Tell of your heart hammering and your hands shaking and every sense prodding you on. Maybe it feels like so much damage. Maybe you’re terrified of a license, a drink, a bill you can’t foot. And you run away. With that decision, you may be changing your life more than the collision. That’s what good Kansas City law firm Speeding Ticket KC sees. Here’s what you’re up against: the law and what you can do.
The Law You’re Up Against
Leaving the Scene falls under Missouri Revised Statutes 577.060. It applies if you are the driver in a crash that results in injury or death or damage to someone else’s property. If you realize you’ve been in a wreck and you don’t give your information and leave the scene, you’ve breached the law.
You must provide your name, address, and car registration number. You must present it to the police or the other person. If there is no officer in the area, you travel to the nearest police station. It’s not the crash that is at fault; it’s skipping that stage.
Felony or Misdemeanor?
That depends on what transpired. Fleeing the scene would usually be a class A misdemeanor. It is the most serious misdemeanor in Missouri. It carries a fine and a year in jail.
There are two circumstances that elevate the charge. It is a class E felony if someone was physically injured or if you have a prior conviction for this charge. If you killed someone in your crash, it becomes a class D felony. At that point, you’re looking at fines and prison time, and it just goes up from there.
How the Police Locate Runaway Drivers
You may believe you ditched all witnesses. Think again. Cameras are everywhere in Kansas City. A range of cameras, from traffic cameras to doorbell cameras to the cameras that save video to the city buses, are logging plates and faces. Witnesses take pictures with their phones, too.
Cars leave hints too. Paint chipping, broken glass, and body damage trace the police to an individual vehicle. Repair businesses and insurance providers might be alerted to suspect damage claims. Hit-and-runs don’t stay unsolved for long! In fact, the odds are against the driver who runs.
Your License Takes a Hit Too
Plus the risk to your court. The Department of Revenue keeps track of convictions and points on your record. Leaving the scene earns you high points in Missouri’s point system. See Section 302.302 for the figures at the time of this writing.
Accumulating enough points could result in your state suspending your license. And now you’ve got a problem, too: Driving under suspension is a crime. One bad night might lead to a tidal wave of charges. Your insurance will recognize your conviction and may raise your premiums or cancel you altogether.
Money Troubles Don’t End in Court
Criminal accusations and civil claims go along different channels, in fact. You are able to resolve a criminal case, but the other driver can still sue you. They can sue for repair, medical expenses, and lost income.
You may not be covered by your insurance. Some insurance would invalidate claims if a driver ran them. And then you are stuck with your own money. You may pay a $1,000 bill for a fender bender. But it would have been a straightforward claim if you had stuck around.
When Another Charge Is Hiding
Some drivers simply refuse to drive at all. Maybe they were driving recklessly without a license or insurance, or they were drunk. But leaving creates all of those issues and then some. Lawyers can charge you with running for things like DWI, no license, fleeing the scene, etc.
A judge might also not look kindly upon fleeing. Sign running is knowledge to you of doing anything wrong by the court. In a difficult circumstance, you’re usually better off being the driver who stayed. Usually better, but not always.
Already Left? Here’s What to Do
First of all, don’t hide the automobile or delete texts. This may result in higher charges. Stay calm and take note of what you recall (i.e., when, where, the people present, and why you exited).
Then talk to a traffic lawyer in Kansas City before you speak with or answer any inquiries from the police. A lawyer may talk about whether it is logical for you to turn yourself in or return. You sometimes need to respond quickly. Attorneys also know how to deal with prosecutors.
Potential Defenses
The Cases Are Not Always Clear-Cut. The law says that you must have been aware of the accident. One justification is that a driver was unaware that they hit something. This occurs for little bumps in loud traffic or at night.
There are other protections as well. The police may not have the right driver. The harm may not be your fault. This can be from an emergency where you called for aid and came back shortly after. A lawyer can sift through the facts and see what works in your favor.
Speeding Ticket KC handles traffic cases in Kansas City. With a brief phone call, you could be on your way to figuring out where you stand on this and what you must do next.
Commonly Asked Questions
Leaving the Scene: Is It a Felony in Missouri?
That depends. Usually a class A misdemeanor. Class D felony if someone is killed and in violation of the statute; if the person is injured, a class E felony or if you have a prior conviction.
What to do following a Missouri crash?
You must stop and provide your identity, address, and car registration to the other driver or the police. Dial 911 for injuries.
What if I didn’t realize that I hit something?
Yes, the law demands that you knew there was an accident. Ignorance can be a defense, but the prosecution will scrutinize the evidence carefully.
Am I losing my license for fleeing the scene?
Maybe. 302.302 assigns points for a conviction, and too many = suspension.
Do I need an attorney if I have left already?
Yes. An attorney can tell you what to do, deal with the prosecutors, and do his best to minimize the impact on your record and your license.
