41-6a-401 - Accident involving property damage -- Duties of operator, occupant, and owner -- Exchange of information -- Notification of law enforcement -- Penalties.
41-6a-401. Accident involving property damage -- Duties of operator, occupant,and owner -- Exchange of information -- Notification of law enforcement -- Penalties.
(1) (a) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage toanother vehicle or other property:
(i) may move the vehicle as soon as possible off the roadway or freeway main lines,shoulders, medians, or adjacent areas to the nearest safe location on an exit ramp shoulder, afrontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location that does not obstructtraffic; and
(ii) shall remain at the scene of the accident or the location described in Subsection(1)(a)(i) until the operator has fulfilled the requirements of this section.
(b) Moving a vehicle as required under Subsection (1)(a)(i) does not affect thedetermination of fault for an accident.
(2) Except as provided under Subsection (5), if the vehicle or other property is operated,occupied, or attended by any person or if the owner of the vehicle or property is present, theoperator of the vehicle involved in the accident shall:
(a) give to the persons involved:
(i) the operator's name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle beingoperated; and
(ii) the name of the insurance provider covering the vehicle being operated including thephone number of the agent or provider; and
(b) upon request and if available, exhibit the operator's license to:
(i) any investigating peace officer present;
(ii) the operator, occupant of, or person attending the vehicle or other property damagedin the accident; and
(iii) the owner of property damaged in the accident, if present.
(3) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately and by thequickest means of communication available give notice or cause to give notice of the accident tothe nearest office of a law enforcement agency if the accident resulted in property damage to anapparent extent of $1,500 or more.
(4) Except as provided under Subsection (5), if the vehicle or other property damaged inthe accident is unattended, the operator of the vehicle involved in the accident shall:
(a) locate and notify the operator or owner of the vehicle or the owner of other propertydamaged in the accident of the operator's name, address, and the registration number of thevehicle causing the damage; or
(b) attach securely in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property a writtennotice giving the operator's name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle causing thedamage.
(5) The operator of a vehicle that provides the information required under this section toan investigating peace officer at the scene of the accident is exempt from providing theinformation to other persons required under this section.
(6) (a) A person who violates the provisions of Subsection (1) is guilty of a class Bmisdemeanor.
(b) A person who violates the provision of Subsection (4) is guilty of a class Bmisdemeanor.
Amended by Chapter 115, 2009 General Session