Easy accessibility to any place at any time is one of the privileges of postmodernism. Contemporary automobiles are so advanced that one can drive their way all across America without any hassles.
The only problem that has persisted throughout these years is that of road accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that 8,650 people lost their lives on the roads within the first three months of 2024.
Since 2018, the scenario has not much improved but only worsened by over 20%. Though road accidents are bad enough, more so are cases of hit-and-run. In this article, we will discuss what such accidents are, their legal repercussions, and efforts undertaken to reduce their occurrences.
What Are Hit-and-Run Accidents?
When a driver crashes with another vehicle, property, or pedestrian and zips away without stopping at the scene, the same becomes a hit-and-run case. The victim receives no medical aid or insurer information for compensation.
One state where such cases are on the rise is Arkansas. In July 2024, a 19-year-old woman walking in rural Jefferson County near the I-27 exit was struck dead by a speeding vehicle. The responsible vehicle was described by the authorities as a red Honda.
The victim was left helpless as the driver fled the scene. An investigation is currently underway to identify the driver. Moreover, it is still unclear whether any premeditation was involved. Other similar hit-and-run cases occur across the country. Let’s summarize the few common examples to be found.
- A pedestrian is hit by a vehicle and the responsible driver leaves the scene without providing the victim any help.
- A driver collides their car with a parked vehicle and leaves no note or makes no attempts to contact the owner.
- A driver crashes with another vehicle, causing damage to both. Instead of exchanging insurance details or waiting for the authorities, the liable driver speeds away from the scene.
Legal Obligations of the Liable Party
According to the Keith Law Group, hit-and-run accidents are usually the result of intoxicated or reckless driving. This impairs the driver’s judgment, increases reaction time, and causes a serious collision.
It’s too late when the driver realizes the consequences of their recklessness. Out of fear, many make poor decisions by fleeing the accident scene. The law does not favor such things. There are certain legal obligations every US driver must fulfill, even when it comes to hit-and-run cases.
For the sake of consistency, let’s discuss what the Arkansas law has to say about drivers involved in an accident. Accordingly, the following must be ensured –
- The driver must stop their vehicle immediately at the accident scene.
- They must provide their name, address, driver’s license details, registration number, etc., to the other parties involved.
- The victim(s) must be offered reasonable assistance, which may include calling 911, hospital support, etc.
- The crash must be reported to the local law enforcement.
So, what would a typical accident scenario look like? Let’s take another example. This one is significant because both the victim and the perpetrator were minors. A 17-year-old driving a black Mustang hit a 6-year-old in Rogers, Arkansas in a recent incident.
Given the unique circumstances of this incident, a Rogers personal injury lawyer would have to be involved. The minor will be held liable for the injuries, albeit the standards of liability will differ from those of adults.
However, what’s interesting is that the liable party fled the accident scene without providing any aid to the child. In such cases, penalties will be involved as discussed in the next section.
Penalties for Leaving the Scene
Though our example does not have any damaged property, we will discuss this section overall. The Arkansas law imposes penalties on drivers engaging in reckless behaviors. If they flee the scene without attending to the victim or damaged property, charges or jail/juvenile time will be imposed based on whether the same was a misdemeanor hit or a repeat offense.
The penalty may include a fine of $2,500, jail time for one year, or both in case of a misdemeanor hit. In case of a felony involving death or serious bodily injuries, the liable party may be imprisoned for up to 20 years or incur a fine of $15,000, or both.
Since a minor is involved, their parents or local guardians may also be held liable. This means they would have to pay the aforementioned penalties. As for a minor’s juvenile time, the court will decide the outcome based on factors like the severity of the injuries and the minor’s criminal history.
Efforts to Reduce Instances of Hit-and-Run
States across the US, including Arkansas, offer a variety of victim assistance programs. This is done to protect the interests of victims of hit-and-run accidents. Plus, the hope is to deter individuals from leaving the accident scene, thinking that they will not be found out. Such may include –
- Crime victims’ reparation programs focus on providing financial assistance for lost wages, medical expenses, counseling services, and other costs related to the accident.
- Victim witness services where complete support is offered throughout court proceedings, including case updates, accompaniment, and more.
- Community-based organizations provide resources like support groups and crisis intervention for the victims.
Moreover, intersections and interstates are being installed with cameras and sensors at regular intervals to keep an eye on the road traffic. Given how advanced such cameras have become, they can capture the car color, license plate, and even the driver in some cases.
At the individual level, every driver or pedestrian can do their bit to stay safe so that such cases can be reduced. It is best to avoid all distractions while driving on the road. One must always drive a safe vehicle, one that comes with high safety ratings.
Wearing safety gear like seatbelts is crucial at all times. Those walking on the streets should stick to sidewalks and only cross when a designated crosswalk is nearby.
Let’s close with a word of encouragement for those victimized by a hit-and-run accident. They must remember that the law is there to support them. If possible, the victim must try to gather any accessible details of the responsible driver or their vehicle.
These could include the driver’s description, car model, license plate number, and more. They must contact the police and get in touch with their insurer. Finally, a personal injury lawyer’s assistance must be sought to get fair compensation.
