Hit and Run Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles
There are hit-and-runs all over LA County. The police have so many cases that they have to deal with. That's one defense, and they're so overwhelmed and overworked as it relates to these hit-and-run cases that it takes them some time to investigate and deal with them. There are two types of hit-run charges, either a misdemeanor or felony offense.
One strategy that the police have in a hit-and-run case is if you leave your vehicle at the scene, they will impound it and put a hold on it so that when you try to get your car, you're unable to get it out unless you go in and give a statement to the police.
Being in a situation where you might incriminate yourself is daunting. This is when you need to involve a lawyer. It's crucial to let the lawyer call the police and handle the situation. This early involvement will reassure you that you're protecting your rights proactively, giving you a sense of control in a potentially overwhelming situation.
You may end up going in to give a statement anyway. Still, you'll do it with your attorney present and knowing the differences and what all the possibilities are related to the case. You can make an informed, educated decision as to:
- Whether you give a statement to the police regarding the hit and run.
- If you do give a statement, exactly what you're going to say, and what type of strategy you're going to take?
Experienced Attorney To Guide You Through The Process
Once the police realize you're the one who did it or believed they did it, the first step in a hit-and-run case is to get an attorney. The attorney's role is not just to represent you but also to guide you through the complex process of dealing with the hit-and-run case, providing you with the support and guidance you need. This experienced attorney will be a source of relief, ensuring you're not navigating this challenging situation alone.
If you do give a statement and if they have evidence that you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, the next step is for the police to send the case to the prosecutors who have jurisdiction over the case where the accident occurred.
The prosecutors will review the case, and if they decide to file a charge against you, you'll typically get a letter in the mail unless they choose just to come and arrest you. Once you get that letter, you'll appear in court with your attorney and deal with your case.
If you become in a hit-and-run accident and there's a severe injury, what I've seen in that scenario is that the police will move and act much quicker. If they can figure out where you live through your license plate through eyewitness testimony, they will come looking for you, especially if somebody got hurt.
The police consider that a high-priority hit and run. It will likely be charged as a felony hit-and-run. If a death occurs, it's even much more serious, and they're going to use much more precaution in trying to find you, and they're going to be much more vicious as it relates to trying to find you — going to your work, your home, your family's house.
If you or a loved one was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles County, could you pick up the phone as soon as possible? Set up an appointment. I've been doing this for twenty-five years. We'll figure out the best strategy moving forward for you, giving you the confidence that you're in experienced hands.
One of the biggest things in a hit-and-run case is figuring out from the beginning how you're going to handle the case—whether you're going to cooperate with the police or not, whether you're going to do any investigation on the case or whether or not it makes sense to do an investigation.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
But when figuring out what to do and how to steer the case, you'll want a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to help you make that decision so you don't make any mistakes.
Another issue in a hit-and-run case is dealing with your insurance company. If you damage your car or somebody else's car, you want your insurance company to pay for it.
Still, if you don't cooperate with them and give them a statement, they won't pay for anybody's damages. This could lead to financial liabilities and legal consequences, including potential lawsuits from the other party involved in the accident. So, that's something else you want to discuss with your attorney. Get a strategy together and determine exactly how you will deal with it to avoid any additional legal and financial burdens. This underlines the urgency of the situation and the need for a strategic approach.
So, when it comes to these hit-and-run cases in Los Angeles, there are a lot of what I call moving parts. These include dealing with the police, understanding the charges, managing insurance claims, and protecting your rights, which means that there's a lot of stuff going on that you have to figure out how to deal with the right way and not make any mistakes that put you in a worse position than you already are.
As your attorney, I want to help you avoid going to jail, avoid saying anything that incriminates you, and protect your rights, freedom, and reputation.
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