Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Investigation continues in East Hartford, Connecticut after a tractor trailer driver hit a motorcyclist and fled the scene. The hit-and-run truck accident killed the motorcyclist. There were witnesses at the scene of the crash, but the truck driver has not been found.

According to the American Law Reports, in any automobile accident, most states require the driver of the vehicle to stop and identify his/herself. The driver involved in the accident is also usually required to render such assistance that would be considered reasonable or necessary. Additionally, most states make it a criminal offense to leave the scene of a motor vehicle accident without performing such acts. Meaning, the driver of a "hit and run" accident, such as the case above, will likely be liable for a civil action.

However, for a truck driver to be found criminally liable for a "hit and run" accident, it must be proven that he/she had knowledge of the injury or occurrence that caused damages. Several circumstances can be found to prove knowledge, including firm evidence such as abandoning the vehicle involved in the incident or subjective evidence such as the defendant having nervous or evasive behavior.

The general requirement of proof that the tractor trailer driver knew of the damage or injury can also be determined by relating on what the truck driver reasonably should have known, from the nature of the accident, of the resulting damage or injury of the accident, or that the circumstances were such that a reasonable person would have believed that an accident had occurred resulting in death, damage, or injury to another. An experienced attorney at a truck accident law firm will be able to determine if the knowledge requirement of a "hit and run" accident is fulfilled.