If you’re searching for a Lancaster Hit and Run DUI Lawyer, you may be facing serious legal trouble after a motor vehicle accident. Being involved in a hit and run accident while also being accused of driving under the influence can lead to harsh penalties in Lancaster, including jail time, fines, and loss of your driver’s license.
Lancaster DUI lawyers often use a wide range of defense tactics in DUI cases. These may include challenging the validity of field sobriety tests, the procedures used during a sobriety checkpoint, or the reliability of chemical testing devices.
Understanding your rights and the legal process after a DUI accident is the first step in protecting yourself. The team at Los Angeles DUI Lawyer has been a legal resource for thousands of people facing charges like yours. Reach out now to discuss your case and be put in touch with a Lancaster hit and run DUI lawyer who will fight the charges against you.
Understanding Hit and Run and DUI Incidents
Being involved in a hit and run DUI is a serious situation that can lead to both criminal charges and civil consequences. These incidents are treated with urgency by law enforcement and courts, especially when they result in injuries, property damage, or fatalities.
Whether the driver is accused of fleeing the scene or driving with a high Blood Alcohol Content, the legal outcomes can be life–changing. That’s why you should have an experienced hit and run DUI lawyer in Lancaster to defend you.
Definition and Overview
A hit and run occurs when a driver is involved in a motor vehicle accident and leaves the scene without stopping to provide information or help. When this happens alongside driving under the influence, it becomes a more serious legal matter.
In California, a DUI refers to driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over the legal limit or while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Law enforcement may use field sobriety tests, chemical testing, or a breathalyzer to confirm impairment. Results are often recorded in police reports and used in court.
Legal Implications and Consequences
Penalties under California’s drunk driving laws depend on several factors, including prior offenses, injury severity, and BAC level. A hit and run tied to DUI can lead to jail time, fines, or license suspension. Some cases fall under second-degree felony charges.
Drivers may also face administrative penalties through the DMV hearing process and be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). A chemical test refusal may lead to consequences under the implied consent law. Legal consequences may include:
- Loss or suspension of your driver’s license
- Mandatory use of an IID
- Increased insurance premiums or denied coverage by insurance companies
- Criminal penalties, including jail time and court costs
- Civil liability for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages
- Possible charges for felony hit and run involving injury or death
- Review of evidence such as BAC test, blood draw, and surveillance footage
- Application of dram shop or social host laws if alcohol was served illegally
These consequences often apply whether the crash occurred in Lancaster or any other city in California.
Differences Between DUI Accident Claims and DUI Criminal Cases
DUI incidents can lead to both criminal and civil actions. While they stem from the same event, each process serves a different purpose. Understanding the difference between a DUI criminal case and a DUI accident claim helps explain why both may happen at the same time.
A DUI criminal case is handled in court by prosecutors. It may involve charges such as reckless driving, aggravated assault while DUI, or hit and run accident offenses. The focus is on breaking California DUI laws, and outcomes may include jail time, fines, or the use of an IID.
A personal injury claim, on the other hand, is about helping victims recover. These civil claims aim to cover medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. The injured party may seek compensation from the driver or their insurance policy. These claims often rely on police reports, witnesses, and surveillance footage.
Key Differences to Consider
- Criminal cases are handled by the state and may lead to penalties such as a suspended driver’s license or time in jail.
- Civil claims are filed by victims and aim to recover money for injuries and losses.
- Evidence in criminal cases may include BAC tests, chemical testing, or field sobriety tests.
- Civil cases often focus on insurance coverage, damages, and driver responsibility.
- A driver can be found not guilty in criminal court but still held responsible in a civil case.
Both types of cases can involve the same motor vehicle accident, and both can affect your future. In DUI matters that include a hit and run, traumatic brain injuries, or serious bodily injury, it’s common for victims to pursue both kinds of action.
Consult a Hit and Run DUI Lawyer in Lancaster, California, Today
If you are facing charges for a hit and run accident involving driving under the influence, it’s important to consult a hit and run DUI lawyer serving Lancaster. These cases often involve both criminal defense and personal injury concerns, especially if injuries or property damage occurred.
Whether you’re dealing with the risk of jail time, insurance penalties, or personal loss, legal support may help clarify what steps to take next. Speaking with a hit and run DUI lawyer can help you better understand your legal options and the possible outcomes in your case.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we’ve spent nearly 20 years connecting clients facing charges like yours with defense lawyers who can fight for their futures. Contact us today to get started on your path to justice.
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