DUIs are frightening situations to find yourself in. Not only can DUI hit and run incidents lead to serious injury or even loss of life, but they can also leave victims in financial turmoil. Nobody anticipates or expects all of the ramifications that accompany DUI hit and run accidents so it’s easy to feel lost following a traumatic accident.
As with all other legal dealings, time is of the essence. If you have recently been involved in a DUI hit and run, here’s what you need to do.
What to Do if You Are Involved in a DUI Hit and Run
Here are 6 things you should immediately do if you have been involved in a DUI hit and run:
- Call the police.
- Remain calm and stay at the scene of the accident.
- Take photos of the damage to vehicles and the surrounding accident location.
- If you have time, write down the license plates of vehicles involved (involved parties may try to flee the scene even if they initially stop, so getting the vehicle number down on paper is important).
- Following the police report, make an appointment to see your doctor to rule out the possibility of whiplash or other injuries.
- Get a DUI hit and run attorney. No matter what side of the DUI you are on, it’s essential to work with a DUI attorney to get through the legal minefield of hit and run accidents.
Give Leyba Defense a call today to schedule a consultation with a DUI hit and run lawyer.
What are the Punishments for DUI Hit and Run Cases?
DUI hit and run punishments depend on whether or not a driver is convicted, if they’ve had prior DUI charges, if the DUI is classified as a misdemeanor or felony, etc.
If a DUI conviction is given, there are certain mandatory minimum penalties that will be placed on the driver.
Some common mandatory minimum penalties include:
- First driving offense or first offense within a period of seven years: 24 hours jail time or you may opt for 15 days of mandatory electronic home monitoring (EHM), plus a fine of more than $800.
- One driving offense within the past seven years: 30 days jail time in addition to 60 days of EHM, and fines of more than $1,000.
- Between two and three offenses within the space of the past seven years: 90 days in jail and 120 days EHM, and fines of more than $1,900.
In addition to these punishments, drivers convicted of DUI charges face license suspension of up to three years, mandatory substance counseling, and required ignition interlock device installation on their vehicle.
These are the mandatory minimum punishments for DUI convictions in Washington. However, individuals involved in a DUI hit-and-run face even more serious punishments. As the law surrounding hit-and-run and DUI cases is very serious, it’s essential to work with a DUI hit-and-run attorney during the legal process.
Contact a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Today
No matter what side of the DUI hit and run accident you find yourself on, it’s essential that you work with a DUI attorney. DUI lawyers are those with extensive training and experience in the legal field of DUIs and hit and run accidents.
To schedule a consultation with a seasoned DUI hit and run accident attorney, contact Leyba Defense today. Matthew Leyba is a seasoned defense and DUI attorney who has been working with Seattle drivers for more than a decade. Justice is our goal and our firm will work to do our utmost to ensure that our clients are defended and protected during a DUI case.
Contact Leyba Defense today to start building your case with a DUI hit and run lawyer.