Leaving an accident

You never know what you're capable of until you dive balls-deep into the situation. When you're in the moment and instinct and adrenaline takes over you're beside yourself.

Living with the guilt of having done nothing could possibly be worse that what you may have seen.

 

Hi jerezxp, aside from that, how was the Harley ride? ( aside from that, how'd you like the play Mrs. Lincoln) In all my years of driving, I've come across relatively few really bad situations, ( and lots of minor ones)and I'm like you, I don't do well with blood and guts. Law enforcement usually isn't far away, (especially with cell phones) unless you are in an area where there is nobody around, then I'd help. Kind of a tough call.

 

As a general rule you're fine not getting involved and unless the car is on fire it's best if you leave people in the car. Either way I would call 911 and wait on scene until police took my statement and released me.

 

There are states, especially in the sparsely populated wide open spaces out west, where you are required to stop and render aid to the best of your ability...even if that is only making a phone call, directing traffic, etc. In these states, if somebody got your plate and reported you, penalties will vary from one state to the next but generally speaking you'd be in trouble. Something else to consider, too, if you are in the immediate proximity of the crash, and "witnesses" see you fleeing the scene, they may assume you were involved and didn't want to stick around long enough for the cops to talk to you. In that case, you may be sought after either as a suspect, person of interest, or simply a witness if there were serious injuries or fatalities involved.

In any case, it is pretty pathetic to not render aid. When you choose to ignore what just happened and drive on, you're basically saying your time is more valuable than the life/lives of the people in the wrecked vehicles.

 

I don't think anybody wants to see mangled bodies, but we really should stop to help out, especially if we are the only ones on the scene.

 

Could you please cite the law requiring someone to render aid from any of the states you have in mind? Thanks.