QUESTION: Is leaving the scene of a car accident a crime?
ANSWER: Yes.
The general rule is that if you are involved in a car accident involving property damage or physical injury you must stay at the accident scene until police arrive and exchange information. Failure to do so will result in felony or misdemeanor charges.
Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Jake Gunter can help with your leaving the scene charges. Call/TXT(801) 373-6345. Free consult. Flexible pricing and payment plans.
IS A HIT & RUN A FELONY IN UTAH?
Felony hit & run occurs when you cause serious physical injury and you leave the scene. Yes, hit & run can be a felony.
PENALTIES AND SENTENCES FOR HIT & RUN CRIMINAL CHARGES IN UTAH.
Causing serious physical injury or death can be a 3rd degree felony, punishable by 0-5 years in the Utah State prison or up to one year in the county jail. There can be a fine and Adult Probation & Parole supervision for up to three years.
Leaving the scene from property damage is a Class B misdemeanor or infraction. Class B misdemeanors carry up to six months in the county jail. Prison time is not possible.
Here are some types of leaving the scene of an accident criminal charges in Utah:
UTAH CODE 41–6A–401. ACCIDENT INVOLVING PROPERTY DAMAGE — DUTIES OF DRIVER, OCCUPANTS AND OWNER—EXCHANGE OF INSURANCE/DRIVER’S LICENSE INFORMATION — CALLING POLICE MANDATORY — PENALTIES.
If you are in a car accident, or you think you have been in a car accident, you have to stop.
You have to exchange your insurance information with the other side and their passengers.
You have to call the police if the apparent property damage is over $2,500.
Failure to exchange information or if you leave the scene, is a Class B Misdemeanor. Up to 6 months jail.
UTAH CODE 41–6A–401.3. ACCIDENT INVOLVING INJURY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY — STOP AT ACCIDENT—PENALTY
If you suspect physical injury you have to stay at the accident scene until police arrive.
Exchange information, insurance, registration and call the police.
Failure to remain at the scene involving a serious bodily injury is a 3rd degree felony. Mandatory $750 fine.
Failure to remain at the scene involving a physical injury is a Class A misdemeanor. Mandatory $750 fine.
UTAH CODE 41–6A–401.5. ACCIDENT INVOLVING DEATH — STOP AT ACCIDENT—PENALTY
Failure to remain at the scene involving death is a 3rd degree felony. Mandatory $750 fine.
UTAH CODE 41–6A–404. ACCIDENT REPORTS — WHEN CONFIDENTIAL—INSURANCE POLICY INFORMATION—USE AS EVIDENCE—PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION
Here are some very useful statutes to read if you are facing a Utah Failure to Remain at the Scene criminal charges.
UTAH CODE § 76-3-204, CONVICTION – TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
Maps out all punishments, jail, prison and fines for Utah misdemeanor convictions.
UTAH CODE § 76-3-203, FELONY CONVICTION—INDETERMINATE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
Maps out all punishments, jail, prison and fines for Utah felony convictions.
UTAH CODE § 76-3-301, FINES OF INDIVIDUALS
List maximum fines.
UTAH TITLE R708-3- DRIVER LICENSE POINT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION
Provide the under 21 years Utah driving points system and over 21 point system. See this article for a closer look at the Utah points system. https://provocriminaldefense.com/utah-traffic-ticket-defense/
