In California, it can be a misdemeanor or a felony to leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information with the other party or parties involved. A hit and run can result in a misdemeanor if the crash only resulted in property damage. A hit and run can result in a felony if the crash resulted in someone getting injured.
The information that you should exchange after a crash are the following: your name, current address, name and address of the car’s registered owner, driver license, vehicle registration, and insurance carrier information.
A misdemeanor hit and run is punishable by up to 180 days in county jail, three years of probation, court fines of up to $1,000, and restitution to the victim. A felony hit and run is punishable by up to two to four years in state prison, court fines of up to $10,000, and restitution to the victim. Furthermore, a conviction of a hit and run can lead to paying more for car insurance and your license getting suspended.
If you’re involved in a car crash, do everyone (including yourself) a favor and stop after a crash to exchange information and make sure that everybody is OK and file a police report. If you’re the victim of a hit and run, make sure to file a police report right away and document evidence of the damage to your car.
It is also advisable to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney after you’ve been involved in a car accident. Neither the other party’s insurance company or your insurance company is looking out what is best for you. An experienced and trustworthy attorney will be able to provide you with solid legal information and advice and guide you in the right direction – even if they don’t take your case.
What Happens If You Leave the Scene of a Car Accident?
- CALIFORNIA PERSONAL INJURY LAW GUIDE
- » Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in California
- » Personal Injury Settlements and Damages in California
- ⇒ California Injury After a Car Accident Law Guide
- » Product Liability Law in California
- » Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury in California
- » California Personal Injury Court Proceedings
- » How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
It’s surprisingly common for people to leave the scene after a car accident, which is a criminal offense. Whether you’re at fault for a car crash, it is your responsibility to stop and exchange information with the other driver(s). If someone is injured in a crash, it is also recommended that you provide assistance if it is safe to do so.
- CALIFORNIA PERSONAL INJURY LAW GUIDE
- » Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in California
- » Personal Injury Settlements and Damages in California
- ⇒ California Injury After a Car Accident Law Guide
- » Product Liability Law in California
- » Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury in California
- » California Personal Injury Court Proceedings
- » How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lem Garcia
West Covina car accident law office, Lem Garcia Law, was opened to give people who were injured in a car accident a place to turn when they need help the most. I am a lifelong resident of West Covina and my goal is to help the area as much as I can. I am the youngest of three boys and the son of an engineer and hairstylist. I went to public schools in West Covina and went to college at Cal Poly Pomona. I went to law school in Western State University College of Law. I believe that by helping injured victims, I am making a difference in their lives.
Copyright Lem Garcia Law
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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication at the time it was written. It is not intended to provide legal advice or suggest a guaranteed outcome as individual situations will differ and the law may have changed since publication. Readers considering legal action should consult with an experienced lawyer to understand current laws and.how they may affect a case. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.