Originally Posted by Steve B.

No, this is pretty much correct. I live in a pretty congested area. On the rare occasion that a driver actually hangs around after killing a cyclist, the police statement is always a "vehicle impounded for a brake check" or something similar. Most cases locally are always a hit and run because there is no additional penalties added on to a leaving the scene of an accident with injury. There is NEVER and otherwise consequences for when there is no witness other than the drive who would usually use a "I didn't see him" excuse. The drivers NEVER get prosecuted unless there are additional circumstances as noted by Daniel. I see stories of countless motorcyclists killed or injured by drivers who make what is essentially an illegal left turn across the path of an oncoming bike. It's clearly a case of failure to yield right of way, yet the police do nothing. This is the attitude of the cops, if they didn't see an accident or there is no witness to an obvious illegal move by a motorist, they decline to follow up.