Criminal Defense Attorney Tyler Chriscoe explains when you can and can’t leave the scene of a crime.
Crashes Are Scary
Crashes are scary. But North Carolina law is clear. If you are involved in a crash there are three things you have to do.
If you are in a crash, it is a crime to drive away, walk away, or even move the vehicle. Punishments for hit-and-runs can be severe and like most crimes, it depends on the severity of what happened.
When Can I Leave an Accident?
There are some times when you can leave the scene of an accident. Some examples would be,
When Can I Not Leave an Accident?
There are some reasons why you should not leave an accident.
Law enforcement is going to be the one to decide when you can and can not leave.
Can I Leave a Small Fender Bender in a Parking Lot?
If there is no injury and you think the property damage will be less than $1,000, the parties involved in the accident can agree to exchange information without involving law enforcement. But, keep in mind that property damage can easily be more than $1,000.
Contact Us
Hopefully, this message reaches you before you are involved in a car crash and you’ll know what to do. But, if it’s reaching you too late and you’ve already been charged with hit and run, the best thing that you can do is to call an experienced criminal defense attorney. McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan has been helping people charged with crimes for over 30 years. So if you’ve had a hit-and-run, give McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan a call today. If you have been charged with a hit and run contact us to discuss your options.
Criminal Defense and Traffic Attorney Tyler Chriscoe, explains there are a few times when it is not acceptable to leave the scene after an accident. For instance, being scared or anxious about being in a wreck or not knowing what to do. While that can be a reasonable reason to leave, it is not actually validly lawful. Also, saying you had somewhere you needed to be will not go very far in a court of law either.
If you have been charged with leaving the scene of an accident it’s important to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Contact us to discuss your options.
A trusted civil law attorney discusses wrongful death lawsuits and addresses some common concerns people often have.
A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death.
No. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Charges may be taken out as the result of the death, but they won’t result from the civil lawsuit.
The beneficiaries are entitled to lost wages, funeral expenses, accumulated medical bills, some punitive damages, and sometimes emotional distress.
Emotional distress is proven through a combination of testimony by those affected and advocacy by an experienced attorney.
If you’ve lost a loved one through someone else’s negligence and want to file a wrongful death lawsuit, call one of our attorneys today.
According to Criminal Defense and Traffic Attorney Tyler Chriscoe, sometimes it is legal to leave the scene of a crash but only in rare circumstances. For example, if staying would put you or anyone else in harm’s way. It is also alright to leave the scene should you require serious medical attention, not for a cut or bruise. But you can move their vehicle from the scene as long as you remain at the scene of the crash. Moving the vehicle should not cause more damage to the road.
An esteemed Civil Attorney discusses wrongful death and survival actions in North Carolina.
These are civil lawsuits that arise when the death of a loved one is caused by the negligence of someone else.
In a wrongful death suit, it is the decedent’s next of kin determined by statute that brings the lawsuit forward, usually this is a spouse, parent(s), or child(ren). In a survival action, it is the estate that brings the lawsuit.
Wrongful death and survival actions are complex and they arise at an extremely trying time, when people have just lost a loved one. If this has happened to you or someone you know, we’re here to help. Give us a call.
Criminal Defense Attorney Tyler Chriscoe explains why having insurance is important and why you may not actually be covered even when you have an active policy.
In North Carolina, the law makes it a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle without insurance. The state has set a goal to protect its citizens and its roadways from damage caused by auto accidents. As a result, insurance is a requirement to make sure any damages are taken care of.
One size does NOT fit all. Insurance companies have personal auto policies and commercial auto policies. Each policy has a specific rating and covers certain types of activities that are particular to that policy. Many insurance companies will not provide coverage when a person is using their personal vehicle for business or commercial use.
Working for a rideshare app or other app-based delivery services are relatively new and it has been difficult for insurance companies to keep up. Some of these app-based companies will provide coverage for their drivers. For example:
Bottom Line
If you’re using your personal vehicle for business use or if you’re driving for an app based company, it’s important that you do a few things.
Your claim can be denied if your insurance company finds out you were using your personal vehicle for work. And if that happens, several things might happen as well.
Insurance is a subject that most people don’t like to discuss but Criminal Defense Attorney Tyler Chriscoe explains its importance. Insurance can be expensive and most of the time you don’t actually see the benefit of having it.
It’s the Law
North Carolina law makes it a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle without insurance. The state has set a goal of protecting its citizens and the people using its roads from damages caused by accidents. Most people can’t pay out of pocket for damages they cause. Insurance is required to make sure that any damages caused by accidents are able to be covered.
[00:00:00] If you’ve been injured in an accident in North Carolina, it’s crucial to understand a legal doctrine known as “contributory negligence.” Our state is one of the few that still adheres to this outdated and strict rule, which can significantly impact your ability to receive compensation.
[00:00:06] Contributory negligence means that if you are found to be even slightly at fault for the accident—even as little as one percent—the insurance company can legally deny your personal injury claim entirely.
[00:00:29] The video provides a stark example to illustrate this point: imagine you are legally crossing a street in a crosswalk and are hit by a drunk driver who runs a red light. If you were looking down at your phone at the moment of the accident, an insurance company could argue that your distraction makes you 1% at fault, giving them grounds to pay you nothing.
[00:00:12] Because of this harsh rule, the actions you take immediately following a crash are vital for protecting your rights.
[00:00:57] The most effective way to protect your claim from being denied due to contributory negligence is to have an experienced attorney handle all communications with the insurance company right from the start. [00:01:04] An attorney understands how to navigate this complex legal landscape and will advocate on your behalf to ensure you are treated fairly.
A Personal Injury Attorney discusses the kinds of damages car accident victims can expect to receive in North Carolina. These are:
Special damages include things like medical bills or lost wages. General damages include pain and suffering which insurance companies may not want to pay. While Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for some outrageous behavior, like drunk driving. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, be sure you’re getting all the damages you deserve. Call one of our Personal Injury Attorneys today!
Insurance companies are often viewed as prioritizing their own financial interests rather than the well-being of their policyholders. While they may not be inherently evil, their primary objective is to safeguard their bottom line. There are 3 top mistakes that can be made to decrease the amount of money you receive.
To avoid making these mistakes, it is advisable to consult a personal injury attorney before taking any actions that could jeopardize the claim or result in an inadequate settlement.
