Hit and Run Accident Lawyers in Salinas, CA
Suppose the driver who caused your accident fled the scene. In that case, you might be confused about your legal rights and options for recovering compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. An experienced lawyer can explain your legal options and how to pursue compensation for your losses.
The auto accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims recover compensation after they were injured due to the negligence of others. We can discuss how we can help during a free case review. Contact us today to get started.
California Legal Requirements After an Accident
California law sets out the legal responsibilities of drivers involved in accidents. For accidents involving only property damage, drivers must do the following:
- Stop their vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or jeopardize the safety of others
- Provide their name and address to the other driver
- Provide the name and address of the vehicle owner to the other driver
- Show their driver’s license and vehicle registration if requested
If the accident involves injury or death, drivers must do everything listed above and the following:
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the accident
- Give their driver’s license number, registration number, and other information to any police officer who responded to the scene
- Report the accident to the nearest Department of the California Highway Patrol office or police department if the accident involved death and no police officer responded to the scene
Drivers are also required to provide a written report of the accident to the DMV within ten days of the accident.
What Is a Hit and Run?
A hit-and-run occurs when drivers fail to follow the abovementioned steps. If the accident only involved property damage, the fleeing driver can be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or state prison and a $1,000 to $10,000 fine. If the accident involved injury or death, the fleeing driver could be charged with a felony, facing up to four years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Common Causes of Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run crashes often occur because the at-fault driver knows they have done something wrong or could get in legal trouble. These drivers may:
- Be drunk
- Be uninsured
- Have a warrant against them
- Be joyriding
- Be undocumented
Contact Our Law Firm Today
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact Allen Law Firm to discuss your situation during a free, no-obligation case review.