20+ Years of Experience
Hit And Run
If you’ve been charged with a hit and run in DuPage County, our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process. We provide aggressive defense strategies tailored to your case, ensuring your rights are protected. Hit and run charges are serious and can lead to severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible imprisonment. Contact us for a consultation and let us work to minimize the consequences you face.
20+ Years of Experience
Experienced Former Prosecutor
Top Rated in Criminal Defense
Are you facing criminal charges for a hit and run in Chicago? If so, it is important to speak with an experienced Chicago hit and run attorney as soon as you can. Leaving the scene of an accident is prosecuted aggressively in Illinois. The consequences of a hit and run conviction are harsh and may even include mandatory time behind bars. You have the right to fight the charges against you and the Kostopoulos Law Group can help. Call former prosecutor Gus Kostopoulos today to schedule a free consultation. We have more than 30 years of combined legal experience and understand that your future is on the line. We utilize an aggressive pre-investigative process that is designed to minimize the consequences of your arrest. In many cases, we are able to get the charges against our clients reduced or dismissed. Call the Kostopoulos Law Group today to set up a free consultation and learn more.
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What is a Hit and Run in Illinois?
When you operate a car on the road you assume certain duties and responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to stop your vehicle and remain at the scene of an accident that causes property damage, bodily injury, or death. Pursuant to Illinois 625 ILCS 5/11-402, drivers who are “involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury to or death of another person” or “damage to a vehicle” have an obligation to:
- Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident;
- Exchange personal information with others involved in the accident;
- Assist or arrange for injured person(s) to receive medical care; and
- Remain on the scene until the matter is resolved.
Elements of a Hit and Run
If you breach this requirement, as imposed by law, you can face criminal charges for a hit and run. However, in order to convict you of this crime the prosecution must be able to establish that you are guilty of each element of the crime. This means that the prosecution must prove:
- You drove a vehicle that was involved in an accident;
- This accident caused another person to suffer property damage, bodily injury, or death; and
- You drive away from the scene without exchanging information, checking to see if anyone needs medical attention, and waiting for police.
Exchange Personal Information
Illinois law requires you to provide all of the following information to any parties who suffer an injury in your accident:
- Your name;
- Address;
- Registration; and
- Name of the owner of the vehicle.
Ensure Injured Parties Get Medical Help
If you are involved in an accident that causes another person to suffer an injury you are required to make sure that they receive medical attention. This can include bringing that person to a medical facility yourself and/or making arrangements to have them transported by an ambulance or law enforcement officer.
Responsibility to Stay or Return
It is important to know that if you do leave the scene of an accident you have a short window of time to return. In most situations, this means that you must return to the scene or find a safe location within 30 minutes of the accident. If you are injured in the accident you must report the incident to your local police within 30 minutes of being discharged from the hospital. If your accident impedes traffic or puts you at risk of harm, you are permitted to move to the side of the road or drive a reasonable distance to find a safe location to pull over.
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My family’s lawyer told me that you are top trial lawyers. You won my felony hearing and got my felony completely dismissed! Thank you
– Michael L
“I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery”
I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery , had 3 warrants issued for my arrest and had these stupid charges weighing on me for 6 years, not wanting to face the music. I finally got picked up and with 6 small children at home, there was NO WAY I could afford to have jailtime. Joe listened and asked crucial questions and from the start he told me he would get it dismissed. I was skeptical to say the least. I paid him in 2 payments (he is super flexible) and then waited after the holidays for final court date. Completely dismissed. He will not give you false hope. He is honest, real and the ONLY person I want in my corner. HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! Don’t have someone else give you the runaround as most attorneys do. Save yourself the BS and GO WITH JOE !!!
– Christina S. | March 2019
“I could not be more pleasedand thankful.”
Please read this before you look for another lawyer!! First off, I want to say I am writing this review not because someone asked but because I am so beyond grateful and impressed to have had this group defending me in the court of law. I have never had such exceptional customer service and treated as if I were a high-end long time client. They made me feel like my case was just as important to them as the next. Their articulate steps were given to me in the very beginning to go over what was to be expected and what their goal was. Their rather diligent and speedy efforts to resolve my case couldn’t have been dealt with any better as my case could have gone south real quick. I trusted this group to take full control, let them do their work and they delivered with an outcome I was not expecting. I could not be more pleased and thankful as well as appreciated their flexibility with my payments (that was more than affordable for the hard work they did) as I was in a tight bind at the time. Thank you Joe, Rosemary and everyone else in between who have helped along the way! Your efforts were not unrecognized and I wish your group the best in the future to come! Lets just hope I don’t have to go through this again. If so I’m calling you back!!
