I Left the Scene of an Accident in California — What Should I Do Now?
If you’re reading this right now, you’re probably scared. Maybe you panicked. Maybe you weren’t thinking clearly. Maybe you didn’t even realize the accident was serious until you were already down the road. Whatever the reason — you left the scene of an accident in California, and now you’re trying to figure out what happens next.
First: take a breath. You have options. What you do in the next few hours matters enormously.
This guide explains California’s hit-and-run laws, the real consequences you’re facing, and the steps you need to take right now to protect yourself as much as possible. We’ll also explain what this means for your auto insurance — including SR-22 requirements and what happens to your coverage.
One important note: This is not legal advice. For your specific situation, you need a California criminal defense attorney. But understanding the law and your options is the first step.
What California Law Says About Leaving the Scene
California has two separate hit-and-run laws depending on what was damaged or hurt:
Vehicle Code § 20002 — Property Damage Only
If you were involved in an accident that caused damage to another vehicle, property, or objects — and you left without stopping, identifying yourself, and leaving your contact information — you’ve violated California Vehicle Code § 20002.
This is a misdemeanor offense carrying:
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Up to 3 years of probation
- 2 points added to your California driving record
- Restitution for the property damage caused
Vehicle Code § 20001 — Injury or Death
If the accident involved injury or death to any person — and you left the scene — you’ve violated California Vehicle Code § 20001.
This is far more serious. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on severity:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail, fines up to $10,000
- Felony (injury): 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison
- Felony (death or permanent serious injury): 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison, fines up to $10,000
- Restitution to the victim(s)
- License suspension or revocation
- SR-22 requirement after license reinstatement
How Long Can California Charge You?
The statute of limitations — how long prosecutors have to file charges — depends on what happened:
| Situation | Time Prosecutors Have to Charge You |
|---|---|
| Property damage only (no injury) | 1 year |
| Injury (non-serious) | 3 years |
| Serious injury or death | 6 years |
This means even if no one has knocked on your door yet, you are not in the clear. Law enforcement has significant time to investigate, identify vehicles through surveillance cameras, witnesses, license plate readers, and physical evidence — and file charges.
The sooner you act, the more control you have over what happens next.
How Do Police Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?
Many people who flee an accident scene believe they won’t be identified. The reality in 2026 is very different. California law enforcement has more tools than ever:
- Traffic and security cameras — Nearly every major intersection in Orange County has cameras. Parking lots, businesses, Ring doorbells, and dashcams on other vehicles capture footage constantly
- License plate readers — Highway patrol and local police run automated license plate readers on major roads throughout OC
- Witness accounts — Other drivers, pedestrians, and bystanders often capture partial or full plate numbers on their phones
- Paint transfer and debris — Forensic analysis of paint, glass, and vehicle parts left at the scene can identify your vehicle’s make, model, and color
- Social media — Witnesses increasingly post accident footage online, sometimes identifying vehicles within hours
- Victim’s dashcam — Many vehicles in OC now have front and rear dashcams running at all times
The hit-and-run clearance rate has increased significantly as camera technology has spread. Assuming you won’t be found is a dangerous gamble.
What to Do Right Now — Step by Step
Step 1: Stop and Think Clearly
Before you do anything else, get somewhere safe and private. You need to think clearly about your situation:
- Was anyone injured, or was it only property damage?
- Did anyone see you? Were there cameras?
- Do you know whose property was damaged?
- How long ago did this happen?
- Have police contacted you yet?
Your answers affect your options and the urgency of your next steps.
Step 2: Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney — Before Anything Else
This is the most important step on this entire page.
Do not contact the other driver. Do not call police. Do not talk to anyone about what happened — until you have spoken with a criminal defense attorney.
An attorney can:
- Advise you on whether and how to turn yourself in in a way that may reduce charges
- Negotiate with prosecutors before charges are filed
- Assess whether you were even legally required to stop (rare edge cases)
- Represent you if charges are filed
- Help you understand your specific exposure
Many California criminal defense attorneys offer free initial consultations. Call one today — not tomorrow. Every hour matters.
Step 3: Do Not Discuss This With Anyone
Do not tell friends, family, or coworkers what happened. Do not post anything on social media. Do not text about it. Anything you say can be used against you — and people you trust can be subpoenaed as witnesses.
The only people you should discuss this with are your attorney (protected by attorney-client privilege) and possibly your spouse (protected by marital privilege in some circumstances — ask your attorney).
Step 4: Preserve Any Evidence
Do not destroy, hide, or repair your vehicle yet — especially if you haven’t spoken to an attorney. Repairing collision damage immediately after an accident can look like consciousness of guilt and may be used against you. Your attorney will advise you on timing.
If you have dashcam footage from your own vehicle, do not delete it. Your attorney needs to see it before deciding how to handle your case.
This does not mean walk into a police station alone. It means your attorney contacts the appropriate law enforcement agency or prosecutor on your behalf — in a controlled, strategic way that protects your rights.
Do not turn yourself in without legal representation. What you say when you turn yourself in will be on record.
Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company — With Caution
Eventually you will need to notify your insurance company. However, the timing and manner of this should be discussed with your attorney first.
If police haven’t contacted you and charges haven’t been filed yet, your attorney may advise you on the best sequence of events. Your insurer has a right to know about accidents — but your attorney can help you navigate this carefully.
