How Hit & Run Law Works in Real Life

If you've been involved in a vehicle accident (regardless of fault) in Los Angeles you are obligated by law to stop and exchange driver's license, insurance and contact information with the other party. You are also obligated to offer reasonable assistance if there is an injury by any other party involved in the accident. If this happened to you, you're not alone. It happens frequently and causes a great amount of stress and panic in all those involved, which sometimes is the reason people leave. If you made the mistake of leaving the scene of an accident a Los Angeles hit and run attorney can help you take steps to minimize the consequences of not complying with legal requirements.

What California Law Requires

State law covering hit and run accidents includes California Vehicle Code Sections 20001 and 20002, which can either be a misdemeanor or a felony.

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to any property…shall immediately stop the vehicle…The driver shall also immediately do either of the following… present his or her driver's license, and vehicle registration, to the other driver, property owner, or person in charge of that property….(or) Leave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property damaged a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and…a statement of the circumstances thereof and shall without unnecessary delay notify the police…

California law is similar when the accident causes an injury. Information needs to be given to the other driver as well as to any police officer at the scene. You would also need to give "reasonable assistance" to any person injured in the accident if it's apparent that treatment is necessary or help with transportation if it's requested by someone who's injured.

Though this is the law, none of our clients complied with it and perhaps you didn't either. You may have felt leaving the scene was reasonable and the right thing to do under the circumstances. To help you deal with the consequences you should retain a hit and run attorney in Los Angeles.

What We can do to Help

The most important thing we can do to help is to prevent our clients from making further mistakes like making incorrect statements to the police which can do further damage to your pending hit and run investigation. After contacting our office we'll get your side of the story and contact the police to learn more about the accident. We let the police know you're coming forward to do the right thing and take responsibility. This puts you in a position where the legal issues can be addressed while reducing the chances of charges being filed against you or minimizing potential consequences should the case be filed in court.

You may not think coming forward will help you, but in cases where property damage occurred or minor injuries were suffered, the over-worked and under-resourced police will appreciate the fact you're cooperative. You're one less driver they need to track down.

As a hit and run attorney in Los Angeles I assure the police investigator that our client is willing to be 100% cooperative and willing to take responsibility for compensating them (usually through insurance) for any damages or medical bills they may have incurred. This normally resolves what can be a stressful situation. The other party typically just wants their car fixed and an apology and generally doesn't want to take time out of their busy schedule for a court case. The most important tool is cooperation.

There are too many hit and run accidents for the resources for the police department to deal with. Being cooperative is a major step towards avoiding charges being filed against you. By acting in a kindly manner as soon as possible after the accident can help to resolve these issues in the most favorable light to our client.

Hiring an Experienced Hit and Run Specialist

The most important step you can take after being involved in a hit and run accident is to consult with an experienced Los Angeles hit and run lawyer to protect your rights and explain your situation, putting you in the most favorable light possible. Our offices are conveniently located in both Los Angeles and San Diego, however, we represent clients in courts throughout California. Call us today and take advantage of our free phone or office consultation. At this consultation you will learn all of your options to make the best decision for you.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I can't begin to thank Mr. Hoffman enough for his extensive efforts throughout the entire case. He went absolutely above and beyond throughout the entire process. From day one he was immediately actively pursuing ways to prevent my case from ever going to court and once that was no longer an option, actively began working on getting the case ultimately dismissed. His communication was consistent and reassuring, despite my frantic worries all the time... Micaiah Botts
★★★★★
My family and I simply owe our life and future to Ron Hoffman. If you are looking for a lawyer that goes above and beyond the call of duty you can't find a better lawyer than Ron. He took my case head on from the moment I called his office. I was involved in an accidental hit and run where I was unaware of the injury. Every step of the way, Ron guided me through an almost two year long investigation and court settlement process and was constantly by my side through out every crossroad... Bill Martin
★★★★★
Ron Hoffman and his staff were Fantastic when dealing with such a serious issue of DUI. When I first Called Ron I was very nervous and worried for my daughter and her freedom. She had a failure to appear on top of her DUI and I knew just how bad this could be. Ron was able to immediately put me at ease and gave me the confidence that there was hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. Ron was able to get the failure to appear dismissed and also no jail time for my daughter... Claude Brown
★★★★★
I have been working with Mr. Hoffman for over 11 years. I have seen first hand his genuine dedication to his clients, and how his experience, knowledge and passion have gotten clients fantastic results. He treats each of his clients as his only client, and takes the time to develop detailed strategies and defenses for each individual case. I have never hesitated to refer Mr. Hoffman to anyone who has asked me for a good Criminal Defense attorney. He is a fantastic attorney!... Neeta P.
★★★★★
I had a DUI issue recently. I have never had a problem with the law as serious as this one. I did panic a bit after and knew I had to get a lawyer to help my future. I researched the Web and read the reviews for awesome DUI Lawyers. Hiring a lawyer can be intimidating. Ron's 30 years experience and step by step guidance helped me with my case. Jonie was amazing with keeping me calm. Ron Hoffman is a great lawyer and I would refer any friends or family to him... Manuel Gomez
★★★★★
Ron was so accommodating and professional. With a Firm like his you wouldn't expect him to be as accessible, but he immediately returned phone calls, was easy to communicate with and was very sympathetic to my situation. He went above and beyond and was able to get a better result than I'd hoped or expected. I highly recommend Ron Hoffman and his firm. He made a difficult and anxiety fueled process bearable and made me feel safe. He is a lovely man. One does not wish to need a criminal attorney, but if you do need one, Ron's the guy to call... Teri A.
★★★★★
Ron and his team were the perfect pairing for what I needed taken care of. Every step of the way he was extremely helpful and informative (not his first rodeo). His work ethic and attitude were exemplary and it showed with the results of using his services. I would recommend anyone I know to give Ron a call if they need help in his realm of expertise. Many thanks Ron and associates!... Donald N.
★★★★★
I didn't hire a lawyer for my first DUI... What a mistake! Ronald goes above and beyond with his art and knowledge of custom strategy according to your case. lawyer of the year (every year)... Adam R.
★★★★★
I hate lawyers. They are hard to get a hold of, greedy and unreliable. Ron is the opposite of all these things. He deserves 6 stars, and I very much recommend him. He helped me through my case with nothing but kindness, understanding, and knowledge and eventually got it dropped. Thanks for everything Ron!... Avi Z.