t stop after a car crash that involves death, serious injury, or proper damage. A hit and run is also known as “leaving the scene of an accident.” A hit and run can take place when the other vehicle is also driving on the road, when the other vehicle is parked, when you hit an object, or when you hit a person, and you keep driving away. This offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the situation.
How Can Police Charge You With It?
The police can charge you with this offense if they can link your particular vehicle to the crash, as well as prove that you were driving that vehicle. If a witness saw the accident and got your license plate numbers, then you are likely to receive a letter from the police about being a suspect and needing to be interviewed. There can also be physical evidence, such as paint transferred during the crash, fingerprints, or your own injuries.
What to Do When You Accidentally Hit a Parked Vehicle
If you accidentally hit a parked vehicle, your first reaction might be to keep driving, especially if no one saw you. However, Karma can come back to bite you, and you never truly know if no one was watching, or if there are any cameras.
If you don’t want to wait around for the owner of the other car, leave a note in a plainly visible spot in or on their car with your name, phone number, and summary of what happened. Regardless if there is any visible damage, this is how you handle the situation legally.
The best solution is to not ignore what you just did, even if the victim isn’t present. Leave a physical note, if you don’t know how to contact the owner of the property you damaged. And if the victim of the hit and run is present, it’s better to deal with the consequences up front, than to get chased down and arrested by the police.
Get In Touch With ABC Bail Bonds
If you have been arrested for a hit and run, get in touch with Delta Bail Bonds right away. Our bondsmen can grant you a speedy release. All you have to do is pay a small percentage of the bail amount, and we will cover the rest. Everyone makes mistakes, and we are here to help you get your life back on track!
