If you’ve been in an accident and left the scene, even for reasons that felt justified in the moment, you could be looking at a hit and run charge in North Carolina. Maybe it was just a scraped bumper. Maybe things were more serious. Either way, the law doesn’t treat it like a simple traffic issue. It’s considered a crime, and the consequences can follow you well beyond the roadside.

North Carolina Hit and Run Defense Lawyers

Leaving the scene of an accident—whether out of fear, confusion, or a simple lapse in judgment—can lead to serious legal trouble. But being charged with a hit and run doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, or that the outcome is already set in stone.

If you’re facing this kind of charge in New Bern or the surrounding area, you’re probably unsure of what happens next. That’s completely understandable. These cases can get complicated fast, especially when injury or property damage is involved. The law is strict, and the penalties can be steep, but there are often more options than it might seem at first glance.

At Summit Law Group, we’ve represented many people in your shoes. We know how these cases are handled in local courts, and we’ll help you understand your position and what we can do about it. If you want to talk through your case, we offer a free initial consultation.

Understanding Hit and Run Charges in North Carolina

In North Carolina, if you’re involved in a car accident—whether it’s a minor fender bender or something more serious—the law says you have to stop. That means pulling over, checking on anyone involved, and giving your name, address, driver’s license, and registration to the other driver or law enforcement.

If you leave the scene without doing that, you could be charged with a crime. And depending on what happened in the accident, the consequences can vary quite a bit.

  • Property damage only: If no one was hurt and it’s just damage to a car or other property, leaving the scene could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor. That comes with up to 120 days in jail, fines, and points on your license.
  • Injury or death: If someone was seriously hurt—or worse—the charge becomes much more serious. You could face a Class H or Class F felony, which carries anywhere from 4 to 41 months in prison, a suspended license, and a permanent mark on your criminal record.

Every case is different. But what doesn’t change is that the state treats hit and run offenses as more than just a traffic issue—they’re considered criminal offenses, and the penalties can reach well beyond court fines or insurance premiums.

What Happens After You’re Charged With a Hit and Run in North Carolina?

Once charged, you’ll typically receive a court date and may be arrested or issued a criminal summons, depending on the severity of the case. It’s crucial to speak with a defense attorney right away—before speaking to law enforcement. Anything you say can be used against you. Our attorneys will guide you through the next steps and work to mitigate damage from the outset.

You Deserve a Strong Defense

At Summit Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys will examine every detail of your case to help you fight the charges or reduce the consequences. We may be able to:

  • Argue that you didn’t realize an accident had occurred
  • Challenge the prosecution’s ability to prove you were the driver
  • Present mitigating factors, like fear or confusion, that explain your actions
  • Seek reduced charges or alternative resolutions, such as community service or deferred prosecution

Even good, law-abiding people can find themselves charged with a crime after a moment of panic or misjudgment. You should not be defined by that one moment.

What Are the Penalties for a Hit and Run Conviction in NC?

The penalties for a hit and run conviction vary depending on the accident. If the incident involved only property damage, it may be charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor. If someone was injured or killed, the charges can be elevated to a Class H or Class F felony, which carry more severe consequences.

A conviction for hit and run can lead to serious penalties, including:

  • Jail or prison time (up to 120 days for misdemeanors and up to 41 months for felonies under the North Carolina Felony Sentencing Chart)
  • Expensive court fines and fees
  • A permanent criminal record
  • Increased or canceled auto insurance
  • Restitution for property damage or medical expenses

In many cases, a conviction will also result in a suspended driver’s license. Even if the judge does not order a suspension, the North Carolina DMV can take separate administrative action to revoke your driving privileges, especially if the accident involved injuries or if you have prior offenses on your record.

Additionally, under the state’s driver license points system, a hit and run conviction involving property damage will add four points to your driving record, which may trigger higher insurance premiums or further license consequences.

A hit and run conviction doesn’t just go on your driving record—it can show up in places you might not expect. It could make it harder to keep your job, apply to school, or move forward with other parts of your life. That’s why having the right attorney in your corner early on can make a real difference.

What if You Were Wrongly Accused of a Hit and Run?

It happens more often than most people realize: someone is charged with a hit and run based on limited or misleading evidence. Maybe your vehicle was near the scene, but you weren’t the one driving. Maybe you stopped, checked on things, and left thinking everything was fine, only to find out later that someone had filed a report. Or maybe you panicked, especially if you didn’t feel safe staying there.

There are also cases where someone left due to a genuine medical emergency, or where fear of the crowd, of being targeted, or of legal consequences overwhelmed their better judgment. And then there are the gray areas: low-light security footage, incomplete witness statements, or assumptions made based on vehicle make or color.

At Summit Law Group, we take the time to listen to you so we fully understand what happened. Everyone deserves a defense grounded in facts and fairness. That’s what we’re here to provide.

Out-of-State Drivers Charged with Hit and Run in NC

If you were visiting North Carolina or driving through the area when the incident occurred, you may still be charged under state law. Even if you’ve returned home, you’ll still need to appear in North Carolina court, or have a lawyer appear on your behalf in some cases.

We represent many out-of-state drivers and can help you avoid unnecessary travel, protect your record, and represent your interests with minimal disruption to your life.

Talk to a New Bern Hit and Run Defense Lawyer Today

If you’ve been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, whether it was a misunderstanding, an honest mistake, or a case of mistaken identity, you don’t have to face it alone. Summit Law Group has a long track record defending clients against criminal charges in New Bern, Pamlico County, and Craven County.

We’ll help you understand your options, protect your rights, and work toward the best possible outcome for your case.

Schedule a consult with us today and let Summit Law Group put our experience to work for you.

Summit Law Group helps residents of NC with hit and run cases, including those located in New Bern, Craven County, and Pamlico County.

