Dohman Law Group Logo

Hit and Run Offenses in Illinois

Updated on February 27, 2024 → Under

Leaving an accident scene is a serious crime in Illinois. The law requires drivers to stay at the scene and exchange information or report the motor vehicle accident incident to police officers. Failing to do so and leaving an unattended vehicle can result in criminal charges.

For more information on hit and run offenses, contact Dohman Law Group's Wheaton traffic defense attorneys. Call us at (847) 359-4005 to learn how we can help with your case.

What Constitutes a Hit & Run Offense in Illinois?

In Illinois, a hit-and-run offense is leaving the scene of an accident without providing information or aid to anyone with bodily injuries. This applies to all types of accidents and the driver must stay and provide their information if there are injuries or death.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor Hit & Run Charges

Hit-and-run offenses in Illinois can be charged as either a Class A misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the incident. Property damage hit-and-runs are usually classified as a misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a one-year jail sentence and a fine of up to $2,500.

Hit-and-runs resulting in serious injury or death can be charged as a felony, with criminal penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

The Consequences of Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Illinois

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime in Illinois. If you're involved in an accident resulting in injury or property damage, you must stay at the scene and wait for the police. Failure to comply can lead to criminal charges.

Hit-and-run offenses can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties including jail time, fines, probation, and loss of driving privileges.

Additionally, the victim can file a civil lawsuit for damages. It's important to stay at the scene and provide the necessary information for the police report to avoid criminal charges and civil penalties.

Potential Jail Time Upon Conviction

The jail time for a leaving-the-scene/hit-and-run offense in Illinois varies based on the seriousness of the incident. Misdemeanor offenses can lead to one year of jail time, while felony offenses may result in multiple years or life imprisonment.

Misdemeanor convictions can result in probation, fines, and community service. Felony convictions can lead to prison time or supervised release. The court may also impose other conditions like restitution and loss of driving privileges.

Potential License Suspension or Revocation Upon Conviction

Leaving the scene of an accident in Illinois is a serious crime. A hit-and-run conviction can result in fines, jail time, and license suspension. The court determines the length of the license suspension. In addition to these penalties, individuals may be required to attend alcohol or drug treatment programs and driver safety classes.

Possibility of Additional Civil Liability

In Illinois, hit-and-run offenses can lead to additional civil liability. This means you may have to pay monetary damages for any harm you caused to accident victims. If you leave the scene of an accident, you might be responsible for more than if you had stayed.

a car with damage to the back side of it parked on a road

This could include medical bills and property damage. It's crucial to talk to a lawyer if you're charged with hit and run in Illinois. They can explain your legal obligations and any potential civil liability you may have.

Fighting Against Hit & Run Allegations

If you've been charged with a hit-and-run offense in Illinois, you can fight against the allegations. Penalties for hit-and-run can be severe, but you can contest the charges and reduce or eliminate punishments.

The first step is to understand the incident's specific circumstances. A personal injury attorney can help you review the facts, develop an effective defense strategy, and explain trial consequences. A criminal defense attorney may also negotiate for a lighter sentence or have the charges dropped.

Necessary Elements Needed For Prosecutors to Prove Guilt Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

It is the job of the prosecutor to prove that a defendant is guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In cases of leaving the scene/hit-and-run offenses in Illinois, prosecutors must have several elements to do so.

First, they must establish that an accident occurred. This means that there was some collision or contact between two or more vehicles or objects, resulting in property damage or personal injury.

Second, prosecutors must show that the defendant was driving the vehicle involved in the accident and had knowledge of the collision. This means that they knew, or should have known, that an accident occurred and failed to take reasonable steps to identify themselves and offer aid to any injured parties.

Learn More: How Long Traffic Conviction Stay on Your Record

Third, prosecutors must demonstrate that the defendant left the scene without providing their identifying information or reporting the accident to law enforcement.

Finally, prosecutors must show that the defendant’s failure to remain at the scene of the accident was intentional and not due to an emergency or other extenuating circumstances.

These elements must be established by prosecutors for a conviction of leaving the scene/hit-and-run offenses in Illinois to occur.

Defenses Available For Those Charged With Leaving The Scene Of An Accident

If you're charged with leaving the scene of an accident in Illinois, it's important to know the defenses available to you. These defenses can help reduce or dismiss your charges. The most common defense is not knowing about the accident, which is necessary for prosecutors to prove guilt.

Other defenses include emergencies or extenuating circumstances that prevented stopping at the scene, and arguing there was no intent to leave without providing information or reporting the accident.

Contact Our Illinois Hit-And-Run Defense Lawyer For a Free Consultation

If you're facing charges for leaving the scene or a hit and run in Illinois, it's crucial to get legal defense help from a skilled defense attorney. The lawyers at Dohman Law Group are focused on providing clients with aggressive defense strategies to achieve the best outcome.

We know the legal system can be intimidating, so we're here to offer knowledgeable and experienced representation. Our goal is to protect your rights and ensure justice is served. Call us today for a free initial consultation.

Home
Free
Case
Review
Text Us
homebubblecrossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram