What You Need to Know about Fender Bender Accidents

A fender bender is a minor accident involving two vehicles. It is a prevalent accident, and if you drive regularly, you have probably experienced it at some point in your life. 

The definition of “minor” is debatable. Certain examples of incidents fall into this category. These include being lightly hit while parking, being rear-ended at low speeds, and being banged by a negligent driver. Despite their minor nature, fender benders can still result in serious problems if handled improperly. 

A video of a recent Fender Bender accident in a parking lot is making rounds on the internet. Nobody was hurt but it seems someone broke the law. Below is the full story.

The Viral Parking Lot Fender Bender Accidents

Two cars—one white and the other black—belonged to two women as shown in the video. In a parking lot, the woman driving the black car ran into the woman driving the white car. The driver of the white car complained that the collision damaged her vehicle. The driver of the black car got out of her car. She began yelling at her. 

She claims that there was no damage to the car in the Fender Bender accident and was asking the woman “Where is the damage?” She even went as far as hitting the car with her hands. A man who appeared to have seen everything was nearby. 

The woman driving the black car approached the man and hugged him, demanding that he take the woman driving the white car away from her.

In her words “Tell her to get away from me she is crazy”. The lady with the damaged car was complaining and asking her if this was the right thing to do in an accident and demanded they exchange information. The lady with the black car drove off without answering her.

What Happened Next in Fender Bender Accidents

Well nobody knows for sure as the video ended where the woman with the black car drove off. Ugo Lord, a renowned attorney, states: in a fender bender with no damage, you can leave. Specific conditions allow leaving the scene. According to him, those circumstances involve consent. 

You must provide information if asked. Leaving can be seen as hit and run. This means that the woman with the black car is guilty of a hit-and-run. 

Can You Leave the Scene of a Fender Bender Accident if There Is No Damage?

As previously mentioned, fender benders, while minor, can lead to legal consequences if mishandled. In California, leaving the scene of an accident without fulfilling legal obligations can result in misdemeanor charges. This is particularly true if the incident involves property damage or injuries, no matter how minor they may seem.

Misdemeanor charges in the context of fender benders usually involve hit-and-run scenarios or failure to report the accident. These charges can lead to fines, and in some cases, jail time. It’s crucial to understand the gravity of these potential legal outcomes and act accordingly in the aftermath of a fender-bender accident.

California Hit and Run Code

The California Vehicle Code §20002– Hit and Run states that any California driver who has accidentally bumped another vehicle either in a parking lot or while trying to park on the street has two options. They can either leave their name and contact information for the owner of the damaged vehicle or they can quickly drive away in the hope that no one notices. 

The California Vehicle Code § 20002 prohibits individuals from leaving the scene of a fender bender accident. They must identify themselves to the others involved when there is property damage. This law mandates responsible behavior in such situations. It is closely related to California Vehicle Code § 20001 Felony Hit and Run.

Vehicle Code § 20002 for hit and run is a misdemeanor. As such, it carries a maximum penalty of not more than six months in the county jail and a fine of up to 1,000 dollars, a lesser penalty than the more serious § 20002 Felony Hit and Run. To be guilty under Vehicle Code § 20002, you must:

• Leave an accident scene;

• Fail to identify yourself to the others involved;

• Damage occurred to someone else’s property.

The Definition of “Hit and Run” Under Vehicle Code § 20002

For you to be convicted of hit and run, the prosecution must prove the following:

• While driving, the defendant was involved in a vehicle accident;

• The accident caused damage to someone else’s property;

• The defendant knew that (he/she) had been involved in an accident that caused property damage;

• The defendant willfully failed to perform one or more of the following duties: (a) To stop immediately, at the scene of the accident; or (b) To provide the owner or person in control of the damaged property with (his/her) name and current residence address [and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle the defendant was driving].

Tips on How to Handle a Fender Bender Collision

No one wishes to get involved in accidents but when it happens it is safe to know the necessary steps in making the situation easy for everyone. So if you ever find yourself in a fender bender accident situation here are some tips to have in mind.

Stay calm: Accidents can be frightening no matter how ” minor” it is. We know the first thing that everyone does after an accident is to rush out of the car. But it won’t hurt to take a few minutes to take a deep breath and put yourself together. After gathering yourself, you can check if everyone involved is okay. If there are any injuries, call 911 immediately. 

Check for damages: After getting yourself and confirming that everyone is ok, the next thing to do is check for car damages. Do a thorough review of the car e.g. mirrors, lights, etc.

Call the police: Whether it is a minor or major accident, always call the police. And before that, you should take note of everything for example, get the driver’s personal information like name, license, phone number or email address, home address, etc. Take pictures and videos as well. You can also call a lawyer if need be.