In Washington State, a person commits the crime of Hit and Run of an Unattended Vehicle if after striking or colliding with another parked or unattended vehicle, he/she does not immediately stop and notify the owner of the other vehicle and provide them with their name and address. If he/she cannot locate the owner of that vehicle, he/she must leave a written note with their name and address in a conspicuous place.
Penalties for Hit & Run of an Unattended Vehicle
Hit and Run of an Unattended Vehicle is a Simple Misdemeanor in Washington State and carries a penalty of 0-90 days in jail and a fine of 0-$1000. A conviction for this crime will NOT trigger a Department of Licensing driver’s license suspension. However, if the driver possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) then the driver will face a CDL suspension. Furthermore, any conviction for hit and run will most likely result in an increase in insurance expenses.
RCW 46.52.010: Duty on Striking an Unattended Car:
1) The operator of any vehicle which collided with any other vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle of the name and address of the operator and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle or shall leave in a conspicuous place in the vehicle struck a written notice, giving the name and address of the operator and of the owner of the vehicle striking such other vehicle.
2) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to property fixed or placed upon or adjacent to any public highway shall take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of such property of such fact and of the name and address of the operator and owner of the vehicle striking such property, or shall leave in a conspicuous place upon the property struck a written notice, giving the name and address of the operator and of the owner of the vehicle so striking the property, and such person shall further make report of such accident as in the case of other accidents upon the public highways of this state.
