Injury Lawyers Who Truly Care

Police track down hit-and-run driver in fatal accident

On Behalf of | Oct 3, 2019 | Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you can make a personal injury claim to hold the driver liable for your damages. But what if the other driver fled the scene of the accident?

Recently, a Virginia man was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and other crimes after police said he fled the scene of a fatal accident. According to news reports, one man was killed and a woman was seriously injured in the Sept. 29 accident. Another man in a third car was also seriously injured.

Under Virginia law, all drivers who are involved in an accident where a person is killed or injured must stop at the scene and provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured. For instance, they should call 911 if someone needs emergency medical treatment. They must wait for the police to arrive and report their name, address, license number and vehicle registration number. They must also provide this information to the occupants of the other vehicle, if they are conscious and capable of accepting the information. Drivers who flee the scene of an accident causing injury or death can be charged with a felony.

A criminal prosecution does not, in itself, help the injured to recover compensation for their damages. However, the criminal aspect of these cases helps with finding the negligent driver. It is important to note that the police take hit-and-run accidents very seriously when someone has been injured or killed, and they have many tools at their disposal to track them down.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver, talk to a personal injury attorney about your options.

Archives