Posted in Car Accident on June 19, 2014
Earlier this week in Nashville, Tennessee Highway Patrol officers arrested a man for his involvement in a hit and run accident that sent a child to the hospital. According to a report by Clarksville Online, the driver struck a young man on a skateboard and then stopped his car. The driver inspected his own vehicle and then checked on the child before getting in his car and fleeing the scene of the accident.
Witnesses to the accident followed the driver to a local motel and then alerted police. Police spoke with the motel management and verified that the man was staying in the motel. They then unsuccessfully tried to contact the man over the phone and by knocking on the door. Eventually police secured a warrant and broke down the door. The hit and run driver was arrested without incident.
The driver was charged with aggravated vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an injury crash, driving on a revoked driver’s license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The six-year old child was sent to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to fully recover.
Hit and Run Accidents in Tennessee
Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law in Tennessee, regardless of who was at fault. Thus, a hit and run accident can result in additional criminal liability for a driver on top of any other liability that may result from the accident.
In addition, the fact that a driver left the scene of an accident without rendering aid to a victim can serve as evidence of negligence in a civil case for damages brought by the accident victim. For example, if the boy’s parents in the story above decided to sue the hit and run driver for the boy’s medical expenses, they would also likely be able to tell the jury that the driver fled the scene of the accident without offering assistance to their son. This may go a long way in convincing the jury that the driver was acting negligently.
Proving a Negligence Claim in a Hit and Run Accident
In order for a hit and run accident victim to recover from the driver, the accident victim must prove that the driver was negligent. Negligence is a legal term of art that does not lend itself to an easy definition. To learn more about the law of negligence, contact an experienced Tennessee accident attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Tennessee Hit and Run Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Tennessee hit and run accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the driver’s negligence in causing the accident and fleeing the scene of the accident. Attorney Matt Hardin is a dedicated Nashville personal injury attorney with years of experience defending the rights of injured Tennesseans. Click here, or call 615-200-1111 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney at Matt Hardin Law.
See Related Blog Posts:
Plaintiff Wins Appeal of Tennessee Nursing Home Negligence Case Based on Understaffing, Nashville Injury Lawyer’s Blog, published May 21, 2014.
The Tort of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress in Tennessee, Nashville Injury Lawyer’s Blog, published June 3, 2014.
