Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Leaving the Scene of an AccidentWilliam R. Moore Focuses on Traffic Criminal Offenses.

The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person must immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the crash or as close thereto as possible and must forthwith return to, and in every event must remain at, the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the general statutory requirements pertaining to giving information and rendering aid.

Many believe that leaving the scene of an accident will result in nothing more than a traffic ticket. The truth is however that a person who violates any of the above provisions commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.

The driver of any vehicle which collides with, or is involved in a crash with, any vehicle or other property which is unattended, resulting in any damage to the other vehicle or property, must immediately stop and must then and there either (1) locate and notify the operator or owner of the vehicle or other property of the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, or (2) attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle or other property a written notice giving the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving. The driver must, in either circumstance, without unnecessary delay, notify the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority.

Attorney Practice Tip: Criminal liability under the statute governing crashes involving property damage requires proof that the accident resulted in property damage; merely leaving the scene of an accident is not a crime.