Redding Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
- Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Redding
- Dangerous Intersections in Redding
- Frequent Causes of Collisions in Redding
- Getting Legal Assistance for a Redding Car Accident
- Hit-and-Run Laws in California
- California Vehicle Code § 20002 Definition of Hit-and-Run
- Possible Hit-and-Run Defenses
- Related Criminal Offenses to Hit-and-Run Charges
- Felony Hit-and-Run, California Vehicle Code § 20001
- California Jury Instructions for Felony Hit-and-Run Offenses
- How Do Police Officers Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?
- Attorneys Will Fight to Get You Fair and Full Compensation
- Can I Afford a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney?
- Legal Work Our Firm Will Handle
Redding Hit and Run Accident Attorneys Turning Injured Victims Into Victors
The Shasta Cascade is a region of California in the northern and northeastern sections of the state on the border of Oregon and Nevada. Redding is the county seat of Shasta County. This area includes parts of both the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
According to the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 93,611, with 82.4 percent of residents being white, 10.9 percent being Hispanic or Latino, 6.4 percent being two or more races, 4.7 percent being Asian, 2.6 percent being American Indian and Alaska natives, 1.4 percent being Black or African-American. The population was 51.7 percent female, with 19.3 percent being 65 years of age or older, 22.3 percent being under 18 years of age, and 6.0 percent being under 5 years of age.
The Shasta Economic Development Corporation reported that a Walton Family Foundation (WFF) and Heartland Forward study entitled “Most Dynamic Metropolitans” found that the Redding Area was the 29th most dynamic metropolitan area in the country. A City of Redding comprehensive annual financial report showed that the top 10 employers in Redding were Mercy Medical Center with 1,832 employees, Shasta County with 1,750 employees, the City of Redding with 1,129 employees, Shasta Regional Medical Center with 856 employees, the California Transportation Department with 663 employees, Redding Rancheria with 523 employees, Wal-Mart with 450 employees, the Shasta Union High School District with 406 employees, Shasta College with 352 employees, and Blue Shield of California with 330 employees.
If you or your loved one suffer severe injuries in a hit-and-run accident in the greater Redding area or a surrounding community in Shasta County, you will want to work with an experienced Redding hit-and-run accident attorney immediately. You can call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case involving a motor vehicle collision– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Redding
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that in the most recent year, Redding saw 451 people killed or injured in traffic accidents, with the city ranking 18th in the state for speed-related crashes with 102. The city also had 357 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI), 47 crashes being labeled alcohol-involved, with seven crashes involving drinking drivers 21 to 34 years of age and two crashes involving drinking drivers less than 21 years of age.
- DUIs involving drugs or alcohol
- Drivers not having valid driver’s licenses or car insurance
- Drivers currently wanted by the police
- Drivers being in the United States illegally
- Drivers panicking for other reasons
- Cars being stolen
- Drivers with illegal drugs or guns in their possession
- Drivers in company vehicles
KRCR-TV reported that Redding had installed red light cameras at five intersections, and accidents at intersections that already had red light cameras dropped 40 percent while traffic violations dropped 15 percent.
Dangerous Intersections in Redding
KPCR noted in its report that Cypress Avenue and Hilltop Drive were considered a dangerous intersection. The Record Searchlight reported that 11 people were struck in motor vehicle accidents on Churn Creek Road and Hartnell Avenue.
- Cypress Avenue & Bechelli Lane
- Cypress Avenue & Churn Creek Road
- Lake Boulevard & SR 273
- Market Street & Shasta Street
Frequent Causes of Collisions in Redding
- Distracted driving
- DUI offenses
- Driver fatigue or drowsy driving
- Speeding during periods of inclement weather
- Failure to obey basic traffic laws
- Mechanical issues with vehicles
Getting Legal Assistance for a Redding Car Accident
Steps You Can Take
When a negligent driver does not adhere to state law and instead tries to flee the scene, victims will need to take certain steps to help protect their legal rights. You will always give yourself the best chance of achieving justice by working with a Redding hit-and-run accident attorney.
- Write down the make, model, and license plate number of a negligent driver’s vehicle, as well as a description of the driver.
- Contact the local police and your insurance company.
- Stay at the scene as long as it is safe for you to do so.
Hit-and-Run Laws in California
Under California Vehicle Code § 20002, any person driving a motor vehicle involved in an accident causing injury or death to another person has a duty to immediately stop their vehicle at the scene of an accident and fulfill the requirements of California Vehicle Code § 20003 and California Vehicle Code § 20004. The law applies whether a driver is involved in an accident causing only property damage, injury, or death.
- Locate and notify either an owner or person in charge of the damaged property of the name and address of a driver and owner of a vehicle involved and, after locating the driver of any other motor vehicle involved or the owner or individual in charge of any other kind of damaged property, and upon request, present their driver’s license and vehicle registration, to another driver, property owner, or person in charge of the property. The information presented must include the current residence address of the driver and the registered owner. When a registered owner of an involved vehicle happens to be present at the scene, they must also, upon request, present their driver’s license information or other valid identification to all other involved parties.
