In the span of just a few short weeks, actress Amanda Bynes has been in several car accidents, many while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Bynes was initially charged with two hit and run accidents, which led to a license suspension.

California law requires that anyone involved in a car accident that leads to property damage or personal injury stop as soon as is safe and exchange identifying information such as his or her name, driver’s license number and contact information. In the event the car crash causes damage to a parked vehicle or the other owner is not immediately available, the driver is required by law to leave a note with the proper information. If you are not the owner of the car, you must also provide the name and address of the registered owner.

Failing to abide by the California hit and run laws is serious. A driver who fails to stop may be subject to criminal penalties for failing to stop – either a misdemeanor where property damage is involved or a felony where someone has been injured.

Despite laws requiring an individual stop, a driver may still flee the scene of an accident for a variety of reasons. In some situations, they may simply panic. Other times, the accident may be the result of drunk driving and a driver may fear arrest. Whatever the motivation, drivers who flee the scene face stiff penalties.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run car accident, it’s a good idea to speak with a Sacramento hit and run accident attorney right away in order to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. Most often, those responsible for causing California hit-and-run crashes are later identified and may be held liable for the injuries and damages they have caused. In the unlikely event it is not possible to identify the perpetrators, you may also be able to recover monies from your own un- or under-insured policy.

Here after Bynes was implicated in two hit and runs, her driving privileges were suspended. However, she continued to drive while on a suspended license causing at least three additional known accidents – including a drunk driving accident where she hit a police car, another incident where she was photographed smoking what appeared to be a marijuana pipe while driving around the San Fernando Valley, and a minor fender bender.

It is unknown whether Bynes will face additional criminal penalties or civil personal injury lawsuits as the result of her spate of recent accidents.

For more information please contact an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.