who is the best pittdburgh defense attorney for hit and run defense?

by Cortney Cartwright II 5 min read

Voted One of the Best Defense Attorneys In Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania, you can find the experienced representation that will protect your freedom, finances, and future by calling the Law Offices of Gary E. Gerson.

Full Answer

What is a good defense to a hit and run charge?

Pittsburgh Hit and Run Attorney How a Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer Can Help. Anyone facing hit and run charges should speak with a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney as soon as they are able. Pennsylvania takes hit and run charges very seriously and they can result in serious and life-changing penalties if not handled by an experienced attorney.

Do I need a lawyer for a hit and run accident?

Feb 07, 2020 · The first step is to contact an experienced traffic lawyer. At Worgul. Sarna & Ness Criminal Defense Attorneys, we know what you’re dealing with and how to help. Let us review the situation and advise you about your rights. Call (412) 281-2146 or fill out our online contact form to set up a free initial consultation. Criminal Hit and Run Charges

Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?

Hit and run accidents are already a serious offense, but those that are under the influence of alcohol and leave the scene of an accident are subject to much worse consequences. It is essential that if you have been accused of a DUI hit and run accident that you seek comprehensive legal help immediately.

What constitutes a hit and run?

Aliquippa Hit and Run - Pittsburgh criminal defense video center. Most Popular WPXI legal analyst Blaine Jones talks with Channel 11 about guilty verdicts in Chauvin trial

Can hit and run charges be dropped in PA?

Contact an Attorney to Defend Your Rights Experienced attorneys are often able to get charges reduced or dismissed, but it is imperative that you are honest and upfront with your attorney. In some circumstances, you may not be criminally responsible for leaving the scene of an accident.

What are the charges for a hit and run in Pennsylvania?

If there is property damage and you hit and run, you can be punished with up to 90 days in jail as well as a $200 or more in fines, four (4) points on your driving record, and a possible six-month license suspension.

Is leaving the scene of an accident a felony in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident Leaving the scene of an accident where injury results is considered a 3rd degree felony, carrying a mandatory minimum 90 day jail sentence and up to 7 years in prison, along with a minimum $1,000 fine.

Do defense attorneys get paid more if they win a case?

If you win nothing, the lawyer gets no fee or merely gets costs and expenses. ... A contingency fee also rewards the lawyer for helping to win a higher amount-the more the lawyer wins for you, the more the lawyer gets.

What happens in a hit and run in Pennsylvania?

How long can you go to jail for leaving the scene in PA? A hit and run is a summary offence. ... For Felonies of the third degree involving serious bodily injury, the mandatory minimum jail penalty is 90 days. If death results, the mandatory minimum penalty is three years in jail.

How long after a hit and run accident can you be charged?

one to three yearsProsecutors can generally charge you with hit and run one to three years after the date of the incident. In cases of misdemeanor hit and run, an offender typically has to be charged within one year. With felony hit and run, a suspect has to be charged within three years.Jan 16, 2022

How do you prove innocence hit and run?

The venue where the car accident occurred is your prime spot to prove your innocence. Visit the place to collect the possible evidence by clicking pictures of the accident scene. What matters is the placement of both the vehicles involved in the accident, the road, weather conditions, and everything else possible.

What is a hit and run crime?

What is a hit and run? A road accident counts as a “hit and run” if a driver leaves the scene without providing their details to the other party or parties involved. This is considered a criminal offence, and the offending driver could face charges of reckless or negligent driving.Oct 11, 2016

How long do police have to file charges in PA?

There is no time limit to bring charges for serious crimes such as murder, but lesser offenses have between a 2- and 12-year statute of limitations, depending on the specific offense. The deadline for filing misdemeanor charges, for instance, is 2 years.Sep 21, 2020

How do you win a court case in 5 minutes?

0:318:41Win Most Court Cases in 5 minutes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver you unless you've harmed somebody. And until that's happened you have to voluntarily go intoMoreOver you unless you've harmed somebody. And until that's happened you have to voluntarily go into some sort of contract arrangement with them. So what we want to do though is to stay respectful.

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

Why is my attorney not fighting for me?

File a complaint. Their job is to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct. If you are not sure whether or not your complaint is actionable, you can call the Attorney Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP). They may also be able to help you resolve conflicts before a complaint is necessary.Apr 5, 2019

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

According to Pennsylvania State laws, drivers must legally stop and check on the other drivers if they are involved in an automobile accident. They must not leave and come back; they must stop immediately after the incident and call appropriate medical help and police to come to the scene of the accident.

Consequences Involved

Those that are found to be guilty of driving drunk, getting in an accident and then leaving without checking on the other drivers faces significant penalties. If any individuals involved were killed as a result of the hit and run, the minimum prison sentence is three years and could be as long as 10 years.

Aggressive and Experienced Legal Help

We aim to guide each individual through the legal process, allowing for evidence to be accumulated and for witnesses to testify on their behalf. Our knowledgeable firm will not relent until the case is closed and we will do all that we can to produce the results you deserve.

Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP

We Fight For Injured People. Serious About Service. Serious About Results. Call Today for your FREE CONSULTATION

Need help with a Motor Vehicle Accident matter?

You've come to the right place. If you've been in a car wreck, motorcycle accident, or injured by any other type of motor vehicle, a motor vehicle accidents lawyer can help.

Need an attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from criminal defense to personal injury to estate planning.

Want to check lawyer discipline?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

What are the defenses to hit and run?

