Bonney Lake Hit & Run

Any kind of vehicular accident can leave you feeling pretty shaken up. Chances are good that after an accident you probably aren’t thinking clearly, and maybe you panicked.

But if you left the scene after an accident, you may have committed a crime. And even though you didn’t intend to break the law, you are now facing serious criminal charges.

If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with a hit and run in Bonney Lake, you need an attorney with experience on your side.

Our Pierce County criminal defense lawyers know what a stress this can be because we have defended many hit and run cases in Bonney Lake and the surrounding areas. Our team of legal professionals has over 50 combined years of experience handling hit and run cases in Washington state. We know what you are up against and want to use our experience and aggressiveness in the courtroom to help you fix this problem, as easily and painlessly as possible.

You may have questions about hit and run charges in Washington state, such as-

• Is hit and run a crime in Bonney Lake if no one was injured?
• Will I go to jail for leaving the scene of an accident in Pierce County?
• Do I need an attorney to fight hit and run charges in Bonney Lake?

That’s why we offer a free case evaluation to each prospective client. Whatever happened, whether you made a mistake, or are being unfairly charged, you deserve and need to have someone with experience on your side. Contact our Bonney Lake criminal defense attorneys to discuss the specifics of your case, and answer any questions you may have regarding hit and run laws in Pierce County.

Under Washington state law, there are currently 3 levels of Hit and Run charges applicable in Pierce County-

1. Unattended Hit and Run- The lowest level of hit-and-run charges in Washington State, this charge refers to an unattended vehicle, which means a parked car without a person or persons inside. If you do not attempt to locate the owner to give them the required information, if you fail to leave a note, or if you do not contact the police, you can be charged with an unattended hit and run. For this charge, the damage does not have to be major; even a small scratch is sufficient to trigger this charge.
2. Hit and Run of an Attended Vehicle- The next level of hit and run charges, attended hit and run is charged when you operate a vehicle and strike another car that is occupied by a person or persons. It does not matter if the person occupying the car is uninjured, you will still be charged with Hit & Run of an attended vehicle.
3. Injury or Fatality Hit and Run- Often referred to as Felony Hit and Run, this charge is applied to drivers who operate a vehicle and hit another car that is occupied, resulting in injury or death to the occupant of the other vehicle. State statute RCW 46.52.20 lays out the steps a driver must take if involved in an accident that causes injury or death “A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury to or death of any person or involving striking the body of a deceased person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every event remain at, the scene of such accident” and “shall give his or her name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number and shall exhibit his or her vehicle driver's license to any person struck or injured or the driver or any occupant of, or any person attending, any such vehicle collided with and shall render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying or the making of arrangements for the carrying of such person to a physician or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such carrying is requested by the injured person or on his or her behalf.”

If convicted of a hit and run charge in Bonney Lake, the severity of the punishments will be dependent upon what kind of hit and run accident you were charged with. Additionally, where you will have to appear in court is also dependent upon the location of your accident and the severity of your charges.

Unattended hit & run, the lowest of hit and run charges, is considered a simple misdemeanor criminal offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Hit and run of an attended vehicle is a gross misdemeanor criminal offense a step above a simple misdemeanor in terms of severity. If convicted of a gross misdemeanor, you may face up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Additionally, upon conviction of this charge the Washington state Department of Licensing (DOL) will automatically revoke your driver’s license for a period of 1 year.

Misdemeanor cases are held in courts of limited jurisdiction, so if you have been charged with either Unattended Hit & Run or Hit and Run of an Attended vehicle, you may have to appear in either the Bonney Lake Municipal Court or the Pierce County District Court, which is located in Tacoma.

The most severe hit and run charge is a Hit and Run that causes injury or fatality. Because there is a vast difference between injuries and fatalities, the severity of this charge depends upon the amount of bodily harm caused in the accident.

• A hit and run accident that causes harm to an occupant of the other vehicle is considered a class C felony. In Washington State, class C felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If convicted of this charge, the DOL will automatically revoke your driver’s license for a period of 1 year.
• A hit and run accident that causes a fatality will be charged as a class B felony, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000, as well as an automatic license suspension or revoking.

All felony cases that occur in Bonney Lake are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Pierce County Superior Court, which is also located in Tacoma.

As you can see, leaving the scene of an accident can result in a variety of charges, each reflecting the severity of the accident. Contacting an experienced Bonney Lake criminal defense attorney with knowledge of Washington state law will help you immensely as you move through the criminal process.

Legal cases involving hit and run accidents can be very complicated. When you have an experienced Pierce County defense lawyer representing you, you can make sure the legal issues involving your crash are addressed. Whether it’s verifying the accuracy of your accident report or arguing your case in court, your lawyer will be your voice for justice.

The bottom line is, you need an advocate inside and outside of the courtroom, championing your rights. Hiring a knowledgeable Bonney Lake criminal law attorney can help make sure your case gets the best possible outcome.