Driver Hits Fence and Flees Scene
AUSTIN, Texas – Wednesday afternoon, police responded to an apartment complex in the northeast section of the city after a vehicle struck a fence on the property.
According to a report released by the Austin Police Department, an SUV crashed into the fence on the complex in the 1900 block of East Anderson Lane. The accident occurred near Highway 183, between Highway 290 and Cameron Road.
Upon arriving on scene, officers were unable to locate the driver of the vehicle. That driver fled the scene, leaving behind an injured passenger. Because the passenger sustained injuries, the driver, when found, could be charged with a failure to render aid.
Driver Responsibilities After Accident
If you are the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident, whether the accident was your fault or the blame lies with the other driver, it is your responsibility to make sure your passengers are uninjured if you are physically able to do so. To flee the scene or ignore the status of your passengers could, in some cases, result in criminal charges being laid on your shoulders.
Immediately after you assess your own injuries, assess those of your passengers. You should call for emergency assistance if someone has not already made that phone call for you. If your passengers are injured, administer first aid as necessary. If anyone complains of shoulder, neck, back, or head pain, advise them to remain still until help arrives.
If anyone in your vehicle has lost consciousness, do not attempt to move that person unless the situation dictates that movement is an absolute necessity. If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, administer CPR if you are knowledgeable in its delivery.
Your Liability
In many cases, you can be held liable for your passenger’s injuries if your negligence or actions caused the accident. This is why you have insurance. The injured passenger must show proof that your actions caused the accident or that you had reasonable knowledge that your behavior could cause an accident.
In the instance that you are not found at fault for the accident, the other driver may be found liable for injuries sustained to you or your passengers. An experienced attorney can review the details of your case and determine the best course of action to be taken. If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact our offices as soon as possible. We are here for you.