Vehicle Code § 20002 – Misdemeanor Hit and Run (Property Damage Only)
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Vehicle Code § 20002 – Misdemeanor Hit and Run (Property Damage Only)
California Law
Vehicle Code – VEH
DIVISION 10. ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS [20000 – 20018]
( Division 10 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )
CHAPTER 1. Accidents and Accident Reports [20000 – 20018]
( Heading of Chapter 1 added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 281, Sec. 2. )
20002.
(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to any property, including vehicles, shall immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists. Moving the vehicle in accordance with this subdivision does not affect the question of fault. The driver shall also immediately do either of the following:
(1) Locate and notify the owner or person in charge of that property of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle involved and, upon locating the driver of any other vehicle involved or the owner or person in charge of any damaged property, upon being requested, present his or her driver’s license, and vehicle registration, to the other driver, property owner, or person in charge of that property. The information presented shall include the current residence address of the driver and of the registered owner. If the registered owner of an involved vehicle is present at the scene, he or she shall also, upon request, present his or her driver’s license information, if available, or other valid identification to the other involved parties.
(2) Leave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property damaged a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle involved and a statement of the circumstances thereof and shall without unnecessary delay notify the police department of the city wherein the collision occurred or, if the collision occurred in unincorporated territory, the local headquarters of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(b) Any person who parks a vehicle which, prior to the vehicle again being driven, becomes a runaway vehicle and is involved in an accident resulting in damage to any property, attended or unattended, shall comply with the requirements of this section relating to notification and reporting and shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to the penalties of this section for failure to comply with the requirements.
(c) Any person failing to comply with all the requirements of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 825, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2002.)
California Law Summary
This law requires any driver involved in an accident that causes only property damage such as damage to another vehicle, a fence, or other structures to stop immediately at the scene. The driver must provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number to the owner of the damaged property. If the property owner is not present, the driver must leave this information in a visible location and report the accident to law enforcement without unnecessary delay.
Purpose
To ensure accountability in minor accidents and give property owners the opportunity to pursue compensation or repair costs.
Application
While this section applies specifically to property damage, failure to follow this law can indicate a pattern of negligence or irresponsibility, which might be considered in broader personal injury investigations or disputes.
