Crisis Files
Doing the Wrong Thing After an Automobile Accident Could Cost You
It might be a felony offense to do the wrong thing after a car wreck where someone was injured. Drivers involved in an auto accident where someone is injured are required by law to do four things: (1) stay at the scene; (2) provide information; (3) give assistance; and (4) make a report. Arkansas Law, AR Code § 27-53-101(b)(1)-(2), makes failure to comply with some of these requirements a Class D Felony. Violation of these laws may result in revocation of a driver’s license. Below is a brief overview of four things the law requires after a car wreck involving injury:
Stay at the Scene
Arkansas law, at AR Code § 27-53-103, requires the driver of all vehicles involved in a serious accident to remain at the scene for a reasonable time:the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle that is driven or attended by any person shall remain at the scene of the accident for a reasonable time in order to be present if the driver knows that a law enforcement agency was contacted for assistance…The law says that a reasonable period for a driver to remain at the scene is 30 minutes or longer. Circumstances often require a driver to stay for longer than an hour.