Hit & Run in Tacoma

Hit-and-run charges in Tacoma, Washington, are serious and can easily result in criminal penalties, license suspension, and long-term consequences for your driving and criminal record. Whether the hit and run involves property damage or injury, leaving the scene of an accident without following Washington State law puts you at serious risk of harsh consequences.

If you have been accused of a hit and run in Tacoma or anywhere else within Pierce County, it’s important to understand the legal process involved in cases like these, possible defenses you may have against these charges, and how hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights and your future.

Under RCW 46.52.020, a driver involved in an accident must stop at the scene and provide specific information to the other party or law enforcement officials. If you fail to do so, it can result in hit-and-run charges.

There are two primary types of hit-and-run offenses:

If someone is in the vehicle or injured during the accident, the driver must:

• Immediately stop at the scene
• Provide their name, address, insurance information, and vehicle registration
• Offer reasonable assistance to any injured party
• Notify law enforcement if necessary

Failure to follow these steps can result in a felony or gross misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.

If you hit a parked car or damage property like a mailbox or a fence, you must:

• Stop and try to locate the owner
• Leave a written note with your contact and insurance information
• Report the incident to law enforcement if required

Violating these requirements can result in a misdemeanor charge.

The penalties for hit-and-run incidents in Tacoma and elsewhere in Pierce County depend on the severity of the circumstance:

• Hit and Run Involving Injury: This is a Class C felony and can result in up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Hit and Run Involving Death: This is a Class B felony and is punishable with up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
• Hit and Run With Attended Vehicle/Property: This is considered a gross misdemeanor, resulting in up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
• Hit and Run With Unattended Vehicle/Property (RCW 46.52.010): This is considered a misdemeanor offense, which can land you up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A hit-and-run conviction can also result in the following:

• License suspension or revocation by the Washington Department of Licensing
• Increased insurance premiums or denied coverage
• A permanent criminal record affecting employment and housing

If you’re accused of a hit and run in Tacoma, here’s how the legal process will typically play out for this charge:

• Investigation: First, there will be an investigation. Law enforcement will look at what happened and use witness statements, security camera footage, and damage reports. You may also be contacted by police for questioning.
• Arrest or Charges Filed: Next, you could be arrested on the scene or notified later that charges are being filed. Do not speak to investigators without your lawyer present.
• Arraignment: You will now be formally charged for the hit and run and will be asked to enter your plea in Pierce County District or Superior Court, depending on how severe your case is.
• Pre-Trial Motions and Negotiations: Your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence or negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced charges.
• Trial or Plea Deal: If no resolution can be reached, your case may have to go to trial. Otherwise, you may be able to accept a plea deal for a lesser charge.
• Sentencing: If you are convicted, the judge will impose penalties based on the statute and case specifics.

Tacoma police and Pierce County authorities take hit-and-run reports very seriously, especially those involving injuries or significant property damage. If you are under investigation or have been contacted by the police, you must know how a typical hit-and-run investigation will unfold.

Some of the more common steps involved in a hit-and-run investigation include:

• Review of Surveillance Footage: Traffic cameras, nearby business cameras, and even residential doorbell cameras can provide police with key visual evidence of the incident.
• Witness Interviews: Police usually gather statements from people near the scene. These accounts can be inconsistent or inaccurate, which is another reason you want to have a skilled criminal defense attorney in Tacoma on your side.
• Vehicle Damage Matching: Investigators might compare the damage to your vehicle to the debris that was found at the scene of the accident.
• License Plate or VIN Tracking: If a witness caught a partial plate, Tacoma police can use DMV records to trace the vehicle.
• Phone and GPS Data: In more serious hit-and-run cases in Tacoma, law enforcement can request cell phone location data or GPS history to place a suspect near the accident scene.

If you are contacted by the investigators at any point, don’t speak with them until your Tacoma attorney is present. Anything you say can be used against you, even if you only try to explain what happened.

Even if you aren’t convicted of a hit and run, you can still face civil consequences in the form of a lawsuit or restitution claim. Victims of hit-and-run accidents often pursue compensation for:

• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Washington is considered an at-fault state. This means that the party responsible for the accident is liable for the damages. If you’re convicted of a hit and run, your insurance company might deny coverage under certain policies, or they will pay the victim, but then pursue reimbursement from you.

Sometimes, a defense attorney can help you negotiate a civil settlement as part of a plea deal or a pre-trial diversion program. This is especially true for first-time offenders. These options can help you avoid a criminal conviction and demonstrate good faith to the court.

If you’re facing a hit-and-run charge in Tacoma, time isn’t your friend. Early legal representation can make or break the outcome of your case. Don’t wait for your charges to escalate or for your court date to approach; contact a Tacoma criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to begin building your defense.

Your attorney will explain your rights, guide you through Washington’s complex legal system, and fight to minimize the charges' impact on your life, career, and even your freedom.

Your skilled Tacoma attorney can assess your case, review your legal options, and advocate on your behalf in and outside of the courtroom. If you’ve been accused of leaving the scene of an accident, don’t try to handle the legalities of the situation alone. An attorney’s guidance can mean the difference between a conviction and a second chance.

In Tacoma, if you fail to stop and exchange personal information after a car crash you can be charged with a hit and run crime. If convicted of hit and run, you will incur serious punishments that could have a devastating impact on your life.

In Washington, the severity of a hit and run crime is gauged by reviewing the details of the accident and the actions of the accused. If you crashed into an unattended parked vehicle and then fled the scene, you will likely be charged with a misdemeanor. If you flee the scene of an accident where injuries were involved, you could be charged with a Class C felony, and may face up to five years of prison time and fines totaling $10,000. If another driver or passenger was killed in an accident from which you fled, the fines and prison time could double.

Don't take any chances with this serious crime. Contact our Tacoma hit and run lawyers and address the situation head on. At the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe, we understand that there are many different circumstances that could motivate a Tacoma driver to contact a hit and run lawyer.

You may have already been charged with a serious crime in the past, or you may be willing to admit your role in the incident but are hoping that some of the penalties you face can be reduced. Whatever your circumstances, we will work diligently to resolve your case. Contact one of our qualified attorneys as quickly as you can, so that we can get started on your defense.

Hit and run crimes happen are far more common than many people realize, and they happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes Tacoma motorists have no intention of breaking the law, but leave the scene of an accident without taking the necessary legal steps. After discovering their error, they want to go to the authorities immediately and explain the situation, which is a morally responsible response. If you are in a similar situation, we recommend retaining legal counsel before approaching the authorities, ensuring that your legal rights will be safeguarded.

Sometimes a driver may panic after an accident and leave the scene because of its emotionally charged nature. When their head eventually clears, they realize they acted improperly and want to make the situation right. It is important to speak with one of our Tacoma hit and run attorneys before reaching out to the authorities, otherwise something you say could be used as evidence to prosecute you.

Automobile crashes are traumatic experiences filled with chaos and confusion, making it hard for an eyewitnesses to accurately identify the person who committed the crime. This could lead to a false accusation against someone who is entirely innocent.

Don't let any of these tragic situations derail your life. Contact our team of our Tacoma hit and run lawyers for a private consultation, and get help from a team of experienced attorneys who will protect your legal rights at all times.