If you are facing hit and run charges, there may be a defense available to you based on the specifics of your case. The three most common defenses that attorneys raise for this specific charge include: 1 Involuntary Intoxication: This defense may also be referred to as diminished capacity. Essentially, your attorney will assert that you believe you were drugged, and became involuntarily intoxicated which caused you to become involved in the accident. It is important to note that this defense is unlikely to work unless you have strong evidence to prove your claim; 2 Responding To an Emergency: If you fled the scene of the accident because you were responding to an emergency, such as driving to the hospital, you may be able to use that as a defense against hit and run charges. However, you should keep in mind that it is ultimately up to the authorities of each specific jurisdiction to determine whether the circumstances constituted an actual emergency; and/or 3 Unaware Of an Injury, or Lack of Knowledge: To reiterate, the crime of hit and run depends largely on whether the offender was even aware of the fact that they caused damage or injury. It will most likely be difficult to establish that you were actually unaware of what occurred because of your actions.

What is hit and run?

A hit and run accident occurs when the driver of a vehicle hits another vehicle or a pedestrian, bicyclist or even non-moveable property, then leaves the scene where the accident occurred without checking on anyone or leaving any identifying information. A party to a vehicular accident is legally required to stay on the scene ...

Can you be charged with a hit and run?

You can be charged with a hit and run offense even if you were not at fault, or if the other driver was at fault, or if you didn’t even hit another vehicle. There are still duties that must be met. Parties involved in an accident are required to: Remain on the scene (and, usually, wait for police officers);

Is hit and run a felony?

It is very serious to be charged with a hit and run offense. Depending on the resulting damage and injury, or even loss of life, the driver at fault may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. A situation where the victim of the accident sustained serious injury or death is much more likely to be charged as a felony, ...

What are the defenses to hit and run?

What are Common Defenses to Hit and Run? 1 The accident only caused injury to the defendant.#N#One of the elements in defining a hit and run is that there was an injury to another person or thing. This means that if you can prove that the accident only affected the defendant, then you have a good defense. 2 You did not willfully leave the scene.#N#If the defendant left the scene because it was not safe to stay there, they may not be charged with the offense. This will raise questions about if they notified the police or paramedics after the accident. 3 Lack of knowledge.#N#It is difficult to hold someone liable if they didn’t know that they caused damage to a person or property. You can use this as a defense, but you also risk being found as reckless or negligent.

What is a hit and run charge?

A hit and run is defined as being in an accident with a pedestrian, another car, or a fixed object, and then leaving the scene without identifying yourself or seeing if anyone or anything needs assistance. It becomes a hit and run charge when you leave the scene.

How much is a hit and run fine?

The penalties for a hit and run can be quite serious. Depending on the state, you will get a big fine. Most states impose fines of $1,000 and $10,000. The fine will be on the higher end of the range if you are charged with a felony.

Who is Bradley Corbett?

Bradley Corbett is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah in 2004. Later he enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego where he participated in a prestigious internship program with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Since then he has handled over 2,000 cases.

What happens if you hit someone in California?

In California, if no one was injured in the accident, but there was property damage, it may result in a misdemeanor charge. This is because the defendant didn’t stop and identify themselves. If a hit and run occurred and there was an injury to another person, or if someone was killed in the accident, the defendant may be charged with a felony.

How long can you go to jail for a hit and run?

In most cases, you will face up to one year in jail for a misdemeanor and up to 15 years in prison for a severe hit and run felony. Other possible consequences include: Typically there is an automatic suspension of driver’s license. If someone was convicted of a hit and run, there is an automatic suspension or revocation ...

What happens if you leave the scene of an accident?

This means that if you can prove that the accident only affected the defendant, then you have a good defense. You did not willfully leave the scene. If the defendant left the scene because it was not safe to stay there, they may not be charged with the offense.

What is hit and run in California?

A hit and run accident occurs when a driver is involved in an accident and subsequently flees the scene without stopping, whether the accident involved a parked car, another car on the road, or someone else’s property. Under California law, if you are involved in a traffic accident, regardless of whether the accident was your fault, you are required to stop and exchange information with all parties involved. If the accident results in damage to a parked car or someone else’s property, you are required to stop and attempt to locate the owner. If the owner cannot be located, you must leave a detailed note that describes the circumstances of the collision and contains your contact information and driver documentation. You must also report the accident to the local police or the California Highway Patrol.

What happens if you leave the scene of a car accident?

In California, it is against the law to leave the scene of a traffic accident before producing the proper documentation and exchanging insurance information with the other parties involved in the collision, and if you leave the scene of an accident knowing that an injury likely occurred, you could be prosecuted for felony hit and run. In order for the prosecution to get a conviction under Vehicle Code § 20001 (a) VC hit and run involving death or injury, they must prove the following elements of the crime: 1 That you were involved in an accident; 2 That you knew an accident had occurred; 3 That you knew either someone other than yourself was injured or killed, or that the nature of the accident made it likely that another person was injured or killed; and 4 That you willfully failed to perform one or more of the required duties outlined by the California Vehicle Code.

Can you be arrested for a hit and run in California?

It is important to note that you could be arrested for a Los Angeles hit and run even if you were not responsible for the accident. Having a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney on your side when facing hit and run charges can significantly improve your chances of reaching a favorable solution to your case. An experienced California hit and run defense attorney will hold the prosecution to its burden of proof and can develop a strong defense strategy on your behalf. The following are some arguments your attorney may use to defend you against hit and run charges: