In stressful situations, people respond in different ways. It doesn’t get more stressful than car accidents. In such a scenario, adrenaline tends to be pumping and the fight or flight reasons kick in.
What if a person’s reaction is to leave the scene of an accident? Can you be penalized for this in Texas?
Unattended vehicles
It’s not uncommon for a car to hit stationary vehicles or property. If nobody is around, what else can a person do other than leave the scene?
The law in Texas states that individuals must stop after an accident, even if there is only minor damage and no one else is in attendance. Leaving the scene of an accident that has resulted in less than $200 of damage is categorized as a Class C misdemeanor. In cases where the damage amounts to a greater sum, the charges will be categorized as a Class B misdemeanor.
Felony charges
Sadly, many accidents involve bodily injuries and even fatalities. Leaving the scene of an accident in these circumstances is a much more serious offense.
By leaving the scene of an accident that has resulted in serious bodily injury, you could face felony charges of the third degree. If the injuries prove to be fatal, then the charges could be upgraded to a second-degree felony. The potential penalties for these charges are lengthy jail terms.
Being accused of a criminal offense does not mean that you are automatically guilty. There are various errors and anomalies that could result in unjustified charges. The first thing you need to do if this has happened is to get some legal guidance.
