Baltimore, MD Hit and Run Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

If you are involved in an accident and you leave the scene, you should consult a Maryland hit and run lawyer as soon as possible. Failure to follow the Maryland accident and accident reporting laws can result in serious consequences, including jail time. If you believe you may be charged with hit and run or have been charged, call attorney Randolph Rice at (410) 431-0911 for immediate legal help.

What Information Do I Have to Provide at the Scene of an Accident in Baltimore?

All motorists that are involved in an accident in Maryland are required to provide the following:

  • Name
  • Address
  • License number
  • Name and address of the vehicle’s owner
  • Insurance company and policy number

Failure to provide this information could result in you being charged with hit and run. Maryland hit and run lawyer Randolph Rice can help if you failed to remain at the scene of an accident.

Do I Have to Call the Police after an Accident in Baltimore?

After an accident you must call the police when:

  • Someone has been injured in the accident
  • A vehicle cannot be safely moved after the accident
  • Driver appears to be intoxicated
  • The other driver does not have a driver’s license
  • One of the drivers tries to leave the scene of the accident without providing proper information
  • Public property has been damaged in the accident

If you have been involved in an accident and you did not remain on the scene, you should consult a Maryland traffic ticket lawyer for immediate advice.

Fleeing an Accident

If you have been involved in an accident and someone is injured, you should call 911 immediately. Don’t move the vehicles from their original position after the accident. Hit and run laws are strict in Maryland. Don’t take the chance going to jail time by leaving the scene of an accident. The Maryland hit and run lawyer Randolph Rice can best advise you if you think you may have left the scene of an accident without providing the proper information.

Am I Liable for an Accident if There Are No Injuries?

If there are no injuries after an accident, and a vehicle cannot be move, take these steps.

  • Call 911 immediately to report the accident
  • Use you hazard lights, flares or a flashlight to warn other drivers
  • Raise the hood of your vehicle
  • Be patient for first responders to arrive
  • Don’t attempt to cross lanes of traffic or try to direct oncoming traffic.

If you failed to remain at the scene, talk to a Maryland hit and run lawyer as soon as possible. You may not be required to give a statement to the police if you fled the scene. A statement made to the police can be used against you if you are charged.

Maryland Hit and Run Laws

Below are the Maryland hit and run laws. These laws along with the penalties are used when the State prosecutes a defendant charged with hit and run in Maryland.

Maryland Transportation Article §20–102 – Driver to Remain at Scene – Accidents results in bodily injury or death

“(a)(1) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to another person immediately shall stop the vehicle as close as possible to the scene of the accident, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
(2)   The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to another person immediately shall return to and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has complied with § 20-104 of this title.
(b)    (1)   The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in the death of another person immediately shall stop the vehicle as close as possible to the scene of the accident, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
(2)   The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in the death of another person immediately shall return to and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has complied with § 20-104 of this title.”

§20–103 – Driver to remain at Scene – Accidents resulting only in damage to attended vehicle or property

“(a) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results only in damage to an attended vehicle or other attended property immediately shall stop the vehicle as close as possible to the scene of the accident, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
(b)   The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results only in damage to an attended vehicle or other attended property shall return to and remain at the scene of the accident until he has complied with § 20-104 of this title.”

Maryland Transportation Article §20–104 Duty to Give Information and Render Aid

“(a) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of any person or in damage to an attended vehicle or other attended property shall render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident and, if the person requests medical treatment or it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary, arrange for the transportation of the person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical treatment.

Information Required

(b) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of any person or in damage to an attended vehicle or other attended property shall give his name, his address, and the registration number of the vehicle he is driving and, on request, exhibit his license to drive, if it is available, to:
(1) Any person injured in the accident; and
(2) The driver, an occupant of, or person attending any vehicle or other property damaged in the accident.
(c) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of any person or in damage to an attended vehicle or other attended property shall give the same information described in subsection (b) of this section and, on request, exhibit his license to drive, if it is available, to any police officer who is at the scene of or otherwise is investigating the accident.
(d) If a police officer is not present and none of the specified persons is in condition to receive the information to which the person otherwise would be entitled under this section, the driver, after fulfilling to the extent possible every other requirement of § 20-102 of this title and subsection (a) of this section, immediately shall report the accident to the nearest office of an authorized police authority and give the information specified in subsection (b) of this section.”

