Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on May 10, 2016
Three People Flee the Scene of Head-On Crash in Nashville
A car and a truck collided head-on in Nashville Saturday, causing multiple people to suffer injuries. After the accident occurred, Nashville Metro Police apprehended and arrested three people for leaving the scene of the accident.
According to a report by newschannel5.com, the accident occurred at the intersection of South Graycroft Avenue and Due West Avenue in Madison. After the two vehicles collided, the driver of the truck left the accident scene with two passengers in the vehicle.
Metro Nashville Police officers soon apprehended two of the people who had been in the truck at the time of the accident after a short search and then located the third suspect at a gas station that was around half of a mile from the site of the accident.
All of the occupants of the car that was involved in the accident suffered injuries and were transported to the hospital to receive treatment, and one was listed in serious condition.
The identities of the suspects who were riding in the truck and later arrested haven’t been released at this time.
What Are Your Legal Responsibilities after a Car or Truck Accident?
After a car or truck accident, you have three things on your mind: getting medical attention for yourself and your loved ones, protecting your finances and your chances of receiving compensation, and making sure you avoid potential legal problems due to the accident.
The first two steps involve cooperating with emergency responders or going to the hospital, contacting your insurance provider to let them know the accident occurred, and getting an experienced Nashville truck accident attorney on your side. The last step is sometimes overlooked, but failing to cooperate with police fully and completely can put you at risk of being charged for leaving the scene of an accident.
To avoid potentially serious charges after an auto accident, always follow these tips:
Your first step after an accident that involves injuries or property damage is to report it to police. As soon as you’re able to do so, call 911 and tell the dispatcher what happened and the nearest roads and landmarks to your location. Stay on the line as long as necessary and answer any questions the dispatcher has, as doing so can help the emergency responders and police arrive at the accident scene in a shorter amount of time.
When police officers arrive at the accident scene, they will need to fill out a police report that describes what happened, who was involved, and the consequences of the accident. While they’re working on completing this report, they may ask you questions about what happened. Be honest in your responses, but don’t volunteer more information than they request. In addition, you should also cooperate with anyone who was also involved in the accident by trading contact and insurance information. If feasible, take pictures of the scene and write down the license plate number for the other vehicle(s) involved in the wreck as well.
If you’re not injured and don’t need immediate medical attention, you may want to leave the accident scene soon after speaking with police. However, it’s important that you don’t do this unless you’re certain you’re free to leave. In fact, some people who are involved in car accidents may unknowingly leave the area before police have completed their questions or investigations. Leaving before you get the go-ahead from responding police officers can put you at risk of being charged with hit-and-run or leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. Stay near your vehicle until police tell you that it’s okay to leave.
While it’s important to follow the right steps for protecting your health and your rights to compensation, it’s also vital that you fully cooperate with police and avoid any potential charges for inadvertently leaving the scene of an accident before you’re cleared to do so. If you’re ever unsure of your next steps after an accident, ask a police officer who responded to the accident scene.
Even if you follow the rules of the road and the rules for behaving after an auto accident, other drivers may not always return the favor. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver and he or she fled the accident scene, you still have means for receiving compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. To find out how the legal team at Matt Hardin Law can help, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
