Rarely is there a good outcome when a truck collides with a motorcycle, and in a recent accident in New Albany, this was the case when a woman was thrown off a motorcycle after the motorcycle was struck by a truck. The woman, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was killed. The motorcycle driver, on the other hand, as well as the truck driver, did not suffer any injuries as a result of the incident. According to the report, the driver of the truck initially left the accident scene, but then returned.
Your Responsibility to Remain at the Scene of an Accident
In Ohio, as elsewhere, it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident, and failure to do so is known as a hit and run. According to Section 4549.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, if an accident has occurred upon a public road or highway, the vehicle’s operator is required to stop at the scene and provide specific personal and vehicle information with anyone else injured or involved in the accident or provide it to any police officer at the scene. In the case that any injured person is not able to understand and record the information, the other driver has the responsibility to report the incident to the police and stay at the scene until the police arrive. The exception to this requirement would be, of course, if the driver is taken away from the accident scene by an emergency vehicle or ambulance.
What Are the Penalties for Breaking This Law?
Though being involved in an accident can be a scary situation, the potential ramifications are far worse if you leave the scene. If a driver fails to stop after an accident on any public road or highway, he or she can be charged with a misdemeanor. The punishment for this offense can be jail time of up to 180 days as well as a fine of up to and including $1,000. In a situation where someone is seriously injured in the accident, the range of punishments increases as far as both incarceration and fines. The offense, which is now a felony, can lead to a prison sentence of anywhere from six months to one year along with fines up to $2,500. If the incident results in someone’s death, the driver who failed to stop at the accident scene can be sentenced for anywhere from one to five years in prison and be fined up to $10,000. In addition to the incarceration and fines, the driver in any of these scenarios will also be subject to license suspension and points.
Ohio Car Accident Lawyers Can Help When You Have Been Injured in an Accident
If you have been involved and a car accident and have suffered injuries as a result, the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers is here to help. Regardless of whether the accident involved a hit and run, our attorneys know the best way to proceed with your case. Our legal professionals are experienced in all types of accident cases and are dedicated to helping you get the best results available. Your success is important to us and we will be there with you from start to finish. Contact our Toledo, Ohio auto accident lawyers now to schedule your free consultation so we can start helping you today.
