Myrtle Beach Hit and Run Lawyer

Every driver involved in a motor vehicle accident has an obligation to stop, report the incident, and take other actions the law requires. Failing to meet this duty can result in criminal charges for a hit and run. This can be a serious criminal allegation with a wide range of possible penalties upon conviction.

If someone recently charged you with failing to stop after a collision, a Myrtle Beach hit and run lawyer from South Carolina Criminal Law can help in your defense by representing you in related criminal proceedings. A defense attorney from our office can help you with a free case evaluation.

Your Legal Duty To Stop After a Motor Vehicle Collision

South Carolina Code § 56-5-1230 requires all drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident to do the following:

• Provide your name, address, and vehicle registration
• Show your driver’s license to a requesting party
• Render reasonable assistance to anyone in apparent need of medical attention
• Give notice of the accident to law enforcement

These obligations apply to all types of motor vehicle accidents, including passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles. If you fail to stop and perform your duties after an accident, criminal charges for leaving the scene apply. In Myrtle Beach, the specific nature of a hit and run charge will depend on the extent of any resulting property damage, injury, or death to others, which a lawyer can help identify.

What Are the Different Charges for Hit and Run Crashes?

South Carolina Code § 56-5-1220 may find a driver guilty of a misdemeanor offense who leaves the scene of a car wreck after having caused damage to other vehicles. The punishment for this crime could be a maximum prison sentence of one year and a fine ranging from $100 to $500.

The criminal charges for leaving the scene are most serious when they involve injury or death to others. When the crash causes another person’s death, a court may find a driver guilty of a felony offense. This crime’s penalties include a prison sentence from one to 25 years, along with a fine of $10,000 to $25,000.

Criminal hit and run charges become more complex when they cause injury to others. The state differentiates hit and run charges that result in personal injury from those that result in great bodily injury. South Carolina Code § 56-5-1210(C) defines great bodily injury as any injury that causes the following: a substantial risk of death, a serious permanent disfigurement, or a protracted loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ.

Hit and runs that involve great bodily injury are also a felony offense in Myrtle Beach, as a lawyer could explain. The penalties are a prison term from 30 days to 10 years and a fine from $5,000 to $10,000. In comparison, hit and run collisions that cause less serious injuries are misdemeanor crimes with a penalty of 30 days to one year in prison and a fine of $100 to $5,000.

How We Can Help You Navigate a Criminal Hit and Run Case

In Myrtle Beach, a hit and run attorney can first help your case by identifying any mitigating circumstances that could establish a reasonable defense against criminal charges. Motor vehicle accidents are stressful, and your intent in leaving the scene may not have been to commit a hit and run. For example, the state’s hit and run laws permit a person to temporarily leave the scene of an accident to report it to local police. Our job is also to advocate for your interests at every stage of the criminal legal process. We can advise on entering a plea, ensure fair practices in the use of evidence and jury selection in your case, and advocate for more favorable sentencing from the court in the event of a guilty verdict.

Call an Attorney for a Hit and Run in Myrtle Beach

The resulting damages, injury, or death from a car accident can cause a wide range of consequences when facing criminal hit and run allegations. You have the right to experienced legal representation from a Myrtle Beach hit and run lawyer who understands the issues of your case. Contact our team at Price Benowitz today to schedule a free case evaluation.