Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer in St Louis
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This content has been written and edited by professional legal writers and individually reviewed and verified by Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte, attorneys who have over 40 combined years in the criminal defense industry.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer in St Louis:
Keep Your Record Clean
Combs Waterkotte has helped many St. Louis, MO residents from all walks of life who have left the scene of a car accident. Our firm understands that sometimes good people get into crisis situations and ensure that our clients are listened to and valued throughout the legal process. We fight zealously to ensure that you get the best outcome for your St. Louis hit and run case and are able to put a stressful episode behind you.
"Best group of criminal defense lawyers in the St. Louis area. I can't say enough about them and the lengths that this firm will go to ensure presumption of innocence and actually fight for their clients."
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What Happens When I Leave The Scene of an Accident in St. Louis, Missouri?
The law in Missouri is quite clear about what a driver in St. Louis, MO should do if they are ever in a car accident, no matter how small.
Protect your driving and criminal record with Combs Waterkotte. Contact one of our traffic violations and criminal defense lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP.
Missouri Revised Statute §577.060 states that all parties in a car accident should stop and give the following information to each other and law enforcement:
- Their name
- Their home address
- The registration information for the vehicle involved in said accident
- Their drivers' license number
Anyone who failed to do any one of these requirements can be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The minimum punishment for this offense is a class A misdemeanor, which carries with it a maximum fine of $2,000 and as much as one year's jail time. However, if your accident was one where the assessed damage to another car was more than $1,000, or if it resulted in an injury to another person, you will be charged with a class E felony. This carries with it up to four years in state prison as well as a potential fine of up to $5,000. Repeat hit-and-run offenders are also charged with class E felonies. If the accident the accused was involved in resulted in a fatality, they will be charged with a class D felony, which has a recommended punishment of 1-7 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
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Why Choose Combs Waterkotte to Defend You Against Leaving the Scene of an Accident Charges in St. Louis
Choosing the right legal representation when facing charges for leaving the scene of an accident in St. Louis is crucial. Combs Waterkotte provides expert legal defense, ensuring your rights are protected throughout the process.
Why hire Combs Waterkotte for your hit and run defense:
- Extensive experience with hit-and-run cases in St. Louis
- Tailored defense strategies for each unique situation
- In-depth knowledge of Missouri traffic and criminal laws
- Focused on minimizing penalties and negotiating with prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges
- Assistance with administrative aspects, including license and SR-22 issues
- Direct communication with attorneys for clear, consistent updates
- Efforts to retain or restore driving privileges post-incident
- Unwavering dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for clients
What Happens if I’m Convicted of Leaving the Scene of an Accident in St. Louis, MO?
In addition to the possible criminal penalties of incarceration and fines, you can also face:
Points for Leaving the Scene of an Accident:
- Conviction adds points to your Missouri driver’s license
- 6 points for being pulled over by municipal or county police in St. Louis
- 12 points for cases handled by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and tried at the state level
License Suspension/Revocation:
- Driving privileges may be suspended due to point accumulation (8 points or more in 18 months)
- Automatic license revocation for accumulating 12 points in 12 months
Impact on Car Insurance:
- Significant increase in car insurance premiums.
- Requirement to purchase an SR-22 policy, proving minimum coverage.
- SR-22 needed for two years post-restoration of driving privileges.
- Insurance providers may charge extra for SR-22 or not offer it.
Defending Against Leaving the Scene of an Accident Charges in St. Louis
At Combs Waterkotte, we focus on several key aspects to build a robust defense:
- Analyzing the Circumstances: We start by thoroughly examining the details of the incident, including the reasons for leaving the scene and any mitigating factors.
- Challenging Evidence: Our team scrutinizes the evidence presented, looking for inconsistencies, procedural errors or violations of your rights that could be pivotal in your defense.
- Negotiating with Prosecutors: Leveraging our experience and legal knowledge, we negotiate with prosecutors, aiming to reduce charges or penalties whenever possible.
Contact a Top St. Louis, MO Hit and Run Lawyer
Combs Waterkotte is a highly-rated St. Louis, MO criminal defense law firm that places communication and honesty at the center of all that we do. We take the time to listen to you and your situation and prepare a strong, unique defense strategy for your situation. We also work on the administrative side of our St. Louis, MO leaving the scene of an accident cases to ensure that our clients can stay on the road in order to go to work and live their lives. Contact us online or call us at (314) 900-HELP for a free, confidential conversation about your St. Louis leaving the scene of an accident case and find out why Combs Waterkotte is proudly one of Missouri’s highest-rated criminal defense law firms.
Impeccable Record
of Success
Impeccable Record of Success
- Over 10,000 Cases Handled
- Over 300 Five-Star Reviews
- Multiple Major Media Appearances
- Over Four Decades of Experience
Guiding you through the entire process, from start to finish.
We know most people who come to us haven't had to deal with the justice system in this way before. We understand how overwhelming and confusing the process can be, which is why we ensure clarity and support at every turn. From our initial consultation to the the final resolution of your case we strive to make the process easy for you to understand and leave you without any doubts that your case is being handled the right way.
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Whether you've got questions about what to do when served with an order of protection, the juvenile delinquency process, how to defend a DWI case or anything in between, we have answers. Check out our blog and FAQs for answers to common questions, or contact Combs Waterkotte today to speak directly to an attorney about your case.
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