Law Office of Michael L. Fell
900 Roosevelt Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 585-9055

3 Ways Leaving the Scene of a DUI Can Make the Consequences Much Worse

It is understandable that a person may panic when involved in a car accident. If they have had a bit to drink before the accident, they could be even more tempted to hit and run. The truth of course is that a hit and run DUI just results in more serious consequences. Read on to learn about them and then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 if you are in need of a free legal consultation.

  1. You Could Cause Additional Accidents

    2. If the fact that you were under the influence of alcohol caused you to get into an accident, consider that you are even more likely to get into an accident when you pair the adrenaline and fear of the first accident. Do not drive after you have been in an accident. If you are involved in a minor fender bender and leave the scene to avoid a DUI conviction, only to then hit another car and kill someone, you can easily see that it was not worth leaving the scene.

  2. You Could Face Additional Charges

    3. The thought process of many people who are involved in a DUI and leave the scene is that they are already guilty of a DUI – it can’t get much worse. This is false. DUI charges and hit and run charges are separate charges. This means that if you are convicted of both, you will serve time not concurrently – i.e. at the same time – but consecutively. To put it simply, your sentence for the hit and run will not begin until you have already served all your time for the DUI.

  3. You Are Likely to Get a More Serious Sentence When Being Charged with Both DUI and Hit and Run

    4. When you are convicted of a single crime, it may be easier to convince the judge to offer a lesser sentence if you are facing just a single charge. On the other hand, when they see you not only drove while drunk and got into an accident, but you left the scene, then they may be more inclined to insist on the maximum possible sentence. The bottom line is this: If you are in an accident – whether drunk or stone-cold sober – it is never a good idea to flee the scene.

We Can Help Defend You Against the Charges You Are Facing

Even though everything above is true, that does not mean that you are out of options if you have already been involved in a hit and run while drinking. We will assess the evidence, talk to witnesses, and find the best option to get you the best possible outcome. Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 now if you would like to request a free legal consultation with a criminal defense attorney.