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Question: What is the punishment for leaving the scene of a car accident?

Answer: Under Arizona Law (ARS §28-663), the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle that has a person in it shall:

1. Give the driver's name and address and the registration number of the vehicle that the driver is driving

2. On request, show the person's driver's license to the person struck or the driver of the vehicle collided with

3. Render reasonable assistance to a person injured in the accident, including making arrangements for getting the person to a physician or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that the treatment is necessary or if the injured person requests it.

A person who fails to comply with these requirements (of ARS §28-663) is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Under Arizona Law (ARS §28-661), a driver of a vehicle, involved in an accident that results in injury to or death of a person, must:

1. Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the accident scene as possible, but shall immediately return to the accident scene.

2. Remain at the accident scene until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of ARS §28-663 (see above).

A driver is guilty of a Class 4 felony is he is involved in an accident that results in death or serious physical injury and he does not stop or comply with these requirements. Note that if the driver caused the accident, he is guilty of a Class 3 felony.

A driver is guilty of a Class 6 felony if he is involved in an accident that results in injury, but not death or a serious physical injury, and fails to stop or comply with the requirements of ARS §28-663 (see above).

Under Arizona Law (ARS §28-662), a driver of a vehicle, involved in an accident that only results to damage to a vehicle driven, must:

1. Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the accident scene as possible, but shall immediately return to the accident scene.

2. Remain at the accident scene until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of ARS §28-663.

3. Make the stop without obstructing traffic any more than necessary

A person is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor if he fails to stop or comply with ARS §28-662.


Comments
6 thru 10 of 12 comments
On 07/07/05
Carla from MN said:
My boyfriend was recently in an accident. He fell asleep and hit a parked car on the side of the road (the car was there for a few days) and he kept driving, his car stopped and then he ran. The search and rescue teams was out looking for him and so was a helicopter. They said they'd just charge him with fleeing the scene. What happens when you are charged with this?
On 05/19/05
tc from WI said:
My boyfriend was rearended at a stop sign by one of his friends, on the way home from the bar less than a mile away from home. She and her boyfriend were coming over to our place so my boyfriend continued to drive home and they followed for a short while but her headlights were out so she pulled over and the cops stopped her. She told them she hit my boyfriend and they came and arrested him for fleeing the scene of an accident. He just figured since they both were drinking that to just to come back to the house was the best idea, since they were going there anyways and everyone wasn't hurt. I
On 05/17/05
Pat from NY said:
can a justice dismiss a charge of leaving the scene of a accident with injuries
On 12/16/03
Tee from WV said:
I totalled my car, and left it at the scene. No one was injured, and I claimed the car the next morning. I was charged with fleeing the scene. What is possible punishment for my crime? Tee
On 11/06/03
tammy from TN said:
i was running late for work and i missed my turn ran into the barn that no damage was dome, besides a broken piece of glass. I was scared afaraid i was to be late fgor work. so i left i couldnt find my phone tilll i goty to work where i did call it in to 911 and we meet the next day he gave me a tivkety fort leaving the scenr of an accident and not immidiately repoting the crash. i called in 30 minutues later when my phone was found.
6 thru 10 of 12 comments



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