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ChatAccording to WPRI reports, Providence Police have criminally charged a 34-year-old driver for failing to stop at the scene of a car accident (“hit-and-run”) after they struck and killed a pedestrian.
This accident occurred on North Main Street, just before 10:00pm on Valentine’s Day. While details of the accident are scarce, we know that the driver turned themselves in two days later and was charged with:
- Failure to stop in an accident resulting in personal injury,
- Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration,
- Operating a motor vehicle without insurance,
- Failure to render aid, and
- A right of way in crosswalks violation.
The driver’s criminal charges are representative of top reasons why hit-and-run drivers flee the scene after a car accident. Drivers are often uninsured, or driving on a suspended or revoked license. Other reasons at-fault drivers leave the scene include: driving under the influence, outstanding warrants for the driver’s arrest, illegal goods or drugs in the car, or even because the driver’s illegal immigrant status. Hit-and-run drivers often flee out of sheer panic, as a “fight or flight” response as well.
Like the driver involved in this car accident, many Rhode Island drivers drive uninsured. As of 2019, 16.5% of drivers in Rhode Island are uninsured. Not only is this higher than the 12.6% national average, but Rhode Island has the 11th highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the U.S. Additionally, car accidents involving pedestrians are also on the rise. Pedestrian motor vehicle accident deaths have risen 59% since 2009 and account for 17% of all crash fatalities.
There are four major aspects of this car accident to consider. First, this was a hit-and-run car accident. While hit-and-run accidents can happen between vehicles, this one involved a pedestrian. This case also deals with an uninsured motorist, which poses financial recovery obstacles, especially in dealing with trickster insurance companies. Lastly, since the victim passed away as a result of the hit-and-run accident, their family may have a viable wrongful death claim.
I have successfully litigated hit-and-run cases that included some – or all – of these aspects. If you or a loved one find yourself in a similar situation, take the guesswork and headache out of assessing your claims, and focus on recovering. Call us anytime and Bottaro Injury Lawyers will assess your case, free of charge.
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