When you’re involved in a traffic accident in Oklahoma, the law requires specific actions from you. This is especially true if the incident results in injury, death, or property damage. Failing to comply with these legal duties can lead to serious consequences, including criminal charges. Here’s what constitutes the crime of leaving the scene of an accident in Oklahoma.
Obligations at the Scene of an Accident
Under §47-10-102, if you are driving and involved in an accident that causes nonfatal injuries, you must immediately stop your vehicle at the accident scene. Like other traffic infractions in Tulsa It’s crucial that you remain at the scene until you fulfill further legal requirements. This include providing your personal details and helping the injured parties if needed. Similarly, if the accident results in death. the same rules apply. One difference is that the potential legal consequences are even more severe because of the gravity of the incident.
In cases where the accident only results in vehicle damage, you have to stop and handle the situation similarly, providing your information and waiting for law enforcement if necessary.
Consequences of Failing to Stop
If you leave the scene of an accident without fulfilling these obligations, you may face serious charges. For accidents involving nonfatal injuries, leaving the scene can lead to a felony charge, with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to two years and fines reaching up to $1,000.
The penalties increase significantly if the accident results in death. Under these circumstances, you could face up to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
For accidents that only involve property damage, the charges are generally less severe but still serious. You might be fined up to $500 and could face up to one year behind bars.
License Revocation
Beyond criminal penalties, Oklahoma law says that if you are convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, the Commissioner of Public Safety will revoke your driving privileges. This is noted in all relevant sections for nonfatal injuries, fatalities, and property damage. This revocation can deeply impact your ability to work, attend school, and manage personal obligations.
Duty to Give Information and Render Aid
In Oklahoma, your responsibilities include providing accurate personal and vehicle information to other parties involved in the accident and assisting with medical needs if there are injuries. This might involve calling for medical help or even transporting injured parties to medical facilities if required.
Additionally, if the accident leads to significant injuries or death, and there’s a possibility you were violating traffic laws at the time, you must undergo drug and alcohol testing. This part of the law ensures that all contributing factors to the accident are thoroughly investigated.
Legal Implications of Non-Compliance
If you decide to leave the scene, besides facing criminal charges, you could be held civilly liable for damages, which can include compensation that is triple the amount of the actual damage caused. This can lead to significant financial burdens on top of criminal penalties.
Tulsa County Leaving The Scene Attorneys
The traffic laws in Oklahoma are clear. Leaving the scene of an accident without fulfilling your legal duties is a serious crime with severe repercussions. If you have been criminally charged, it’s advisable to contact a criminal defense lawyer at Tulsa County Lawyers Group. We can provide clarification on your rights and next steps. For a Free Consultation call us at (918) 379-4864 or follow this link to ask an online legal question.
