Driver Duty in an Accident

All states including the state of Alaska have in place statutes that govern what is expected of a driver in the event he/she is involved in an accident. Each driver has a duty he/she must fulfill in accordance to such statutes when an accident occurs. This article will focus on the duties set out in the Alaska Statutes 28.35.060 under the title Motor Vehicles. 

When a car accident occurs, a driver has a duty to give information and to render help. A driver involved in a vehicle accident that results in injury or death to any person, which includes other drivers, passengers and/or pedestrians, has the duty to share certain information including their name, their address and the vehicle license number.  

The driver must give assistance to any person injured in the accident. Though the driver may not have medical experience, he/she ought to give reasonable assistance, which may include making arrangements to have the injured person transferred to a physician or hospital for medical attention, if such is required for their injuries. 

For accidents that occur and result in death, personal injury or substantial bodily injury, the driver must stop immediately and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver fulfills the following requirements:

This information is to be provided to anyone injured in the accident or to the driver involved in the accident. Further, reasonable assistance must be given to any injured persons.

Accidents which occur and result in property and/or vehicle damage require the driver to stop immediately and remain at the scene until the driver fulfills the duty of providing their name, their address and the vehicle license number to the person involved in the accident. 

Accidents which occur and result in the damage to an unattended vehicle or unattended property require that the driver stop immediately and attempt to locate the owner of the vehicle or property. A reasonable effort must be made to locate the owner. Upon locating the owner, the driver must notify the owner of the damage to his/her vehicle or property. The driver must further provide, his/her name, their address and the vehicle license number. 

If the driver or owner of the damaged vehicle or property cannot be located, after reasonable effort is made to locate him/her, the driver who caused the accident or damage must attach a written note to the damaged property or vehicle in a visible place. The written note will outline the circumstances that led to the accident and the name of the driver who caused the accident, the name of the owner of the vehicle that caused the accident, the license number and address. 

Each driver has the duty to fulfil the requirements set out in the motor vehicle statutes, and failure to do so may result in points and a penalty. If you are involved in an accident and are choosing a personal injury lawyer, look for one with experience to assist you with your claim. 

If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Alaska, the author recommends the Crowson Law Group.