The Orange County Register recently wrote an article about BISNAR | CHASE's unique program to put hit-and-run drivers on notice. The Register wrote an article about our program to offer rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of hit-and-run drivers. The goal of this program, as I’d told the Register, is to deter hit-and-run drivers from taking off from the accident scene.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
A lot of us know that leaving the scene of an accident is against California law. The law requires us to remain at the scene, wait for authorities to arrive, exchange information with other parties and most importantly, do what we can to help injured victims. It may be something as simple as calling 911.
California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."
Bounty on Hit-and-Run Drivers
One question most of us ask after reading an article or watching the news about a driver fleeing the scene of a car accident or leaving an injured person to die on the roadway is: Why? What drives a person to leave a dying or severely injured person on the roadway? How could that person simply drive away knowing what they've done?
It is certainly fair to assume that there's a moment or a split second of indecision that every hit-and-run driver goes through. They probably wonder if they should stay or leave. What I'm hoping is that drivers will make the decision to stay at the scene knowing that there is a reward out for information about them. This is a unique program where people have the ability to turn in hit-and-run suspects, anonymously, to an agency that is not connected to law enforcement . So the tippers have nothing to lose. This is why hit-and-run drivers should be very scared. There is no question in my mind that hit-and-run is a problem that needs fixing and this program will help accomplish that.
A Step in the Right Direction
I was also reading through most of the comments posted on the Register's website by those responding to their article. The comments give me the sense that a lot of these people have had it with hit-and-run drivers. Many of them seem to agree that leaving the scene of a car accident is an act of cowardice. Of course, some of them were skeptical although they were appreciative of the program. However, we are optimistic that this website is a good start. It gives car accident victims
hope and puts hit-and-run drivers on notice, by giving the general public an incentive and a secure way to report these drivers. So what are you waiting for? If you see an incident involving a hit-and-run driver, pick up the phone and call 800-6-Hit-N-Run (800-644-8678).
What are some of the things that deter you from reporting a hit-and-run driver? Please share your thoughts with us.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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