What Happens if a Truck Driver Flees the Scene of an Accident?

Any time anyone is involved in a collision in Arkansas, they are supposed to remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and have an opportunity to document what happened and who was involved. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it is required under Arkansas law. 

So, what happens if a truck driver flees the scene of an accident?

If you were injured in a truck accident and a truck driver flees the scene of an accident, this does not take away your legal rights. If the truck driver was at fault in the accident, you still can—and should—seek to hold the truck driver or the trucking company fully responsible. With that said, there may be additional challenges involved in asserting your legal rights, and this will make it especially important to hire an experienced Arkansas truck accident attorney as soon as possible. 

What To Do if the Driver Fled the Scene of Your Truck Accident in Arkansas

When a truck driver flees the scene of an accident involving injuries, it is a criminal offense under Arkansas law. However, even if the truck driver who hit you gets convicted of a hit-and-run in court, this will not result in compensation for your accident-related losses. 

Instead, to seek compensation for your losses, you must file a civil claim against the truck driver or the trucking company. 

Of course, to do this, you must be able to identify the truck driver. If the police were able to locate the truck driver, this may simply be a matter of contacting the police station. However, if the police haven’t been able to locate the truck driver, you will need to rely on your attorney to conduct an investigation. With this in mind, in this scenario, you should: 

1. Write Down as Much Information as Possible

Any time you need to seek financial compensation for a truck accident, it is important to write down as much information as possible while the details are still fresh in your mind. However, this is especially important when a truck driver flees the scene of an accident, since every detail could help your attorney track them down. 

In particular, you should write down any information you can recall about the truck itself. Did it have an Arkansas or out-of-state license plate? Did you recognize the logo or branding on the truck? Did it have any other distinguishing characteristics? These are all details that could help with your attorney’s investigation. 

2. Hire a Truck Accident Attorney Right Away

When a truck driver flees the scene of an accident, time is often of the essence. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better chance you have of locating the vehicle and preserving evidence. Because of this, you should hire a truck accident attorney right away. This will help give your attorney the best chance of locating the truck before any damage gets repaired. 

3. Proceed as If You Will Be Able to File a Claim

Even if you don’t currently have any information about the truck, you should proceed as if you will be able to file a claim. Among other things, this means that you should get the treatment you need, and you should be careful to avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your recovery. 

4. Document the Consequences of Your Truck Accident

Along with getting the treatment you need and avoiding potentially costly mistakes, you should also begin documenting the consequences of your truck accident. This includes both the financial consequences (i.e., medical expenses and lost wages) and the non-financial consequences (i.e., pain and suffering) of the crash. If you have thorough documentation of your losses, this will assist your attorney with determining how much you are entitled to recover. 

5. Work With Your Attorney to Maximize Your Chances of Recovery 

Ultimately, regardless of whether your attorney can identify the hit-and-run truck driver, you may have various options for seeking to recover your accident-related losses. With this in mind, you should be prepared to work closely with your attorney to maximize your chances of recovery. By providing your attorney with as much information as possible and making informed decisions when necessary, you can help ensure that your attorney will be able to fight for just compensation by all means available. 

Talk to a Rogers, AR Truck Accident Lawyer for FREE 

Being injured in a truck accident where the driver fled the scene can leave you feeling powerless—but you still have options. The law allows you to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering even when a truck driver flees the scene of an accident, though it often requires thorough investigation. The sooner you involve an experienced truck accident attorney, the better your chances of protecting evidence, locating the driver, and building a strong case.

At Oliver Law Firm, we know how to take on hit-and-run truck accident cases and fight for the justice our clients deserve. 

Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at (479) 202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients across Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.