It is easy to panic if you are in a car crash that might have seriously injured or killed the other driver. You do not know how to handle the situation, and your first instinct may be to flee.
Leaving the scene of an accident in a criminal offense. And, if you leave the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury or a fatality, you may have committed a felony crime.
Maryland law on serious hit-and-runs
Maryland statutes state that if a driver is involved in a crash that they know or should have known might have caused serious bodily injury to another, the driver must remain at the scene of the crash.
An injury is serious if there is a substantial risk of death, if it results in serious disfigurement, if it results in serious loss of function or if it results in serious impairment of function.
Violating this statute could result in a prison sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $3,000. If serious bodily injury occurred, a violation of this statute is a felony and could result in a prison sentence of up to five years and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Maryland law on fatal hit-and-runs
Maryland statutes also state that if a driver is involved in a crash that they know or should have known might have resulted in a fatality, the driver must remain at the scene of the crash.
Violating this statute could result in a prison sentence of up to five years and/or a fine of up to $5,000. If a fatality occurred, violating this statute is a felony crime and could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Avoid the temptation to flee
If you are involved in a car accident, the subsequent fear, shock and confusion make it tempting to simply flee the scene of the crash. Doing so, however, can subject you to serious penalties, especially if the crash caused serious injuries or a fatality.