Car accidents can be traumatic, but it is important to remain at the scene and follow certain procedures when an accident occurs.
A Boston-area car accident recently left a woman dead and her young daughter hospitalized. Police are looking for another vehicle possibly involved in the car crash. This was according to a Worcester County District Attorney. The victim was killed when she collided head-on with a pickup truck. Witnesses reported seeing a small passenger vehicle enter traffic and cross into the victim’s lane, which may have led to the fatal crash. The victim may have been swerving to avoid impact with the small passenger vehicle when the head-on collision occurred. The occupants of the pickup truck were treated and released, but the deceased victim’s daughter remains in the hospital from her injuries sustained in the car crash.
It can be serious to leave the scene of the accident from a legal perspective. A person involved in an accident may have legal obligations that can include rendering aid or leaving required identification information. It is best to remain at the scene of an accident until police have arrived, if they are called, or at least until all important information has been exchanged. Those who do not remain at the scene following an accident may risk serious civil and criminal penalties. In this case, if the other driver is identified, then he or she may face civil liability or criminal charges relating to the accident.
Following an accident, those involved should remain at the scene to collect the names, phone numbers, addresses, drivers’ license numbers, license plate numbers and insurance information from all parties involved. Police should be called, especially in cases of death, serious injury or serious damage to property. It is also important to obtain the names, phone numbers, addresses and other relevant information for any witnesses to the accident. Individuals involved in a car accident should refrain from apologizing at the scene or admitting any fault in the accident, due to the risks of civil liability.
Understanding the procedures that should be followed after a car accident can be valuable information to anyone involved in one. It can also help preserve any claim that victims may want to pursue in the future.
Source: Boston.com, “Police seek third vehicle in deadly Westminster crash,” Evan Allen, Dec. 16, 2012