California Hit-and-Run Laws: Duties and Penalties

What’s Considered a Hit-and-Run in California? Your Duties, Penalties, and Next Steps After a Crash

California’s roads see millions of trips every day, and with that traffic inevitably come collisions. Preventing crashes should always be the first priority. But when a collision does happen, the law is equally clear about what every driver must do afterward. Failing to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who is hurt can lead to hit-and-run charges—even if you did not cause the accident.

This article explains California’s hit-and-run laws, the penalties for leaving the scene, and the practical steps you should take to protect your health, your legal rights, and your claim. It also covers how insurance—including uninsured motorist coverage—can apply, and what to do if the at-fault driver flees.

This is general information and not legal advice. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult an attorney.


What Is a Hit-and-Run in California?

California law defines hit-and-run based on what a driver does after a collision, not who caused it. You can be charged with hit-and-run even if you were not at fault for the crash, as long as you fail to stop and fulfill your legal duties.

• Injury or death: California Vehicle Code (CVC) section 20001 requires any driver involved in a crash that results in injury or death to immediately stop at the scene and take specific actions described below.  
• Property damage only: CVC section 20002 covers collisions that cause only property damage. Drivers still must stop, locate the owner, and exchange information or leave a written notice and report the incident to law enforcement when appropriate.

Critically, the duty to stop applies to drivers who collide with other vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, or even stationary property such as parked cars, fences, or mailboxes.


Your Legal Duties After a Collision

California’s Vehicle Code lays out your responsibilities after a crash:

1) Stop Immediately  
  • You must pull over at the scene (or as close as possible) without obstructing traffic more than necessary and remain there until you have fulfilled your duties.

2) Render Reasonable Aid  
  • If anyone is injured, you must provide reasonable assistance. In most cases, this means calling 911 for medical help. If necessary and safe, you may transport an injured person to receive medical care.

3) Exchange Information  
  • Under CVC section 20003 for injury or death cases, you must provide:  
    – Your name and current residence address  
    – The names and current residence addresses of any injured occupants in your vehicle  
    – The vehicle’s registration number  
    – The name and current address of the vehicle’s owner (if different from the driver)  
  • You must share this information with the person struck, the driver or occupants of any other vehicle involved, and any responding police officer.

4) Report Fatal Accidents  
  • CVC section 20004 requires drivers involved in a fatal crash to immediately report the accident to law enforcement if no officer is present at the scene.

5) Property-Only Collisions with Unattended Property  
  • Under CVC section 20002, if you hit a parked car or other unattended property, you must make reasonable efforts to locate the owner. If you can’t, you must leave a note with your contact information and report the incident to law enforcement when required.

Completing these steps typically protects drivers from hit-and-run charges—even if fault for the crash later becomes disputed.


Penalties for Hit-and-Run in California

Penalties depend on whether there were injuries or only property damage:

• Property damage only (CVC 20002): Usually charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines, possible jail time, restitution, and points on your driving record.  
• Injury or death (CVC 20001):  
 – Misdemeanor: For injury cases without permanent serious injury, penalties can include up to one year in county jail and fines between $1,000 and $10,000, along with restitution and court fees.  
 – Felony: If the crash involves death or permanent, serious injury, prison time can range from two to four years and fines can reach $10,000; in some scenarios, both jail/prison and fines apply.

Additional consequences may include driver’s license suspension or revocation, increased insurance premiums, mandatory restitution to victims, and a permanent criminal record. Remember: the offense is leaving the scene or failing to provide required assistance and information—not whether you caused the crash.


Civil Consequences: Liability, Insurance, and Restitution

Separate from any criminal charges, a driver who flees can face civil liability for injuries and damages. Victims may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)  
• Lost earnings and diminished earning capacity  
• Pain and suffering  
• Property damage  
• Rehabilitation and long-term care  
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Insurance carriers typically treat fleeing the scene as a serious violation, which may affect coverage and future premiums. For victims, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can be critical when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or is uninsured.

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At Avian Law Group, we know that the aftermath of a hit-and-run can leave victims feeling helpless and frustrated. One moment, you’re simply driving, walking, or cycling — and the next, you’re left injured, shaken, and searching for answers while the responsible driver flees the scene. California law is clear: leaving the scene of an accident is not just unethical, it’s a serious crime. Yet, despite strict penalties, thousands of hit-and-run incidents occur across the state each year, leaving countless victims without immediate accountability.

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Understanding your rights after a hit-and-run is critical. Whether the collision resulted in property damage, serious injuries, or the tragic loss of life, victims still have legal options — even when the at-fault driver hasn’t been identified. At Avian Law Group, our attorneys are experienced in handling complex hit-and-run cases, working alongside law enforcement, investigators, and insurance companies to uncover the truth, locate responsible parties, and ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.

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Our firm takes pride in helping clients navigate these difficult situations. We pursue every available avenue — from uninsured motorist coverage and surveillance evidence to eyewitness accounts and vehicle tracing — to hold negligent drivers accountable. And when accountability isn’t immediately possible, we fight to make sure victims and their families aren’t left to carry the burden alone.

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We believe that safety, responsibility, and justice must go hand in hand. A hit-and-run is not just an accident — it’s an act that leaves deep emotional and financial scars. Victims deserve support, compassion, and a firm willing to stand up for their rights.

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If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run crash anywhere in California, contact Avian Law Group today for a free and confidential consultation. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to review your case, explain your options, and begin the process of seeking justice and recovery.

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At Avian Law Group, we don’t just represent victims — we advocate for safer roads, stronger accountability, and communities where no one is left behind.