Vehicle Code § 20004 – Duty to Report Accidents Resulting in Death
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Vehicle Code § 20004 – Duty to Report Accidents Resulting in Death
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. )
20004.
In the event of death of any person resulting from an accident, the driver of any vehicle involved after fulfilling the requirements of this division, and if there be no traffic or police officer at the scene of the accident to whom to give the information required by Section 20003, shall, without delay, report the accident to the nearest office of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or office of a duly authorized police authority and submit with the report the information required by Section 20003.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
California Law Summary
If a driver is involved in an accident that results in a person’s death, and no law enforcement officer is present at the scene, the driver is legally required to immediately report the incident to the nearest California Highway Patrol office or local police department.
Purpose
To ensure that fatalities from vehicle accidents are promptly reported and investigated, even when authorities are not initially on-site.
Application
In fatal car accident claims such as wrongful death suits this code reinforces a driver’s duty to responsibly report the incident. Failure to comply can be used to demonstrate potential negligence or a disregard for legal obligations.
