Hit and run accidents in Ohio - Laws and how to handle them.
State hit and run laws can differ from state to state slightly but generally, not by much. The culprit of such happening usually has a reason related the hit and run in a manner as a bad DMV record (didn't meet the state vehicle licensing requirements) or perhaps a bad car situation as it being "Stolen" or "without insurance". Knowing how to deal with such situation, as a hit and run, is critical..
What to do in the event of a hit and run:Find out as much as you can about the perpetrator's vehicle: The vehicle's make, model, color(s), style, defects on the vehicle, license plates, expiration, etc. Such information could help the police find the hit and runner. Please be clear on what you've see. Any false information could lead police down the wrong path and possibly put the wrong person in custody. Laws of hitting and running are strict in Ohio. Because of a prior hit and run situation with a construction worker on Interstate 75, all hit and run cases that involves an injury will be charged as felony. Before the change, you could only be charged with a felony if you made matters (injuries) worse after the initial hit when fleeing. Now if you injure someone initially and run after the accident - whether making the injury worse or not by fleeing the scene - it is a felony and the appropriate penalties will apply. Below are a list of hit and run laws and penalties faced if caught.State hit and run laws in Ohio:You must stop after an accident. Failure to stop - No injury involved - Criminal charge - 1st degree misdemeanor - up to 6 months in prison and up to $500 in fine charges - driver's license suspension, at least 6 months.Injury Involved - Criminal charge - 5th degree Felony - up to 12 months in prison and up to $2500 in fine charges - driver's license suspension, at least 6 months.
Remember: Record information about the perpetrator once they've committed the hit and run. Do not attempt to pursue them, instead pay close attention to their vehicle: the color,vehicle type, make, model and license plate and either write such information down or take a picture of the vehicle.
What to do in the event of a hit and run:Find out as much as you can about the perpetrator's vehicle: The vehicle's make, model, color(s), style, defects on the vehicle, license plates, expiration, etc. Such information could help the police find the hit and runner. Please be clear on what you've see. Any false information could lead police down the wrong path and possibly put the wrong person in custody. Laws of hitting and running are strict in Ohio. Because of a prior hit and run situation with a construction worker on Interstate 75, all hit and run cases that involves an injury will be charged as felony. Before the change, you could only be charged with a felony if you made matters (injuries) worse after the initial hit when fleeing. Now if you injure someone initially and run after the accident - whether making the injury worse or not by fleeing the scene - it is a felony and the appropriate penalties will apply. Below are a list of hit and run laws and penalties faced if caught.State hit and run laws in Ohio:You must stop after an accident. Failure to stop - No injury involved - Criminal charge - 1st degree misdemeanor - up to 6 months in prison and up to $500 in fine charges - driver's license suspension, at least 6 months.Injury Involved - Criminal charge - 5th degree Felony - up to 12 months in prison and up to $2500 in fine charges - driver's license suspension, at least 6 months.
Remember: Record information about the perpetrator once they've committed the hit and run. Do not attempt to pursue them, instead pay close attention to their vehicle: the color,vehicle type, make, model and license plate and either write such information down or take a picture of the vehicle.