What penalties are imposed for hit-and-run?
September 10, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Uwe Riedmüller
Dear Sir/Madam Lawyer,
I am reaching out to you as I have found myself in an unfortunate situation and urgently require legal advice. My name is Maria Schenkenberg and I was recently involved in a traffic accident. Unfortunately, in a state of panic, I committed a hit-and-run and did not stay at the scene of the accident to leave my personal information.
I am aware that hit-and-run is a criminal offense, however, I was so overwhelmed and fearful at that time that I acted impulsively. Now, I am very worried about possible consequences and penalties that I may face.
Could you please explain to me in more detail what penalties I could face if I am reported for hit-and-run? I would like to know what legal steps could be taken against me and if there are possible solutions to resolve or mitigate the situation.
Thank you in advance for your support and guidance.
Kind regards,
Maria Schenkenberg
Dear Mrs. Schenkenberg,
Thank you for your inquiry and the trust you have placed in me. I understand that you are in a difficult situation and urgently need legal advice. In the case of a hit-and-run, the legal consequences are usually serious and can vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
Hit-and-run, also known as leaving the scene of an accident, is punishable under § 142 of the German Criminal Code. If you, as the driver of a vehicle, are involved in an accident and leave the scene unlawfully, you are committing a crime. The penalties for hit-and-run are usually fines or imprisonment of up to three years. In particularly serious cases, such as when people are injured or killed, the penalties can be even more severe.
It is important to emphasize that leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, regardless of the circumstances that led to it. However, there are also ways to resolve or mitigate the situation. It is advisable to promptly contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend your rights and develop the best possible defense strategy.
An experienced attorney can help you analyze your situation, develop possible defense strategies, and communicate with the authorities. It is important that you are cooperative and work with the investigative authorities to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions.
In many cases, early cooperation with the authorities and a sincere apology to the injured parties can help mitigate the penalties. However, it is important to emphasize that the legal consequences of hit-and-run should not be underestimated and professional legal advice is essential.
I strongly recommend that you contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your situation and develop an appropriate defense strategy. The sooner you act, the better you can defend your rights and mitigate potential consequences.
I am available to answer your questions and support you in this difficult situation.
Sincerely,
Uwe Riedmüller
Attorney at Law
