California Hit & Run Law Firm

Hit and Run FAQs –California Vehicle Code Section 20001-20002

What can an attorney do to attempt to reduce a felony hit and run charge?

An experienced hit and run attorney would try to have the charges dismissed. If that is not successful the attorney can attempt to negotiate a plea reduction which can result in a positive outcome in your case.

What if I felt like the accident was the other driver’s fault, do I have to render reasonable assistance?

The law requires for a driver to render reasonable assistance if anyone else is injured. It does not matter that you believe the other person is at fault. If you fail to give reasonable assistance to another person who is injured, you may incur a hit and run charge for failure to perform a required duty.

What if other people are already helping the other driver?

The defendant is not required to provide assistance to the injured person if it was not necessary in light of aid provided by others. If paramedics immediately arrived at the scene of the accident and provided assistance to the injured person, the defendant does not need to provide any assistance. However, the driver at a minimum must first ascertain what assistance the injured person needs, and then the driver must make a reasonable effort to see that such assistance is provided. The presence of bystanders who offer assistance is not alone sufficient to relieve the defendant of the duty to render aid.

What information must I give to the police officer and the other driver?

The defendant must give the police officer at the scene of the accident the following:

• The defendant’s name and current residence address
• The registration number of the vehicle he or she was driving
• If the defendant did not own the car, the defendant must also give the name and current residence address of the owner of the vehicle.
• If the occupants of the defendant’s vehicle were injured, the defendant must also give the names and current residence addresses of any occupants who were injured in the accident.
• The defendant must also show, when requested, his or her driver’s license to the police officer or any other driver or occupants of any vehicle involved in the collision.
• If the accident caused a death, the driver must, without unnecessary delay, notify the police department of the city where the accident happened.