Accusation of Hit & Run: Should you call the police yourself in response to a letter you received about an accident you were in?

The criminal offense commonly known as Hit and Run is a violation of the Vehicle Code, which requires all drivers involved in a car accident to stop and exchange information. If there are injuries, the offense may be prosecuted as a felony, as the law considers leaving the scene of an accident without rendering aid to an injured party as felonious conduct (which carries a maximum of a year in the county jail or three years in prison). Often, LAPD or other investigating agencies will send a letter to the driver that left the scene of the accident, or the vehicle’s owner, asking them to contact a detective. This is when a lawyer could be of great help. By speaking to the police without an attorney, you may be incriminating yourself.