subject: Hit And Run Laws by:Mark Dacanay [print this page] Hit and run cases refers to the crime of colliding with a person, a property (including vehicles) or a fixture and failing to stop and identify oneself after the accident.
California laws covers hit and run cases in Los Angeles.
Under California laws, there are two statutes that cover hit and run cases. The Vehicle Code 20001 for felony hit and run cases and the Vehicle Code 20002 for misdemeanor hit and run cases.
Vehicle Code 20001
Under Code 20001, the state of California imposes the following duties to a person involved in a traffic collision that resulted in injury or death:
Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident
Show your driver's license and/or other alternative identification to the other party/ies involved including the police officers.
Provide reasonable assistance to any people who were injured in the accident. Reasonable assistance, according to California state law, means the driver must determine what assistance the injured party needs and then make a reasonable effort to provide such assistance.
Provide the following information to the other parties involved in the accident, including the police:
? Name and current residence
? Your vehicle's registration number
? If you are not the owner of said vehicle, give the name and residence of the true owner.
If accident resulted in death, the local police department or the headquarters of the local California Highway Patrol office should be notified without unnecessary delay.
Vehicle code 20002
Under code 20002, the state of California imposes the following duties to a person involved in a collision that results to property damage to other parties:
Stop immediately at the sight of the accident without causing more traffic.
Provide your name and current residence to the owner of the damaged property.
If the vehicle is not yours, provide the name and residence of the true owner together with your information to the owner of the damaged property.
Show the other parties involved your driver's license and vehicle registration upon request.
Take Action against Hit and Run
Here are some things you can do in the event of a hit and run case:
When involved in a traffic accident, do not argue with the other parties. Just politely exchange information with the other drivers and if needed, notify the police.
If you are a pedestrian, cross at crosswalks and walk at walkways. Do not assume that a car will stop for you.
Drive defensively by always assuming that the other driver does not see you.
If you are a victim of a hit and run, try to get the plate number and a description of how the driver looks. Contact witnesses and report the incident to the police. Do not chase the other driver.
If you are a witness, try to do the same. A plate number, description of the car and driver will help the police in finding the culprit.
There is no particular place that a hit and run is more common than the others. Hit and run is caused by the poor judgment of the driver to leave the scene of the accident and escape his/her responsibilities.
About the author
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