Does a minor car scrape where the driver flees count as a hit-and-run?
2 Answers
It is considered a hit-and-run, but if it's only a minor scrape without serious consequences, it does not constitute a crime and will be treated as a general traffic violation. Here's how to handle such situations: 1. After a traffic accident, the offender should immediately report to the police, protect the accident scene, and assist the authorities in investigation and handling. 2. If instead of taking necessary measures to minimize damage, the driver flees, it can exacerbate the situation—such as victims not receiving timely medical attention leading to life-threatening conditions, or unaware passing vehicles causing further accidents—thus making the violation more severe.
It depends on the specific situation. According to China's Road Traffic Law, if someone flees the scene after a traffic accident, no matter how minor the vehicle damage is, it's considered hit-and-run if the responsible party leaves. Hit-and-run is no trivial matter - penalties range from fines and demerit points to license revocation or even imprisonment. From my experience, even minor scrapes without injuries become illegal if the other party flees. So I recommend you do two things immediately: first, note the accident time and location, and take photos of the vehicle damage; second, report to the police as soon as possible, providing surveillance footage or eyewitnesses if available. Don't consider private settlements to avoid future troubles. For prevention, maintain safe distances while driving and avoid conflicts when possible. Ultimately, protecting your legal rights is paramount - the law exists to ensure this fairness.
