North Carolina media outlets have been abuzz this year with reports of hit-and-run accidents, including two recent accidents that left two people dead. The incidents demonstrate both the deadly force of moving vehicles and the instinct of drivers to flee from the scene of a car accident.
Tragic hit-and-run accidents
The first incident involved a 36-year old North Carolina man who was fatally struck when he walked into the path of a moving vehicle. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The driver was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run and driving while his license was revoked. The car’s passenger was charged with aiding and abetting a felony hit-and-run.
The second incident tragically resulted in the death of a 21-month-old North Carolina boy. Investigators say that the child was playing in the yard when he wandered to the end of the driveway before being hit by a car. The driver, who drove away without stopping, was apprehended and charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run. The boy’s mother was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
North Carolina statutory law
North Carolina law requires drivers to stop at the scene of an accident in which their vehicle is involved. Hit-and-run drivers, if caught, can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime, and can be held civilly liable for the injuries and property damage that they have caused. As demonstrated by the previously mentioned incidents, hit-and-run accidents can have deadly results and can shatter the lives of those involved.
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run incident, contact an Asheville personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options. The attorneys at Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C. will assist you in filing the best claim for your injuries so that you can receive the compensation that you deserve.