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Criminal Defense
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Personal Injury
Raleigh Hit and Run Lawyer
Serving Wake County & Beyond
250+ Reviews and counting
Hit and run charges in North Carolina carry criminal penalties, license revocation, and serious consequences that multiply if injuries or property damage are involved. Work with a Raleigh defense lawyer who can challenge identification evidence, mitigate penalties, and protect your driving privileges. Call now to schedule your consultation.
You panicked. Maybe you were scared, confused, or didn’t realize the severity of what happened. Now you’re facing hit and run charges that could send you to prison for years and strip away your driver’s license. The weight of what you’ve done—or what they say you’ve done—is crushing.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we understand that good people make mistakes in moments of fear. We’ve defended numerous hit-and-run cases in Wake County, from minor property damage to serious injury accidents. We know the prosecutors, the judges, and most importantly, we know how to protect your freedom when one terrible decision threatens to define your entire life.
The difference between walking free and spending years in prison often comes down to the defense you mount right now.
Hit-and-run charges arise when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without fulfilling their legal obligations. Under North Carolina General Statute § 20-166, if you’re involved in any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage, you must:
For accidents involving unattended property or parked cars, you must make reasonable efforts to locate the owner or leave a visible note with your information.
The law doesn’t care if you were at fault for the accident. It only cares that you left without fulfilling these duties.
The severity of hit-and-run charges depends on what happened in the accident:
Property Damage Only (Class 1 Misdemeanor)
Injury Without Serious Harm (Class H Felony)
Serious Bodily Injury (Class F Felony)
Fatal Accident (Class F Felony)
Additional DMV Penalties. Beyond criminal court, the DMV will take separate action against your license:
The consequences go far beyond the courtroom. A hit-and-run conviction can cost you your career, your finances, and your reputation.
Every hit-and-run case is different, and the right defense depends on the specific circumstances. Our experienced attorneys have successfully used these strategies:
You Weren’t the Driver
Someone else was driving your car? You weren’t even at the scene? The prosecution must prove you were behind the wheel beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lack of Knowledge
You genuinely didn’t know an accident occurred? Minor contact in heavy traffic or parking lots can go unnoticed. If you had no knowledge of the accident, you can’t be guilty of knowingly leaving the scene.
No Actual Damage or Injury
The law requires actual damage or injury. If the investigation reveals no real damage occurred, the charges may not stand.
Emergency Circumstances
Were you rushing someone to the hospital? Fleeing a dangerous situation? True emergencies can provide legal justification for leaving temporarily.
Mistaken Identity
Witness misidentification, especially in chaotic accident scenes, happens more often than you’d think. We challenge unreliable identifications.
A hit-and-run charge doesn’t have to define your future. With the right legal team and a defense built on facts, context, and experience, it’s possible to reduce or even dismiss the charges.
Hit-and-run cases move fast. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Security footage gets deleted. Every day you wait to hire an attorney is a day the prosecution gets stronger.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we immediately:
We also guide you through the difficult decision of whether to turn yourself in. Sometimes, taking responsibility early—with an attorney protecting your rights—leads to dramatically better outcomes than waiting for police to find you.
We know you’re terrified. Maybe you’re considering turning yourself in, but don’t know how. Maybe the police are already investigating. Either way, what you do next will determine whether this mistake defines your entire future.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we’ve helped clients facing the worst moments of their lives. We don’t judge—we defend. Our job is to stand between you and prosecutors who want to make an example of you.
Call us now for a completely confidential consultation. Tell us what happened. Let us tell you what we can do. The sooner you call, the more options we have to protect your freedom, your license, and your future.
There’s a right way to handle hit-and-run charges. Don’t face this alone.
Wake County
Carteret County
Durham County
Orange County
Chatham County
Johnston County (Smithfield courthouse only)
Yes, and it’s often the smartest move—but only with an attorney protecting your rights. Voluntarily coming forward shows responsibility and often leads to better plea offers or reduced charges. However, never walk into a police station alone. We’ll coordinate your surrender, ensure you’re processed quickly, and prevent damaging statements.
Lack of knowledge is a valid defense. The prosecution must prove you knew or reasonably should have known about the accident. Minor contact in parking lots, debris strikes, or accidents in heavy traffic might genuinely go unnoticed. We’ll investigate whether a reasonable person in your situation would have known about the collision.
Most insurance policies exclude coverage for intentional criminal acts. A hit-and-run conviction could void your coverage, leaving you personally liable for all damages. This makes fighting the charges even more critical—not just to avoid criminal penalties but to preserve insurance coverage for civil claims.
Absolutely. We regularly negotiate reductions from felonies to misdemeanors, or from criminal charges to traffic infractions. Dismissals are possible when we can show a lack of knowledge, mistaken identity, or insufficient evidence. Early intervention and aggressive defense make favorable outcomes much more likely.
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