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Hit & Run Los Angeles Lawyers

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People often make serious mistakes not only during an accident, but afterwards as well—especially if they leave the scene, known as a hit and run. It’s important to understand that an incident like this can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, which can bring serious consequences: hefty court fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time in Los Angeles County or state prison.

California’s Vehicle Code, specifically Section 20002(a) VC, clearly states that leaving the scene of an accident is illegal. Under this law, any driver involved in an accident must stop, locate the owner of the damaged vehicle or property, and exchange required documentation. If the driver cannot locate the owner, they are required to:

Leave a visible note on the damaged property with their name, phone number, and accident details.
Report to the police so an official report can be made.
In more serious situations—such as accidents involving severe injuries or death—the driver must immediately report the incident to the nearest police station or to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

To help avoid complications and ensure you handle this situation correctly, we have provided some key recommendations below. Remember, how you deal with the aftermath of a hit and run can make a big difference in your legal outcome.

We understand how overwhelming it can be to be involved in a traffic accident—especially if you don’t have a valid license, have a suspended license, have a possible arrest warrant, are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or have any criminal history.

The most important thing is to stay calm and remember: these situations are more common than you might think and can happen to anyone. Even though you know you should stop and exchange information, fear and anxiety can override common sense in a moment.

However, in California, leaving the accident scene is a serious crime with potentially severe penalties. That’s why we always advise our clients to stay calm and not flee, because things can get much worse very quickly.

Our criminal defense attorneys aggressively defend clients facing hit and run charges—or cases of hitting and fleeing the accident scene—in Los Angeles County and across Southern California. Progresso Legal Group is ready to assist you in the best possible way in your hit and run process!

At Progresso Legal Group, We Recommend These Steps to All Our Clients

Remember that California’s hit and run laws require all drivers, without exception, who are involved in any automobile accident to stop immediately and exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver—regardless of who’s at fault. Failing to do so can result in misdemeanor or felony hit and run charges.

Hit and run accidents often involve more than one vehicle—sometimes multiple vehicles—or damage to property, another car, or a person. Here are some examples of hit and run cases we frequently handle:

Driver hits a telephone pole, damaging property
Driver hits a parked car, causing property damage
Driver hits a wall, causing property damage
Driver hits a pedestrian, bicyclist, or runner, causing serious injury or death
Driver collides with another vehicle, causing minor or serious injuries, or death

Understanding the Severity of Hit & Run Crimes

The level of crime in a hit and run case depends on how severe the accident is, the circumstances, and the extent of damage. Generally, if there are no injuries, the hit and run will likely be classified as a misdemeanor. A key factor in determining the severity of charges is how bad the injuries are.

Misdemeanor Charges

If the accident results in minor injuries—such as neck pain, back pain, or soft tissue injuries—misdemeanor hit and run charges may be filed. For example, a driver fleeing the scene of a minor crash where the other party complains of neck pain could face misdemeanor hit and run charges.

Felony Charges

If the accident results in serious injuries—fractures, injuries requiring long rehabilitation—or death, felony hit and run charges are more likely. For example, if a driver hits a pedestrian and causes a broken leg, that could be a felony hit and run.

Many drivers flee the scene because they are afraid of being arrested for other offenses. When charged with hit and run, they often face multiple other charges like:

No matter the circumstances—whether you were recently arrested or are facing a criminal case—we are here to serve and guide you every step of the way. At Progresso Legal Group, we are your trusted attorneys, serving families for over 25 years in criminal cases in the City and County of Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

DO NOT SPEAK TO THE POLICE IN HIT & RUN CASES

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for hit and run cases; everything depends on your specific situation. Generally, it’s not advisable to go to the police without knowing all the facts of the accident—even if you feel guilty.

If you left the scene without exchanging information or contacting an attorney, do not call the police on your own. Once we notify the police, they generally will not come to your home or workplace.

If the police contact you, it’s critical that you make no statement without first consulting a criminal defense attorney. This is important to protect your constitutional rights, such as the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Never give statements to police or insurance companies without speaking to a lawyer experienced in these matters.

If the police confiscated your vehicle as evidence in a hit and run case, having an expert defense attorney can speed up getting your vehicle released. Note: your vehicle will not be released until you present a statement of facts, proof of identity, and valid insurance.

If you receive a letter from the police or a court notice stating a case has been filed against you, consult an attorney immediately.

Were You Involved in a Hit & Run and Left the Scene? We Can Help

If you’ve been involved in an accident—whether it was your fault or not—and you left the scene without exchanging license and insurance information, don’t worry. We can help represent you in the best possible way, as we have for hundreds of our clients in hit and run cases.

We are Progresso Legal Group, your attorneys in the City and County of Los Angeles. Contact us today to schedule an in-person consultation with our attorneys and our legal team specialized in hit and run cases. Free consultations available!

WE HAVE BEEN SERVING HISPANIC FAMILIES WITH THEIR LEGAL PROCESSES FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

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