Proposed laws could help apprehend hit-and-run drivers

Two California bills could make it easier to apprehend and punish hit-and-run drivers in the state.

Two new bills seek to crackdown on drivers who flee accident scenes

Two bills targeted at hit-and-run drivers were recently passed by California lawmakers and are awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature in order to become law, according to the Glendale News-Press. The first bill, AB 47, would create a statewide “Yellow Alert” system designed to apprehend drivers who flee the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident. The second bill, AB 1532, would see to it that drivers convicted of a hit-and-run have their license suspended.

Yellow Alert system

The Yellow Alert system that would be created by the proposed law would work similarly to the current Amber Alert system. Whenever a hit-and-run accident occurs involving death or serious injury, police and highway patrol would display a description of the fleeing vehicle on current highway traffic message signs. According to ABC 23 News, police would only issue the Yellow Alert if they believed that doing so could lead to the driver being arrested and if there was enough information to provide a description of the vehicle.

The second bill would require anybody convicted of a hit-and-run involving another person to have his or her license suspended for six months. Unlike the first bill, the license suspension would apply to anybody convicted of a hit-and-run, regardless of how serious the accident turned out to be.

Victims of hit-and-run drivers

People who have been the victims of hit-and-run drivers often feel helpless when trying to hold negligent drivers accountable for the pain and suffering they have caused. With the two bills described above, fewer drivers will hopefully be able to flee the scene of an accident in California, thus giving their victims more options when pursuing justice and compensation.

Of course, even with the best laws in place, not all hit-and-run drivers are going to be apprehended by police. However, people who have been injured by such drivers may still have options for seeking the compensation they need to cover expenses related to their accident, such as loss of income and medical expenses. Motorists who have uninsured motorist insurance coverage can often seek compensation if they have been the victim of a hit-and-run driver. Such coverage often extends to various types of hit-and-run accidents, such as being hit by a fleeing car while walking or riding a bicycle.

Legal representation

Seeking compensation after being injured by a hit-and-run driver can often be a complicated process. Insurance claims, even for those who have uninsured motorist coverage, can become difficult and time consuming for accident victims who choose to file a claim by themselves. Anybody who has been injured by a hit-and-run driver should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A qualified attorney can put years of expertise to use to help motor vehicle accident victims in their pursuit of compensation for their pain and suffering.