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WHAT IS HIT AND RUN (LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT) IN NEVADA?
Nevada law requires drivers involved in accidents to stop, provide identification, and render reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene of an accident — commonly called hit and run — is a crime whose severity depends on whether the accident caused property damage, injury, or death.
WHAT THE PROSECUTION MUST PROVE
To convict you of Hit and Run (Leaving the Scene of an Accident) in Nevada, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
The defendant was the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident
The accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage
The defendant knowingly left the scene without stopping
The defendant failed to provide required information or assistance
If the prosecution cannot prove any single element beyond a reasonable doubt, you cannot be convicted.
PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUN (LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT) IN NEVADA
Property damage only
Misdemeanor — up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine
Injury to another person
Category B Felony — 2–15 years prison
Death of another person
Category B Felony — 2–20 years prison
THOMAS'S DEFENSE TIPS
Insights from Thomas Boley — Las Vegas criminal defense attorney with 18+ years defending hit and run (leaving the scene of an accident) charges
Hit and run cases often turn on whether the driver actually knew an accident occurred. If you did not realize you hit something or someone, that lack of knowledge is a defense to the 'knowingly left' element.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and dashcams is gathered quickly in these cases. I advise clients to preserve any evidence of their own before it disappears.
Many hit and run cases involve panicked decisions made in the moment. Returning to the scene or contacting law enforcement shortly after the incident can sometimes mitigate the legal consequences.
If alcohol or drugs were involved, the hit and run charge is often accompanied by DUI charges. The decision to leave the scene may have been influenced by fear of a DUI — this context matters.
Witness identification of a vehicle is often imprecise. License plate numbers recalled under stress, partial plates, and similar vehicle descriptions can all be challenged.
The above represents general observations from years of criminal defense practice in Nevada. Every case is different — contact Thomas for advice specific to your situation.
COMMON DEFENSES TO HIT AND RUN (LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT)
Every case is unique, but these are the defenses most commonly raised in hit and run (leaving the scene of an accident) cases in Nevada:
Lack of knowledge that an accident occurred
Defendant was not the driver of the vehicle
Mistaken vehicle identification
Emergency circumstances that justified leaving
Insufficient evidence linking defendant to the scene