Truck accidents can be extremely traumatizing and often involve serious injuries or even deaths. This experience can be doubly difficult when the culpable party does not stay at the scene of the accident. New Mexico law mandates that individuals who are involved in an accident must stop their vehicles and, if possible, move their cars to a place where they are least likely to cause further delays or accidents. The driver must provide their name, address, and identifying information to any law enforcement and the injured party. Furthermore, the state requires that if another party is injured, the culpable party must provide “reasonable assistance” to the victim. This may be acts such as calling emergency personnel or even taking the injured party to the hospital.
A hit-and-run occurs when the culpable party does not engage in the above behaviors but rather leaves the scene of the accident. Participating in a hit-and-run can lead to criminal repercussions in addition to civil lawsuits, fines, and penalties.
Sadly, in these situations, the burden is put on the victim or a witness to provide pertinent information to law enforcement. However, in many situations, the victim is not in a position to jot down a license plate number or identifying information. It is very important that victims immediately contact law enforcement when they are involved in a hit-and-run because time is of the essence in these sorts of cases.
New Mexico Driver Arrested Following Hit-and-Run Accident
Earlier this month, a New Mexico driver caused a serious accident when he ran a stop sign and crashed into a car carrying a family. The victims were a woman, her five-year-old son, and her eight-year-old daughter. The children were airlifted to a hospital because they suffered critical injuries.
According to a local news report, the other driver fled the scene of the accident and left his passenger in the car. The passenger admitted to officers that the driver and he had been drinking prior to the accident. When the culpable driver was on the run, he decided to call a family friend to escort him back to the scene of the accident. Officers questioned him with regard to his alcohol intake, but the driver denied being drunk. However, he was nonetheless arrested and taken back to the station. A court summary revealed that the driver had been convicted of drunk driving in 2007, at which time his blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit. At that time, he served probation and was required to complete a rehab program. For this current incident, he has been charged with several offenses, including aggravated DWI.
Have You Been a Victim of a Hit-and-Run Truck Accident in New Mexico?
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a hit-and-run car or truck accident in New Mexico, you should immediately report the incident to law enforcement and consult with one of the dedicated attorneys at the Fine Law Firm. If you have been injured in this sort of accident, time is of the essence. If the culpable party is caught, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries you sustained. Furthermore, in these types of cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages. Contact an attorney at the Fine Law Firm today at 800-640-6590 to schedule your free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Risks Associated with Fatigued Truck Drivers in New Mexico, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 28, 2016.
Truck Accidents Occurring in Parking Lots, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 13, 2016.