Know your duties and responsibilities following a Washington D.C. car accident, including when to call the police or 911.
Driving in Washington D.C. can be fraught with stress, even if you are fortunate enough to avoid accidents. But when a crash occurs, knowing what to do can help you avoid serious legal complications or fines.
Keep reading to understand your legal duties following a traffic accident in Washington D.C. To learn more, you can also read Chapter 22 of the D.C. Motor Vehicle Code.
1. Washington D.C. Driver Exchange of Information Law
After a car crash in the District of Columbia, you must immediately stop your vehicle. If someone was injured in the crash, you must remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and give your information to the police and the injured person.
Any person who knows or has reason to believe that his or her vehicle has been in a collision shall immediately stop and where another person is injured, remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives, and provide identifying information to law enforcement and to the injured person.
2. Washington D.C. Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
If you are involved in an injury accident in the District of Columbia, you have a duty to stop your vehicle and summon emergency assistance. To fulfill your obligation to render aid, you must call 911 or an ambulance for the injured victim when necessary. You can also have someone else call on your behalf.
Any person who knows or has reason to believe that his or her vehicle has been in a collision shall immediately stop and where another person is injured, call or cause another to call 911 or call or cause another to call for an ambulance or other emergency assistance if necessary.
3. Washington D.C. Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
Washington D.C. does not specifically require you to report most car accidents to the police. However, if you are involved in a crash that injures someone, you must call 911 or for other emergency assistance if needed. You must also remain on the scene until police arrive and provide identifying information to the responding law enforcement officers.
Likewise, if the collision damaged property and you cannot find the owner, you are required to report the location of the accident to the Metropolitan police or 911 and provide identifying information.
Any person who has been in a collision shall immediately stop and where another person is injured, call or cause another to call 911 or call or cause another to call for an ambulance or other emergency assistance if necessary, remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives, and provide identifying information to law enforcement and to the injured person.
Any person who has been in a collision shall immediately stop and where real or personal property belonging to another is damaged, where the owner or operator of the property or is not present, provide or cause another to provide identifying information and the location of the collision, to law enforcement or 911.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Washington D.C.?
Failing to comply with your legal duties after an injury accident in Washington D.C. can lead to a fine and up to 180 days in jail. If you have a prior offense of failing to report an accident, you can face up to a year in prison.
If you fail to fulfill your duty to report an accident involving property damage, the punishment is lighter. However, you can still face a fine and up to 30 days in jail, and prior offenders can be imprisoned for up to 90 days.
A person violating subsection (a)(1) of this section shall upon conviction for the first offense be fined or incarcerated for not more than 180 days, or both.
A person violating subsection (a)(1) of this section when the person has a prior offense under subsection (a)(1) shall be fined or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
A person violating subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section shall upon conviction for the first offense be fined or incarcerated for not more than 30 days, or both.
A person violating subsection (a)(2) or (3) of this section when the person has a prior offense under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) shall be fined or imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both.
4. Washington D.C. Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
Non-injury accidents have their own set of rules in Washington D.C. Drivers must stop their car immediately and give their personal information to the owner of any property that was damaged during the crash.
If property was damaged but its owner is not present, you must report the accident and its location, plus your personal information, to the police or 911.
Any person who has been in a collision shall immediately stop and where real or personal property is damaged, provide identifying information to the owner or operator of the property or, where the owner or operator is not present, provide or cause another to provide identifying information and the location of the collision, to law enforcement or 911.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Washington D.C.?
When you hit and damage a parked car in the District of Columbia, the law requires that you stop and try to find the car’s owner. Once you have located them, you need to give the owner your identifying information.
If you cannot find the vehicle’s owner, you must contact law enforcement, tell them where the crash happened, and give them your personal information.
Any person who has been in a collision shall immediately stop and where real or personal property is damaged, provide identifying information to the owner or operator of the property or, where the owner or operator is not present, provide or cause another to provide identifying information and the location of the collision, to law enforcement or 911.
If you are involved in a Washington D.C. car accident, it is essential that you remember your legal duties. Understanding what you have to do after a crash can help you avoid consequences like fines or even jail time.
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