How Much is Your Claim Worth?
How Much is Your Claim Worth?
Learn more about your legal obligations after a collision in Washington, such as rendering aid and reporting the accident.
As a driver in West Virginia, you should be aware of your legal duties if you are ever involved in a car accident. Knowing what to do – and what not to do – following an accident is crucial for avoiding serious legal consequences.
Here we discuss the laws that every West Virginia driver needs to know about car accidents. You can also read Article 4 of the West Virginia Traffic Code to learn more.
If you’re ever involved in a car crash resulting in injury or death in West Virginia, you are legally required to stay at the scene of the collision.
You’ll also need to provide certain information to the other parties in the accident, including your name and phone number, as well as the make and model of the vehicle you’re driving and the last four digits of its vehicle identification number. Additionally, you must show proof of financial responsibility and the information on your certificate of insurance.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury or death shall immediately stop the vehicle and remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has complied with the requirements of §17C-4-3 of this code
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury or death or damage to any vehicle shall, if physically able to do so, provide to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with, the following:
If you are involved in a Hawaii car crash, you must assist anyone who gets hurt. The law requires you to summon an ambulance or arrange other transportation to a medical facility if someone requests transportation or is clearly in need of treatment. You can also take the injured person to the hospital yourself.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a collision shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of the person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary, or if the carrying is requested by the injured person.
Hawaii motorists have a duty to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage of $3,000 or more to the police. The law requires you to contact local law enforcement immediately to notify the nearest police officer of the crash.
Additionally, if you’re the passenger in a car accident that incapacitates the driver, you are legally required to notify the police of the crash yourself.
The driver of a vehicle involved in a collision resulting in injury or death or total damage to property of $3,000 or more shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the collision to the nearest police officer.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving an immediate notice of a collision and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the collision capable of doing so, the occupant shall make or cause to be given the notice not given by the driver.
Failing to report an accident as required by Hawaii law is considered a legal violation. Hawaii levies an additional $100 fine for the trauma system special fund if you do not report a crash, on top of other legal penalties.
Additionally, if you’re the passenger in a car accident that incapacitates the driver, you are legally required to notify the police of the crash yourself.
It shall be a violation for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter unless the violation is by other law of this State declared to be a felony, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor.
For any violation under this section, a surcharge of up to $100 may be imposed, in addition to other penalties, which shall be deposited into the trauma system special fund.
If a Hawaii car accident does not result in an injury but a vehicle was damaged, you must stop as soon as possible after the crash. Remain at the scene until you have exchanged information with the other people involved.
You also must provide your information to police officers investigating the crash. Likewise, you must display your driver’s license if the police or anyone involved in the crash asks to see it.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a collision resulting only in damage to a vehicle shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision and remain at the scene of the collision until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 291C-14. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a collision resulting in damage to any vehicle shall give the driver’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle, and shall upon request and if available exhibit the driver’s license or permit and shall give the information and upon request exhibit the license or permit to any police officer who is investigating.
Hitting a parked car in Hawaii comes with its own set of legal responsibilities. If the collision damaged the parked vehicle, you must first stop your vehicle as soon as you reasonably can without blocking traffic. Then, you need to either find the car’s owner or leave a note.
Either way, you must provide your name, phone number, and vehicle registration number. If you leave a note, you must place it somewhere the driver will likely find it and then notify the nearest police officer as soon as possible.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle that is unattended resulting in any damage to the other vehicle shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the driver’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle or attach securely in a conspicuous place on the vehicle a written notice and notify the nearest police officer.
Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
A traffic accident in Hawaii is never a good experience, but it is vital to comply with your legal duties in the post-crash chaos. Failing to uphold your responsibilities can lead to significant legal consequences, so it’s crucial to understand what you need to do to protect yourself.
(Your submission is secure and is kept strictly confidential.)
