Fort Worth Collision Involving Damage to Vehicle Defense Attorney

Knowledgeable Defense Lawyer for Charges of Fleeing After a Collision Involving Property Damage in Fort Worth, Texas

Getting in a car wreck can derail your entire day. However, even if the collision didn't result in an injury, you still have a duty to remain at the scene and fulfill certain obligations. Driving away from a collision could result in criminal penalties in Texas, leaving a blemish on your record. For legal help in cases such as these, reach out to a Fort Worth, TX collision involving damage to a vehicle defense lawyer.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we have real experience handling both traffic violations and criminal offenses. Attorney Edwardo Meza has been practicing the law for over a decade, which means he can investigate your case in detail and give you a clear idea of the defenses available.

What Do You Have to Do at the Scene of a Collision Resulting Only in Property Damage?

At the scene of a collision resulting only in property damage, Texas law requires each driver involved to stop immediately. You must stop at the scene of the wreck or as close as you can without blocking the road more than necessary. If you did not stop at the scene, you are expected to return to it right away.

Once stopped, you must stay at the scene until you have shared certain information with the other driver. This includes your name, your address, your vehicle's registration number, and the name of your auto insurance company. If the other driver asks, you must also show your driver's license.

What Happens if You Drive Away From a Car Wreck in Texas?

Driving away from a car wreck in Texas without following the above requirements can lead to criminal charges. When the wreck causes only vehicle damage, the charge is a misdemeanor, and the level depends on the total amount of damage.

If the damage to all vehicles involved is less than $200, failing to stop and share information is a Class C misdemeanor. A Class C misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $500 but no jail time. If the damage is $200 or more, the offense becomes a Class B misdemeanor. A Class B conviction can lead to up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Even minor dents and scratches can cost more than $200 to repair, which means that you should come prepared with a strong defense. Leaving the scene of a wreck where someone was injured or killed is a separate and much more serious offense.

What if You Can't Safely Stop After a Collision?

In some situations, it is not safe to stop right where a collision happened. If a collision happens on a freeway's main lanes, an on-ramp or off-ramp, a shoulder, a median, or a nearby area in a metropolitan region, drivers are expected to move their vehicles out of traffic as soon as possible if the vehicles can still be driven "normally and safely" per state law.

In that case, drivers should move to a safer location to exchange information. This can be an approved collision investigation site if one is available, a spot on the frontage road, or another location where the vehicles are out of the way. Moving your vehicle for safety does not mean you left the scene, as long as you stopped nearby and followed through on the information requirements.

Other Ways to Fight a Charge of Not Staying at the Scene of the Accident

Other ways to fight a charge of not staying at the scene of an accident depend on the facts of the case. Mistaken identity is a common issue. Witnesses may remember only part of a license plate or confuse your car with another vehicle of a similar color or model.

Good-faith efforts to comply can also help. You may have stopped and waited, only for the other driver to leave first, or you may have tried to exchange information but were unable to do so. In some cases, a driver did not realize a collision occurred, especially with a minor bump in heavy traffic.

Contact Our Fort Worth Collision Involving Damage to Vehicle Defense Lawyer Today

Leaving the scene of a wreck can have real consequences, even when the collision was minor. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we work to protect your record with a careful defense strategy. Contact our Fort Worth, TX collision involving damage to vehicle defense attorney or call 817-732-6392 for a free consultation.