Important: Your insurance company may deny your claim or cancel your policy for a hit-and-run. We explain the insurance implications below.
What Happens to Your Insurance After a Hit and Run?
This is a question we answer regularly at Starwest Insurance, and the answer depends on several factors:
Your Policy May Be Cancelled
Most auto insurance policies include a clause allowing the insurer to cancel your policy if you’re convicted of a serious traffic offense — including felony hit-and-run. A misdemeanor hit-and-run may result in non-renewal at your next renewal date.
Your Rates Will Increase Significantly
Even without cancellation, a hit-and-run conviction will cause your auto insurance rates to increase dramatically — often 50–100% or more. You’ll be classified as a high-risk driver.
You May Need SR-22 Insurance
If your license is suspended as a result of a hit-and-run conviction, California will require you to file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility before your license can be reinstated. The SR-22 requirement typically lasts 3 years from the date of reinstatement.
As an independent agency, Starwest Insurance works with carriers who specialize in SR-22 filings for high-risk drivers — including Progressive, Bristol West, Kemper, and Infinity. We can get you covered and file your SR-22 the same day.
👉 Read our SR-22 Insurance guide for Orange County →
The Victim May Sue You Personally
If someone was injured in the accident you fled, they have the right to sue you personally for damages — medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. Your auto insurance liability coverage would normally help cover this, but insurers may dispute coverage if you’re convicted of intentional criminal conduct.
What If It Was Only a Parked Car or Minor Property Damage?
Many hit-and-run cases in California involve low-speed incidents — a bumped parked car in a lot, a scraped fence post, a minor sideswipe. People panic and drive off, not realizing the legal exposure they’ve created.
For property damage only under VC § 20002, you still violated the law — but the path forward is more manageable.
What you were legally required to do:
- Stop immediately
- Locate the vehicle or property owner
- If the owner can’t be found, leave a written note with your name, address, and phone number in a conspicuous place on the damaged vehicle or property — and report the accident to police
If you failed to do any of this, you’ve committed a misdemeanor. But for minor property damage cases where no one was hurt and the damage was small, prosecutors often have discretion — and voluntary resolution (paying for the damage, coming forward quickly) can result in reduced or dismissed charges.
Again: talk to an attorney first.
Frequently Asked Questions: Leaving the Scene of an Accident in California
Is leaving the scene of an accident always a felony in California?
No. Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only accident is a misdemeanor under VC § 20002. It becomes a felony under VC § 20001 when someone was injured or killed and you fled.
How long does California have to charge me with hit and run?
It depends on what happened: 1 year for property damage only, 3 years for non-serious injury, and 6 years for serious injury or death. The clock starts from the date of the accident.
Should I turn myself in after leaving the scene of an accident?
Possibly — but only after consulting with a criminal defense attorney. Turning yourself in can sometimes result in reduced charges or more favorable treatment, but you should never do it without legal representation present or advising you.
Will my insurance cover a hit-and-run accident?
It depends on your policy and the outcome of your case. Your insurer may deny claims related to the incident, increase your rates significantly, or cancel your policy. You will likely need SR-22 insurance if your license is suspended.
What if I left because I was scared and panicked?
Panic or fear is not a legal defense to hit-and-run in California, but it may be relevant as a mitigating factor in sentencing. An attorney can help you present context to prosecutors or judges.
Can I be charged with hit and run if I didn’t realize I hit something?
California requires that you knew or reasonably should have known that an accident occurred. If you genuinely had no awareness of the collision, this may be a defense — but it requires legal representation to argue effectively.
What is SR-22 insurance and will I need it?
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility filed with the California DMV — required to reinstate your license after certain convictions including hit-and-run. Starwest Insurance files SR-22s same day. Read our SR-22 guide →
How will a hit-and-run affect my car insurance rates in California?
Significantly. Expect your rates to increase 50–100%+ and your policy may be cancelled or non-renewed. As a high-risk driver after conviction, you’ll need a carrier that specializes in non-standard auto insurance. Starwest works with these carriers.
Starwest Insurance: SR-22 and High-Risk Auto Insurance in Orange County
We understand that accidents — and the panic that follows — happen to good people. Our job isn’t to judge. Our job is to make sure you have the coverage you need to get back on the road legally and affordably.
If you’re facing a hit-and-run charge, a license suspension, or an SR-22 requirement, Starwest Insurance can help. We file SR-22 certificates same day and work with carriers who specialize in high-risk auto insurance throughout Orange County.
Westminster Office: 13752 Goldenwest Street, Westminster, CA 92683 | Mon–Fri 10am–6pm
Irvine Office: 15375 Barranca Parkway, Building L, Irvine, CA 92618 | Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Get Covered. Get Legal. Move Forward.
If you need SR-22 insurance after a hit-and-run conviction or license suspension, call us today. We’ll get you covered fast — no judgment, no delay.
- 📞 Call: 714.893.7271
- 💬 Text: 714-867-7799
- 📧 Email: jb@starwestinsurance.com
- 📍 Irvine Office: 15375 Barranca Parkway, Building L, Irvine, CA 92618
- 📍 Westminster Office: 13752 Goldenwest Street, Westminster, CA 92683
- 🌐 Website: starwestinsurance.com
Starwest Insurance Services, LLC — DBA Huntington Insurance Agency. License #0H05097. Serving Orange County since 1995.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are involved in a hit-and-run situation, consult a licensed California criminal defense attorney immediately.