Any road crash happens in a flash and is a traumatic experience for any individual. The intensity of the shock of the moment prevents us from thinking clearly, leaving us all shaken up. When involved in an accident, individuals surprisingly tend not to stop and leave the site of the mishap as soon as possible. They fail to realize that it is a criminal offense to do so. This can make the bad situation even worse. You can get a free consultation with an attorney regarding the legal proceedings to be followed in case of an accident.
We will be discussing a few points that will highlight the shortcomings of leaving the site of an accident without any action.
Missing Out On Serious Injuries
When you leave the site of an accident, which may or may not have been due to your fault, you may put someone’s life in danger. There may be a person seriously injured in the accident. Leaving him there may even cost his life. It is lawfully illegal to leave the site of the mishap. You must check for injuries and report the incident. Hence, it is your duty towards humanity to stop your vehicle. You must take the injured person to any hospital nearby, which may save his life. You are required to move your vehicle off the road under the same law that requires you to stop after a crash.
An Unlimited Fine And/Or Prison As A Penalty
If you do not stop after an accident, you may be entitled to huge penalties. There might be an unlimited fine. You may also be imprisoned for up to 6 months. A hit and run case results in a misdemeanor if there is only property damage. At the same time, it may result in a felony if the result of the crash is someone getting injured. The previous case is punishable by up to 180 days in prison. The felony hit and run case can lead to imprisonment for up to 3 years. Both the cases come with cash penalties of up to $10,000. It may also lead to your driving license getting suspended.
Not Contacting An Attorney
Most individuals do not bother contacting an attorney after any case of an accident. This is a huge mistake. It is really important to contact a lawyer who will guide you throughout the legal proceedings after the case of the accident. He can help you make every aspect of the aftermath of a collision easier to handle. He has an in-depth knowledge of the law and will help you gather evidence of the accident. Any car accident lawyer at Kazl law San Diego will ensure that you receive the maximum compensation. He will do all the legwork and prepare all the documentary work for you. He will prepare a settlement demand letter and negotiate an insurance settlement with the insurance company. With all the gathered evidence, he will help you prove the opposition party guilty and keep you out of troubled waters.
Failing To Gather Evidence
Once you leave the site of an accident immediately, you fail to gather important evidence about the accident, which can be presented as your defense during the law proceedings. You must gather evidence in the form of photos or videos, or CCTV footage. You should also take down the names and contact details of the witnesses at the scene.
Conclusion
Any accident takes place in a flash, and it is important that you do not speed away from the site of its occurrence. You risk the lives of the injured people by doing so. Failing to hire an attorney, we miss out on legal advantages and also miss out on any evidence. You must positively stay back after any accident, even if the fault is not yours.