– Mareena G. | January 2020
“He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record.”
I came into some trouble with the law and being my first ever having to hire a lawyer was difficult. When a good friend of mine told me about Joe at Kostopoulos Law Group I had a good feeling about him. Around the time I came into some trouble with the law I was in the process of enlisting for the United States Marines. This court case was stopping me from going any further with my plans of enlisting. I brought the case to Joe and let him know my situation. He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record. Joe cleared it all up for me and I had little to no worries. I HIGHLY recommended Joe from Kostopoulos Law Group. He will put your mind to ease and take care of your legal trouble. Joe is a very down to earth guy, respectful man, and super friendly. Thank you Joe for taking care of my case I really appreciate it.
– Jonathan G. | November 2019
“Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed.”
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to Joe and Gus. It is very hard to find a dedicated sincere attorney like Joe. Even if anyone calls their number in the middle of the night, Joe will be there to answer and hear your case for sure. Just like that, few months ago, I got into a very unfortunate circumstance. My wife was worried sick didn’t know what to do, called the Kostopoulos Law firm in the middle of the night, since then, Joe is been supporting me till the case got completely dismissed. Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed. Words are enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for their sincere dedication and hard work. They went above and beyond to make sure I understood what was happening and what needed to be done to get the case completely dismissed and expunged. To say my experience with the Kostopoulos Law group was pleasant would be the biggest understatement. I am forever thankful to them both. If you happen to find yourself if legal troubles I highly recommend the Kostopoulos Law Group.Thank you Gus, Joe and Rosemary!!
– Imran Q. | May 2019
Consequences of a Hit and Run in Chicago
Leaving the scene of an accident, or a hit and run, can be a misdemeanor or a felony offense in Chicago. The specific charge you face will depend on the type and seriousness of damage that was inflicted and your criminal record. Hit and Run Causing Property Damage: A hit and run for an accident causing only property damage is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $2,500 in fines. You may also be required to pay restitution to your victim for the extent of his/her property damage. Hit and Run Causing Personal Injury or Death: A hit and run for an accident causing another person to suffer a personal injury or death is a Class 4 Felony, punishable by 1-3 years in prison and $25,000 in fines. Hit and Run Involving Alcohol: When you are charged with a hit and run you are required to submit to chemical testing. Refusing to take or failing the tests can result in Class 2 Felony charges, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and $25,000 in fines. Fatal Hit and Run Involving Alcohol: If you flee the scene of an accident that results in another person’s death and either refuse or fail chemical testing, you can face Class 1 Felony charges. A Class 1 Felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and $25,000 in fines. In addition to jail time, restitution, and hefty fines your driving privileges may also be suspended or revoked. Contact an experienced Chicago hit and run attorney to learn more about how to get your suspended license reinstated.
Defending Hit and Run Charges
When you are accused of a hit and run in Chicago you have the right to defend yourself. The best way to limit the prosecution’s ability to build a case against you is to assert any argument that will explain or excuse your alleged behavior. When these arguments are successful, the prosecution will be more likely to offer a plea or dismiss the charges altogether. Defenses that may be helpful in your Chicago hit and run case include:
- You were not involved in an accident;
- You did not know that you were involved in an accident;
- You were not aware that anyone was injured; and/or
- You took all reasonable steps to uphold your duty.
Call Chicago Hit and Run Attorney Gus Kostopoulos Today
Have you been charged with a hit and run in Chicago? Call the Kostopoulos Law Group today to find out how we can help to limit the consequences of your arrest. We know that a conviction for a hit and run will have serious consequences and limit your ability to live a normal life. If your license is suspended or revoked you will have difficulties getting to work and caring for your family. You can limit the likelihood of being face with these (and other) consequences by hiring an experienced Chicago hit and run attorney to defend you. Call the Kostopoulos Law Group today to set up a free consultation and learn more.
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