Morgantown Hit & Run DUI Lawyer

Morgantown Hit & Run DUI Attorney

Being involved in an accident is stressful enough without adding more layers, like being charged with a DUI and a hit and run. Both carry harsh penalties that require care and precision because they could impact the rest of your life. A Morgantown hit and run DUI lawyer on your side can help you feel more at ease as they guide you through the legal process.

How We Can Help

With years of experience representing cases just like yours, we can utilize our keen understanding of hit & run DUI laws, along with our passion for justice, to help you face these charges.

At Crowe Law, LLC, we are committed to each of our clients, and we value personalized service, along with empathetic and efficient use of time. Serving the people of Morgantown is very important to us. We understand that facing criminal charges can be overwhelming, and we like to approach each case with empathy and a desire to build a solid defense on your behalf.

Patrick Crowe is a defense attorney living in West Virginia who is dedicated to defending your rights. His skill and experience can help you overcome this difficult time.

West Virginia Hit & Run DUI Laws

If a DUI accident turns into a hit-and-run, the consequences can be severe because the charges multiply. A DUI charge alone can be significant, especially if it is a repeated offense, but adding a hit-and-run can dramatically increase the potential penalties.

According to the AAA Foundation, there have been 2,049 hit-and-run fatalities in one year, and the number seems to be growing. To add to that, the number of drunk driving fatalities was 12,429 in 2023. Both numbers are far too many, and in order to combat this, West Virginia has harsh hit-and-run DUI penalties for both those who abandon the scene of a car accident and those who drive under the influence.

Both a DUI and a hit-and-run are against the law. In West Virginia, if you are involved in a crash, you are required to stop immediately to provide information and render aid if necessary.

Driving under the influence in West Virginia, whatever the substance might be, is against the law. The blood alcohol concentration must be beneath 0.08% for those over 21 and beneath 0.02% for those under 21.

Possible Hit & Run DUI Defenses

A skilled hit and run DUI lawyer understands West Virginia law in-depth and can investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. They are skilled at interviewing witnesses, tracking down video evidence, analyzing police reports, and more.

After investigating, they can work hard to build a strategy to defend you against these charges. Possible defenses include:

• You weren’t the one driving the car that caused the accident.
• You didn’t know that you caused an accident.
• You weren’t under the influence.
• Your constitutional rights were violated.

These are just a few possible defenses. A lawyer experienced with hit-and-run DUI cases understands how to build a defense tailored to your unique case.

Hire a Hit & Run DUI Lawyer

If you are facing hit-and-run DUI charges, you don’t have to do it alone. We highly recommend that you hire a hit & run DUI lawyer. Beyond understanding the penalties and the potential life-altering consequences, a hit-and-run DUI attorney can:

• Provide sound legal counsel
• Help you understand the charges leveled against you and the potential penalties
• Guide you through every step of the legal process
• Investigate the incident
• Prepare a solid defense strategy
• Negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf
• Represent you in the courtroom, either at the Monongalia County Courthouse on High Street in Morgantown or elsewhere
• Appeal court rulings

Having a hit & run DUI lawyer on your side can dramatically increase your chances of a better outcome. We understand how overwhelming this time can be for you and can help provide support and guidance.

FAQs

Should You Get a Lawyer for Hit and Run?

Having a Morgantown hit and run DUI lawyer on your side as soon as possible can make a difference in your case. A hit and run is a criminal offense, and adding DUI charges on top of that can increase the charges. A hit and run lawyer can investigate the incident, provide reliable legal counsel, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in court. The sooner you hire one, the more quickly they’ll be able to help.

Which Is Worse, a DUI or a Hit and Run?

Both a DUI and a hit and run can result in life-altering legal consequences, but the circumstances of the incident determine which is worse. If the DUI is a repeated offense, then it might have harsher consequences. A hit and run could result in a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail. An injury from a hit-and-run accident can make the consequences worse. Unique circumstances behind each will determine which is worse.

What Is a Possible Defense for a DUI Hit and Run?

There are multiple defenses for a DUI hit and run, depending on your specific case. One could be that you weren’t driving the car that caused the accident. Another might be not knowing that you caused an accident or proving that you weren’t drunk. If the police violated your constitutional rights, you might have a defense as well. All of these defenses require solid evidence; your DUI hit and run lawyer can help you determine if these apply to you.

What Do I Do If I Get in an Accident?

If you get into an accident, it’s not only vital to provide aid and inform the authorities, but you are required to by law. Do not drive away, even if you are under the influence, because that could multiply your charges, which could increase the time you might spend in jail. Call 911 and check on everyone involved in the accident. Exchange information and look for ways to help. Don’t admit fault and seek medical attention if needed.

Contact Crowe Law, LLC

Our law firm understands how scary it can be to face DUI hit-and-run charges. We believe in providing compassionate and professional legal advice to help guide you through this process as painlessly as possible. We can use our years of experience and in-depth understanding of DUI and hit-and-run laws in West Virginia to build a solid defense for you.

To find out how we can help you, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.