State legislators in California are deliberating over a bill that would penalize someone at fault in a non-injury hit-and-run situation.
According to a news report on West Side Today, Assembly Bill 1532 would create a penalty for a driver who strikes a person and flees the scene without stopping, even if the person struck is not injured.
Under the proposed bill, a driver who is caught and convicted of a non-injury hit-and-run case would
lose his or her license for six months and have a misdemeanor on his or her record.
AB 1532 aims to “decrease the number of hit-and-run incidents and require at minimum that drivers stop and assess the damages.”
Under current California law, a person responsible for hit-and-run would be held liable in one of three instances: when the hit-and-run results in injury, property damage, or death.
AB 1532 would generally apply when a driver flees the scene after striking a passenger or bicyclist but does not injure them.
The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Michael Gatto in Sacramento. The bill has also received the support of the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has gained notoriety as the “hit-and-run capital of the world.”
Recent reports have revealed that nearly half of all fatal traffic accidents in Los Angeles involve a hit-and-run driver.
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal for a motorist to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash. Drivers are also required to stop right away, remain at the scene and exchange pertinent information with other parties.
Most importantly, drivers are required to render aid to the injured victims at the scene.
Holding Hit-and-Run Drivers Accountable
These types of laws will hopefully help deter drivers from leaving the scene of a crash – whether or not there is a serious injury or fatality.
California law requires all drivers to stop immediately and remain at the scene of a crash – regardless of whether injuries have been suffered. Stopping after an accident is not just a legal obligation, but a moral responsibility.
Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys has a Hit-and-Run Reward Program in place to help put drivers who leave the scene on notice and get the community involved in helping law enforcement officials apprehend hit-and-run drivers.
Under our program, anyone who has information leading to the arrest and felony conviction of a hit-and-run driver will be eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.
This program is our way of working with the community and law enforcement agencies to put an end to the hit-and-run epidemic in our region and the state of California.