Were you in a car accident that didn’t cause injuries in Los Angeles? What should you do in this situation? There are several steps you may want to take. First of all, make sure you do not just leave the scene of the accident. You might also need to call the police and a lawyer.
Dig deeper into the steps you should take after a Los Angeles car accident involving driving under the influence (DUI) right here.
Stay at the Scene of an Accident in Los Angeles
You are legally obligated to stay at the scene of an accident in Los Angeles, including minor accidents that don’t leave you with an injury. According to California Vehicle Code Section 20002 you have to take certain steps immediately after an accident. You must:
- Immediately stop.
- Provide the other driver with your name and address.
You must provide contact information even if you hit a parked vehicle and the other driver is not around. You should write your contact information down in this case and leave it where the other driver can find it. You may face misdemeanor charges if you drive away after an accident. A conviction could result in:
- Fines of up to $1,000.
- Jail time of up to one year.
You can get help on your side if you are accused of a hit and run in Los Angeles. Just reach out to a law firm in California for assistance by calling (310) 896-2724.
Consider Reporting Your Accident to the Police
Drivers in California are legally required to report accidents to the police in many situations. You are supposed to report all accidents that result in injuries, for example. It’s also a good idea to inform the police if it appears the accident caused more than $1,000 in damages.
However, you are not required to report an accident if no one was hurt. Generally, it’s recommended that you report your collision anyway. Both insurance companies and many law firms recommend telling the police after a motor vehicle collision, especially if the other driver seems prepared to blame you for the wreck.
The police may come out to the scene of your accident after you call them. They will assess the scene and file an official report about what happened.
Contact a Lawyer After an Accident without Injuries
You may want to reach out to a law firm in Los Angeles after a car accident without injuries, especially if you were accused of driving under the influence at the time of your collision. You could face legal charges after a DUI accident, even if no one got hurt.
A DUI lawyer in Los Angeles can help you find out what to expect after a DUI accident. Drivers impaired by alcohol are not automatically at-fault for a collision, so your lawyer might attempt to demonstrate that you did not cause the accident. A lawyer may work to show that the other driver caused the crash by:
- Exceeding the speed limit.
- Swerving across lanes of traffic.
- Driving recklessly.
- Ignore traffic signals.
Drivers can still seek compensation from your insurance company, even if they aren’t hurt in a collision. Your lawyer may provide you with information about this situation today.
Penalties for DUI Accidents in Los Angeles
The court system could charge you with a criminal act if you strike another vehicle while driving under the influence. If no one is hurt, you might face general DUI charges. A basic DUI offense in Los Angeles may result in:
- Jail time of up to six months.
- Expensive court fines.
- Time in DUI school.
- The use of an ignition interlock device (IID).
A DUI lawyer can help you handle these charges. Your lawyer could work to show that you were not impaired at the time of the collision. You may also want to get legal help on your side if someone was hurt in a DUI accident since this could result in more serious charges in Los Angeles.
Review What to Do if You Get in a Car Accident without Injuries
What do you do if you get in a car accident without injuries in Los Angeles? Make sure that you stop at the scene of the accident. You may also want to contact the police and a lawyer. Get assistance if you were accused of being in an accident while impaired by alcohol. Just call (310) 896-2724 or fill out our online contact form. A Los Angeles DUI lawyer could help you today.
Speak with a member of our team now for a free consultation.
