Last week, a driver in a van hit another car and fled the scene of the accident with a passenger and two children in the van. At a high rate of speed, the van driver blew through a stop light and crashed into a Ford SUV and a Chevrolet suburban. The driver of the suburban was ejected from the vehicle while the van and the Ford SUV hit three other cars traveling in the opposite lanes. One of the vehicles carrying two more children burst into flames.
One man lost his life and six others were injured. Four of those injured were children in this horrific six-car crash. The hit-and-run driver in the van is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, driving on a revoked license and vehicular manslaughter. By not stopping and rending aid in the initial car crash, the driver caused an excessive, yet an avoidable amount of damage.
TENNESSEE LAW REQUIRES DRIVERS TO STOP AFTER AN ACCIDENT
An accident can be stressful and drivers, especially those at fault, may be tempted to flee the scene of the accident, especially those with outstanding tickets or revoked licenses. However, Tennessee law specifically states if you are involved in an accident, you must stop your vehicle.
Hit-and-run drivers will face criminal charges if they do not comply with their duty to stop. If anyone is injured in the accident, drivers are required to stop and render reasonable assistance. Not doing so can result in felony charges against the hit-and-run driver.
WHAT DO I DO IF I’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT?
If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, it is important you remain calm. Pull over to the side of the road and out of traffic, if at all possible. Do not follow the driver to confront them or drive away from the accident to report it at a more convenient time, as this will make dealing with insurance companies more difficult.
Take deep breaths and try to remember everything you can about the hit-and-run driver. Write down what you remember from the make, model, color of the car, year, distinct features and as much of the license plate as you can remember. Even a partial license plate number can help in an investigation. Also, take note of what the driver looked like. Take down the information of any witnesses who saw the accident and what they remember of it. Next, call the police and file an accident report. Hopefully, your information will help them to track down the hit-and-run driver before they cause further injury to others.
Stanley A. Davis is a personal injury attorney who fights for car crash victims in Nashville, Tennessee.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father, who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Source: https://wkrn.com/2016/04/18/horrific-crash-reported-on-blue-hole-road-in-antioch/