- Leave a written notice on a motor vehicle or damaged property that gives the name and address of a driver and the owner of a vehicle involved and a statement of the circumstances involved and must, without delay, notify a police department of the city where a collision occurred or if a collision occurs in an unincorporated territory, a Department of the California Highway Patrol local headquarters.
Prohibitions Under California Vehicle Code § 20002
- A driver leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident
- A negligent driver failing to identify themselves to other involved parties
- Damage occurring to another party’s property
California Vehicle Code § 20002 Definition of Hit-and-Run
- While driving, the alleged offender was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
- The accident caused damage to another party’s property.
- The alleged offender knew that they were involved in an accident causing property damage, injury, or death.
- The alleged offender willfully failed to stop at the scene of an accident or provide an owner or person in control of damaged property with their name and current residence address.
California Vehicle Code § 20002 Penalties
Possible Hit-and-Run Defenses
- A driver did not realize an accident had occurred – Certain collisions may have been so minor that a driver did not realize an accident occurred. In such cases, drivers can argue that they had no knowledge they left the scene of an accident and failed to leave identifying information.
- No damage occurred – Perhaps a driver knows that they were involved in a traffic accident but concluded that the incident did not cause any damage. In such cases, a driver can argue that they did not have a duty to notify another party about the accident since there was no damage.
- Damage only occurred to the driver’s car – There can be many cases in which drivers believe the only damage in a car accident was to their own vehicle and not to another party’s property. The driver can again argue that they did not have an obligation to report the accident to another party since they did not see any other damage.
Related Criminal Offenses to Hit-and-Run Charges
Driving without a License, California Vehicle Code § 12500
California Vehicle Code § 12500 makes it a crime for a person to drive without a valid driver’s license. This kind of offense is called a wobbler, which means that it can be charged as a misdemeanor or an infraction.
California Jury Instructions for Driving without a License Offenses
- The alleged offender drove a motor vehicle on a highway; and
- When the alleged offender drove, they did not hold a valid California driver’s license
DUI, California Vehicle Code § 23152
California Vehicle Code § 23152 makes it illegal for a person who is under the influence of alcohol to drive a vehicle, any person who has 0.08 percent or more of alcohol in their blood to drive a vehicle, for a person addicted to the use of any drug to drive a vehicle, for a person who has 0.04 percent or more of alcohol in their blood to drive a commercial motor vehicle, for any person under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle, and for any person under the combined influence of alcohol and a drug to drive a vehicle.
- First DUI offense in 10 years – Three to five years of summary probation when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is less than 0.15 percent, three months or 30 hours of DUI school when BAC is 0.15 percent to 0.19 percent, six months or 60 hours of DUI school when BAC is 0.20 percent or higher, attendance at a Victim Impact Panel, nine months of 90 hours of DUI school, up to $1,000 in fines, six-month driver’s license suspension, and/or up to six months in jail.
- Second DUI in 10 years – Three to five years of summary probation, an 18-month or 30-month DUI school course, up to $1,000 in fines, two-year driver’s license suspension, and/or up to one year in jail.
- Third DUI in 10 years – Three to five years of summary probation, 30-month DUI school course, up to $1,000 in fines, three-year driver’s license suspension, and/or up to one year in county jail.
California Jury Instructions for DUI Offenses
- The defendant drove a vehicle.
AND - When they drove, the alleged offender was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, a drug, or an alcoholic beverage and a drug.
Felony Hit-and-Run, California Vehicle Code § 20001
California Vehicle Code § 20001(a) states that the driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to another person or in the death of a person must immediately stop their vehicle at the scene of an accident and fulfill the requirements of California Vehicle Code § 20003 and California Vehicle Code § 20004. A person who violates California Vehicle Code § 20001(a) can be sentenced to up to one year in state prison or county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
California Jury Instructions for Felony Hit-and-Run Offenses
- While driving, the alleged offender was involved in a vehicle accident.
- The accident caused the death of or permanent, serious injury to another person.
- The alleged offender knew that they had been involved in an accident injuring another person or knew from the nature of the accident that it was probable that another person had suffered an injury.
- The alleged offender willfully failed to perform one or more of the following duties:
- To immediately stop at the scene of the accident
- To provide reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident
- To give to the person struck, the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, or any peace officer at the scene of the accident all of the following information:
- The alleged offender’s name and current residence address
- The registration number of the vehicle they were driving
- The name and current residence address of the owner of the vehicle if the alleged offender is not the owner
- The names and current residence addresses of any occupants of the alleged offender’s vehicle who suffered an injury in the accident
- When requested, to show their driver’s license, if available, to the person struck, the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, or any peace officer at the scene of the accident
- To notify either the police department of the city where the accident happened or the local headquarters of the California Highway Patrol if the accident happened in an unincorporated area.
