About 11% of all car accidents involve a driver fleeing the scene. Personal injuries as a result of a hit and run can take years to recover mentally, physically and emotionally. Our attorneys can obtain the compensation you deserve through various avenues, including insurance and possibly your employer.

In North Carolina, a hit-and-run offense is covered by GS § 20-166 Duty to Stop, which states:

a driver has a duty to stop in the event of an accident

Both parties must provide the other person involved with their identification, contact information, and insurance information.

a driver must offer assistance to any injured person in the event of this case.

a driver must remain at the scene of the accident until police and related personnel have completed the investigation

GS § 20-166 further discusses driver liability and classifies the severity of the offense as a misdemeanor or a felony.

If the driver knows or should reasonably know that the collision caused property damage, they can be charged with a misdemeanor. Property can include someone else’s vehicle, home, bicycle, pet, and mailbox, or public property such as a telephone pole. If the driver knows or should have known that the accident resulted in serious injury or death, the driver may be charged with a felony.

Hit-and-run violations are on the rise.

It continues to increase every year. It is important to be vigilant along the way and to know how to respond to this case if you are ever faced with one. The following is a statistical snapshot of hit and run cases over the past 5 years. According to research obtained from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the number of cases increased by 50 percent between 2012 and 2016.

Total deaths from crashes resulting from these cases

2012: 10,385 213,605 15

2013: 11,198 220,271 23

2014: 11,626 226,552 20

2015: 13,612 251,638 24

2016: 15,353 267,494 23

The importance of a hit and run lawyer.

Whether you are the responsible driver in a case or the victim, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney to represent you as soon as possible.

If you are the accused driver, it is important that you understand your rights and what the North Carolina duty to stop laws entail. It employs a structured sentencing system, and depending on your case, a hit-and-run conviction could result in a hefty fine, jail time, or both.

An experienced attorney will help you understand the charges that have been brought against you, as well as the penalties that can result from a conviction. Your attorney will work with the other parties involved, including insurance companies and the District Attorney’s Office to help you navigate your case, resolve disputes, and provide a strong defense against any criminal charges.

Don’t fight your hit-and-run case alone.

An experienced Sanford personal injury attorney will work on your behalf, whether you are a victim or the party accused of committing the crime. Whether it’s identifying the driver or navigating the complex world of filing documents to support your case, your attorney can help you recover damages or defend you to give you peace of mind.