Hit and Run

If you’ve been in an accident and left the scene, even for reasons that felt justified in the moment, you could be looking at a hit and run charge in North Carolina. Maybe it was just a scraped bumper. Maybe things were more serious. Either way, the law doesn’t treat it like a simple traffic issue. It’s considered a crime, and the consequences can follow you well beyond the roadside.

North Carolina Hit and Run Defense Lawyers

Leaving the scene of an accident—whether out of fear, confusion, or a simple lapse in judgment—can lead to serious legal trouble. But being charged with a hit and run doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, or that the outcome is already set in stone.

If you’re facing this kind of charge in New Bern or the surrounding area, you’re probably unsure of what happens next. That’s completely understandable. These cases can get complicated fast, especially when injury or property damage is involved. The law is strict, and the penalties can be steep, but there are often more options than it might seem at first glance.

At Summit Law Group, we’ve represented many people in your shoes. We know how these cases are handled in local courts, and we’ll help you understand your position and what we can do about it. If you want to talk through your case, we offer a free initial consultation.

Understanding Hit and Run Charges in North Carolina

In North Carolina, if you’re involved in a car accident—whether it’s a minor fender bender or something more serious—the law says you have to stop. That means pulling over, checking on anyone involved, and giving your name, address, driver’s license, and registration to the other driver or law enforcement.

If you leave the scene without doing that, you could be charged with a crime. And depending on what happened in the accident, the consequences can vary quite a bit.

  • Property damage only: If no one was hurt and it’s just damage to a car or other property, leaving the scene could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor. That comes with up to 120 days in jail, fines, and points on your license.
  • Injury or death: If someone was seriously hurt—or worse—the charge becomes much more serious. You could face a Class H or Class F felony, which carries anywhere from 4 to 41 months in prison, a suspended license, and a permanent mark on your criminal record.

Every case is different. But what doesn’t change is that the state treats hit and run offenses as more than just a traffic issue—they’re considered criminal offenses, and the penalties can reach well beyond court fines or insurance premiums.

What Happens After You’re Charged With a Hit and Run in North Carolina?

Once charged, you’ll typically receive a court date and may be arrested or issued a criminal summons, depending on the severity of the case. It’s crucial to speak with a defense attorney right away—before speaking to law enforcement. Anything you say can be used against you. Our attorneys will guide you through the next steps and work to mitigate damage from the outset.

You Deserve a Strong Defense

At Summit Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys will examine every detail of your case to help you fight the charges or reduce the consequences. We may be able to:

  • Argue that you didn’t realize an accident had occurred
  • Challenge the prosecution’s ability to prove you were the driver
  • Present mitigating factors, like fear or confusion, that explain your actions
  • Seek reduced charges or alternative resolutions, such as community service or deferred prosecution

Even good, law-abiding people can find themselves charged with a crime after a moment of panic or misjudgment. You should not be defined by that one moment.

What Are the Penalties for a Hit and Run Conviction in NC?

The penalties for a hit and run conviction vary depending on the accident. If the incident involved only property damage, it may be charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor. If someone was injured or killed, the charges can be elevated to a Class H or Class F felony, which carry more severe consequences.

A conviction for hit and run can lead to serious penalties, including:

  • Jail or prison time (up to 120 days for misdemeanors and up to 41 months for felonies under the North Carolina Felony Sentencing Chart)
  • Expensive court fines and fees
  • A permanent criminal record
  • Increased or canceled auto insurance
  • Restitution for property damage or medical expenses

In many cases, a conviction will also result in a suspended driver’s license. Even if the judge does not order a suspension, the North Carolina DMV can take separate administrative action to revoke your driving privileges, especially if the accident involved injuries or if you have prior offenses on your record.

Additionally, under the state’s driver license points system, a hit and run conviction involving property damage will add four points to your driving record, which may trigger higher insurance premiums or further license consequences.

A hit and run conviction doesn’t just go on your driving record—it can show up in places you might not expect. It could make it harder to keep your job, apply to school, or move forward with other parts of your life. That’s why having the right attorney in your corner early on can make a real difference.

What if You Were Wrongly Accused of a Hit and Run?

It happens more often than most people realize: someone is charged with a hit and run based on limited or misleading evidence. Maybe your vehicle was near the scene, but you weren’t the one driving. Maybe you stopped, checked on things, and left thinking everything was fine, only to find out later that someone had filed a report. Or maybe you panicked, especially if you didn’t feel safe staying there.

There are also cases where someone left due to a genuine medical emergency, or where fear of the crowd, of being targeted, or of legal consequences overwhelmed their better judgment. And then there are the gray areas: low-light security footage, incomplete witness statements, or assumptions made based on vehicle make or color.

At Summit Law Group, we take the time to listen to you so we fully understand what happened. Everyone deserves a defense grounded in facts and fairness. That’s what we’re here to provide.

Out-of-State Drivers Charged with Hit and Run in NC

If you were visiting North Carolina or driving through the area when the incident occurred, you may still be charged under state law. Even if you’ve returned home, you’ll still need to appear in North Carolina court, or have a lawyer appear on your behalf in some cases.

We represent many out-of-state drivers and can help you avoid unnecessary travel, protect your record, and represent your interests with minimal disruption to your life.

Talk to a New Bern Hit and Run Defense Lawyer Today

If you’ve been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, whether it was a misunderstanding, an honest mistake, or a case of mistaken identity, you don’t have to face it alone. Summit Law Group has a long track record defending clients against criminal charges in New Bern, Pamlico County, and Craven County.

We’ll help you understand your options, protect your rights, and work toward the best possible outcome for your case.

Schedule a consult with us today and let Summit Law Group put our experience to work for you.

Summit Law Group helps residents of NC with hit and run cases, including those located in New Bern, Craven County, and Pamlico County.