Maryland Transportation Article §20–105 – Duty on Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property

“(a) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in damage to an unattended vehicle or other unattended property immediately shall stop the vehicle as close as possible to the scene of the accident, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
(b)   Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, the driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in damage to an unattended vehicle or other unattended property shall attempt to locate the driver, owner, or person in charge of the damaged vehicle or other property and notify him of:
(1) His name and address;
(2) The registration number of the vehicle he is driving; and
(3) The name and address of the owner of that vehicle.
(c) If the driver, owner, or person in charge of the damaged vehicle or other property cannot be located, leave in a conspicuous, secure place in or on the damaged vehicle or other property a written notice giving the same information.”

What are the Penalties for Hit and Run in Baltimore?

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Bodily Injury

If you are convicted of hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury you are facing a misdemeanor in Maryland. The penalty for leaving the scene of a fine of not more than $3,000.00 or a jail sentence of up to 1 year.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death

If you are involved in an accident and another person is killed, the penalty can be severe. If convicted, you could face up to 5 years in jail and a fine of $5,000.00. Hit and run death cases are complicated and a Maryland hit and run lawyer can guide you through the process, protecting your freedom. Fleeing the scene of an accident that results in death can only add additional charges. If someone if hurt, make sure you stay on the scene to provide the required information.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Property Damage to an Attended Vehicle

Even if you think no one is injured, there are still penalties for hit and run involving an attended vehicle. This means an accident where you hit another car that has someone inside of it. The penalty, if convicted, is 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.00

Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Fail to Give Information

As discussed before, if you are involved in an accident, you are required to provide information. If you flee an accident and not give that information you are facing a misdemeanor conviction. If convicted, you are facing jail of 60 days and a fine of up to $500.00. Leaving the scene without providing informaton may turn an otherwise payable ticket into a must appear trial date.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Unattended Vehicle of Property

You can be charged with a misdemeanor if you hit another car or property and flee the scene.  If you are convicted, you are facing up to 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine. You should consult an experienced Maryland hit and run lawyer to discuss what you should do next.

Probation Before Judgment and Hit and Run

You may be eligible for a probation before judgment if you are charged with hit and run. Probation before judgment prevents points from being assessed to your driving record in Maryland. If you are convicted of section 20-105 and you don’t receive a probation before judgment, 8 points will be assessed to your driving record. Upon conviction of section 20-102, 12 points will be assessed to your driving record. If you are convicted of section 20-103, then 8 points will be assessed to your driving record. Too many points may result in a license suspension or revocation.

Maryland hit and run case law

Comstock v. State – 82 Md. App. 744. “We agree that knowledge of both the underlying accident and injury is logically and legally necessary for one to be guilty of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident under § 20-102. In general, whether scienter is a necessary element of a statutory crime is a question of legislative intent to be answered by a construction of the statute.” “We concur with the view of these courts that, before a defendant can be convicted under a “hit and run” statute, the State must first show knowledge by the accused of the “hit,” and that the “run” or leaving was also knowing.”

About Baltimore, MD Hit and Run Lawyer Randolph Rice

Maryland hit and run lawyer Randolph Rice defends individuals charged with hit and run. He has been doing it since 2009 and he can help you. Mr. Rice is a former prosecutor and named by his peers as a Maryland Super Lawyer – Rising Star for multiple years.

He understands that people panic at the scene of an accident. And that they never intend to flee the scene. Sometimes individuals are worried about the consequences of the accident and how it may affect their insurance rates. Mr. Rice can help walk you through the process and provide the best legal defense in your case. Call his office today at (410) 431-0911 to speak with Attorney Randolph Rice.

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