DUI Causing Injury, California Vehicle Code § 23153
California Vehicle Code § 23153 makes it illegal for a person, while under the influence of alcohol, to drive a vehicle and also perform any act forbidden by law or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving a vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to another person, or while having 0.08 percent or more of alcohol in their blood to drive a vehicle and perform any act forbidden by law, or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving a vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to another person. A victim does not have to be another party outside an alleged offender’s vehicle because they can be a passenger in an alleged offender’s vehicle.
California Jury Instructions for DUI Causing Injury Offenses
- The alleged offender drove a vehicle.
- When they drove, the alleged offender’s blood alcohol level was 0.08 percent or more by weight.
- When the alleged offender was driving with that blood alcohol level, they also committed an illegal act or neglected to perform a legal duty.
- The alleged offender’s illegal act or failure to perform a legal duty caused bodily injury to another person.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Exhibition of Speed, California Vehicle Code 23109(c)
California Vehicle Code § 23109 provides that a person cannot engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway, cannot aid or abet in any speed contest on any highway, and cannot, for the purpose of facilitating or aiding or as an incident to any speed contest or exhibition upon a highway, in any way obstruct or place a barricade or obstruction or assist or participate in placing a barricade or obstruction upon any highway. An Exhibition of Speed can be a common kind of violation that a person pleads guilty to in DUI cases in which the state might lack the evidence necessary to obtain a DUI conviction but still wants some kind of guilty plea.
California Jury Instructions for Exhibition of Speed Offenses
- The alleged offender drove a motor vehicle on a highway.
- While so driving, the alleged offender willfully engaged in an exhibition of speed.
How Do Police Officers Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?
- Conducting interviews with other drivers, passengers, and witnesses to get a detailed description of an alleged offender and their vehicle
- Conducting a thorough search of an accident scene and the surrounding area to locate the alleged offender and their vehicle
- Using surveillance footage recorded by certain establishments in the area to determine information about the vehicle involved
- Examining the vehicles or property struck to use paint left behind or other evidence to determine the alleged offender’s vehicle
Our Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys Will Fight to Get You Fair and Full Compensation
Hit-and-run victims will be dealing with many kinds of financial losses after an accident. They have the right to seek compensation for all of these costs.
- Your past, present, and future medical bills
- Your past, present, and future lost wages
- Any reduced earning potential
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket costs associated with your accident
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Physical disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment in life
Do Not Wait to Take Legal Action
- You lose your right to pursue compensation.
- An alleged offender is absolved of liability.
- You lose the ability to use the threat of a lawsuit as leverage during your settlement negotiations.
- A judge dismisses your case.
If you work with a Redding hit-and-run accident lawyer at Arash Law, founded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., we understand the time limits involved and will work to make sure your case proceeds as necessary. We will immediately be capable of taking steps to achieve a just settlement to your case but will not be afraid to file a lawsuit when necessary to get you all of the compensation you need and deserve.
Can I Afford a Redding Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney?
Many people mistakenly think that they cannot afford to hire a personal injury lawyer. However, most attorneys in California handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that a lawyer does not charge anything upfront, and they do not get paid anything unless they either win or settle your case.
You will thus have nothing to lose by speaking with notable Redding hit-and-run accident attorneys about your case to see what options you have and how a contingency fee agreement will work, as some lawyers may have provisions allowing them to recover certain costs of handling cases that they will initially pay out of their own pockets. The bottom line is that most personal injury attorneys in California understand that victims are already dealing with considerable financial stress, and they do not add to this burden by making people worry about legal fees.
Legal Work Our Firm Will Handle
- Conduct an independent investigation into your accident – An investigation into a hit-and-run accident may involve a combination of securing a copy of an accident report, interviewing eyewitnesses, and retrieving any video footage. We can also work with accident reconstruction experts.
- Communicate with insurance companies – You do not want to be dealing with an insurance company on your own because most insurers know how to take advantage of victims and find ways to reduce the payments they will make to them. When you hire a lawyer, they can immediately step in and handle all phone calls with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Help you with your medical care – When people are struggling to get appropriate coverage for their medical needs, an attorney can make sure that a hospital or other care facility provides all of the proper medical care you need.
- Develop a winning case – An experienced hit-and-run accident attorney in Redding is going to know how to collect all of the pertinent evidence. They can immediately provide legal advocacy in a courtroom and subpoena witnesses, and ensure your case will be as strong as possible.
Our Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys Serve Clients Throughout Redding
A hit-and-run accident can be a confusing, terrifying, and frustrating experience, but you do not have to deal with all of the resulting issues by yourself. Contact Arash Law, founded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., and its team headed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. today to immediately get the best possible legal help in sorting out all of the details.
You can call (888) 488-1391 or use the contact form on our website to take the first steps to set up a completely free consultation. We can sit down with you and fully discuss your case so we can also recommend your next steps.
The Redding hit-and-run accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have a record of success that includes more than $750 million in personal injury settlements for people all over California. We represent clients in Redding and many other surrounding communities in California, such as Shasta Lake, Eureka, Anderson, Marysville, Red Bluff, Ukiah, Chico, Arcata, Magalia, Fortuna, Paradise, Yuba City, Oroville, South Yuba City, and Susanville.