Vehicle Code § 20003 – Duty to Provide Information and Render Aid
Free Consultation Request
Vehicle Code § 20003 – Duty to Provide Information and Render Aid
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. )
20003.
(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall also give his or her name, current residence address, the names and current residence addresses of any occupant of the driver’s vehicle injured in the accident, the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, and the name and current residence address of the owner to the person struck or the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, and shall give the information to any traffic or police officer at the scene of the accident. The driver also shall render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including transporting, or making arrangements for transporting, any injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if that transportation is requested by any injured person.
(b) Any driver or injured occupant of a driver’s vehicle subject to the provisions of subdivision (a) shall also, upon being requested, exhibit his or her driver’s license, if available, or, in the case of an injured occupant, any other available identification, to the person struck or to the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, and to any traffic or police officer at the scene of the accident.
(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1247, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1995.)
California Law Summary
This law applies when a driver is involved in a traffic accident that results in injury or death. It requires the driver to stop and provide their name, current residence address, vehicle registration number, and the name and address of the vehicle’s owner (if different) to the other party involved and to law enforcement. Additionally, the driver must render reasonable assistance to any injured person, which includes helping secure medical aid or transporting them if necessary.
Purpose
To promote accountability and immediate care for injured individuals at accident scenes, and to assist emergency response efforts.
Application
Compliance with this statute is crucial in injury cases. Failure to render aid or provide required information may be used as evidence of negligence or even criminal behavior in both civil and criminal proceedings.
