Bellevue Hit & Run Lawyers
Serious Defense for Serious Charges
Hit and run charges are particularly harsh because they often result in both civil and criminal penalties. Victims tend to bring lawsuits against defendants for injuring them and/or damaging their property, which is why it is especially imperative to retain powerhouse legal defense right away.
Hitting a vehicle with your car is one thing, but fleeing the scene of an accident is a whole different territory that calls for an attorney. Hit and run can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in Washington State depending on the extent of the damage, as well as other circumstances that we will explain below. A conviction for either type of charge can result in substantial jail time, heavy fines, loss of employment, a criminal record, mandatory victim restitution, and more. For these reasons, it is in your best interests to retain our Bellevue hit and run attorneys at Veitch Ault Defense. We have a history of achieving favorable outcomes on behalf of numerous clients and have even won noteworthy awards as a result.
What is a Hit & Run?
In Washington State, a hit and run occurs when a driver is involved in an accident and flees the scene without providing their contact and insurance information. However, the type of charges and subsequent penalties heavily depend on whether the victim is present at the scene of the accident as well as the extent of the damage. That said, we explain hit and run attended as well as hit and run unattended charges in Washington State below.
Hit and Run Attended in Washington State
A person is guilty of a hit and run attended if, after being involved in an accident with an attended vehicle, they fail to do the following:
- Immediately stop
- Provide their name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number to the owner of any other vehicle involved in the accident
- Show their driver’s license to the owner of any other vehicle involved in the accident
- Render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident
If convicted of any type of hit and run crime in Washington State, there is a mandatory license revocation of 1 year along with a 3-year SR-22 insurance requirement. The additional penalties for a hit and run attended depend largely on the type of damage caused by the driving. See below:
- If the driver involved in the accident failed to stop or comply with any of the other requirements above and the accident resulted in death, the driver may be charged with a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine
- If the accident resulted in injury, a hit and run attended is a class C felony, punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
- If the accident involved striking the body of a deceased person, a hit and run attended is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine
- If the accident involved resulted in only damage to another attended vehicle or property, hit and run attended is a gross misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine
Hit and Run Unattended in Washington State
The penalties are less severe for committing a hit and run when the owner of the vehicle is NOT at the accident scene. Nonetheless, hit and run unattended is penalized harshly and can result in jail time, fines, and more. A person is guilty of hit and run unattended if, after colliding with an unattended vehicle, they fail to do the following:
- Immediately stop
- Locate the owner of the other vehicle or provide their name address OR leave their name and address in a conspicuous place on the other vehicle
In Washington State, hit and run unattended is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. Unlike hit and run attended, an unattended conviction does not result in a driver’s license revocation or a 3-year SR-22 Insurance requirement. Although you wouldn’t lose your driving privileges upon a hit and run unattended conviction, you could still lose a lot.
Protect Your Freedom with the Right Law Firm
Remember, you are innocent until proven guilty, and our attorneys will fight tirelessly to help maintain your innocence. We understand that there’s a lot at stake in hit and run cases, as you could lose your driving privileges, freedom, and reputation. That said, it’s essential to retain an attorney who is well-suited to handle charges like yours.
Choosing the right lawyer is no simple decision, so choose wisely and rely on Veitch Ault Defense for all your hit and run defense needs. To us, you’re not just another case number. It’s personal. As such, you can count on us to leverage our experience, insights, and strategies to help you move forward from your charges.
To get in touch with our Bellevue hit and run lawyers, contact us at 425-452-1600 !
Criminal Defense
Contact Us
NHTSA training in both DWI Detection/Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (FST) along with Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Enforcement (ARIDE)
If you were arrested for DUI anywhere in King County, the first few days matter. You have a short window to protect your license and begin addressing the court case.
Veitch Ault Defense offers free, confidential consultations. You can speak directly with an attorney about your situation, what to expect, and what steps to take next.
Call 425-452-1600 or contact us online to get started.
Integrity. Accountability. Experience.
To schedule your free consultation and learn more, contact us at 425-452-1600 !
Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.
03 Domestic Violence
04 Harassment
06 Malicious Mischief
07 Minor in Possession
08 Negligent Driving
09 Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
10 Reckless Driving
11 Resisting Arrest
Client Reviews
“If at any point you find yourself in the need of a professional in Robert's line of work, I cannot urge you enough to contact him and at least have the initial meeting.”
“I hired Rob to represent me and it was the best decision I believe I could have made. He actually won the initial DOL hearing for me (which is rare I understand now), meaning I didn't lose my license for 90 days as most charged people do.”
I have worked with a number of attorneys throughout my lifetime in a number of different capacities. And I definitely consider Rob to be of the highest caliber
I have used Rob & recommended him to other people. Rob is one of the most dedicated & thorough professionals I have encountered. Very skilled & dedicated to his trade.
My only regret is not contacting Rob right after my arrest. This was my first arrest and I had no idea what to do or to expect. Rob is easy to work with.
I did everything Rob wanted me to do and wound up with an absolutely ideal outcome for my circumstances.
I was referred to the Veitch law firm by a friend. Robert was always upfront about the “dance” that had to occur in going to court. This was very helpful.
Rob is very knowledgeable in his field of law and was able to convey to me how we would navigate through the process.
Rob treated my case as if I was his only client. I could tell he put a lot of thought into everything he did to support me. Rob took a lot of the burden off my shoulders, and he helped me every step of the way.
I will continue to and have already recommended Rob Ault, as an attorney to others in my situation. I sincerely believe the outcome we received would not be what it was, had he not been my attorney and on my side.
Good experience, happy with the case outcome, highly recommended. Rob is definitely who you want on your side in a case.
Amazing results, Rob gives you and your family the best legal services in the state. very professional and caring. 100% satisfaction with his services.
Rob successfully fought my DUI down to a Reckless Driving charge, and soon it will be dismissed off my record.
I couldn’t have asked for a better person/attorney on my side. Not only did he help with any and all questions (and I had many) but he answered them with ease and promptly.
Robert Ault did an excellent job representing our college student throughout all the phases of a difficult case over the past year with a DUI charge and plea of not guilty.
I have never had, heard, nor seen any attorney working so hard for their client as Mr. Robert Ault did for me. He has my unwavering support and complete endorsement. I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking counsel for DUI/DWI defense.
Rob made a miracle happen in my case, I am glad I chose him. I talked to several other attorneys before him, and they said you are not walking out of this without at least a misdemeanor. Rob got it dismissed on one court day! He is definitely worth every penny.
Bellevue Office
2122 112th Ave. NE, Suite A200
Bellevue, WA 98004
Lynnwood Office
20102 Cedar Valley Rd., Suite 104
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Talk to a King County DUI Defense Attorney Today
Successful Defense of Hundreds of DUI Cases
7 years as Super Lawyer
Your First Initial Consultation Is Free
Dedicated to the Highest Level of Advocacy on Behalf of Their Clients
Each client is given their attorney’s personal cell phone # and can reach out at any time
We Have Successfully Defended Hundreds of DUI Cases
Reach Out to Us as Soon as Possible to Get the Best Solution For Your Case
For a free consultation to discuss your pending case or other legal matters, please call us any time at
or complete our online contact form. Our attorneys will explain the entire process surrounding your charge and remove the fear and uncertainty regarding your arrest. Our team should be your first call if you need a top-rated, dedicated, and responsive DUI/DWI or criminal defense attorney. If success in your legal matters is your only option, we hope that you will place your trust in top-rated Washington State DUI attorney Robert Ault.
Get Started with a Free Consultation