The first step in being a responsible driver is being aware of the laws and regulations set by the state to prevent car accidents.

California car accident laws include statutes about how drivers should conduct themselves on the road; and more importantly, it tells drivers what they can and cannot do while operating the vehicle.

Here are some car accident laws that all drivers in the state of California should be aware of.

Laws on Speeding

According to California laws, no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed that is greater than what is reasonable with consideration to factors like weather, road conditions, traffic, etc.

Drivers should run in speeds that are in no way a danger to other people or property.

Speed Limits

• No vehicle should run a vehicle on a highway at speeds greater than 65mph

• No vehicle should run a vehicle upon a two-lane, undivided highway in a speed greater than 55mph, unless it is marked for higher speeds by the Department of Transportation.

• For highways that are found to be able to handle speeds of more than 65mph, as determined by the Department of Transportation, the maximum speed limit is 75 mph.

Laws on DUI

Here are some statutes about prohibitions on driving while under the influence:

• Persons who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both are prohibited from driving a vehicle.

• Persons who have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 are prohibited from driving a vehicle.

• A person who is addicted to the use of any drug is prohibited from driving a vehicle.

• A person who has a BAC of 0.04 is not allowed to drive a commercial motor vehicle such as trucks.

Laws on Car Accident Reporting

Under the law, a person who is involved in a car accident that resulted in an injury to another person other than him/her, or in death has a duty to stop the vehicle.

The driver also has a duty to help, in the capacity of their power, other people who are injured by transporting or arranging transportation of the injured to a hospital.

The driver is also required to leave his/her information like name, address, registration number, and the name and residence of the owner of the vehicle to the other drivers or to the person struck by the car.

The driver also has a duty to report the accident within 24 hours if the said accident resulted in a serious injury to another person or in death, to the California Highway Patrol or the local police department.

Anyone who flees the scene of the accident after committing a violation may be imprisoned up to five years in the state prison. A $1,000 fine and 1 year imprisonment may be meted upon the non-stopping of the vehicle after an accident.

Those are just some of the basic traffic laws that every driver should know to avoid being the cause of car accidents.

If you are injured in a car accident, consult with an expert car accident attorney to know your legal options.+