It is illegal to leave the scene of the accident without following the required steps.
Once the accident happens, the parties involved should stop at the scene or a short distance away.
If it’s possible to do so without obstructing the rest of the traffic, this is recommended.
The drivers should then exchange their information, that is their names, vehicle registration numbers, and addresses.
Once this is done if there are any injured parties, dial 911.
The unharmed parties should remain at the scene of the crime and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
The reasonable amount of time considered to wait is no less than half an hour.
If a hit and run happens when a driver is not present, say at a parking lot, then the responsible party needs to write their details on a piece of paper then place it somewhere that the other driver will be able to see.
Apart from the necessary details, there should be a statement describing how the accident occurred.
Leaving the scene of the crime if there has been property damage is a class C felony in Arkansas, and can incur a fine of up to 500 dollars or 30 days in county jail.
The driver may also be charged with a misdemeanor.
If the accident results in death or injury, it is classified as a class D felony and can result in the guilty party’s license being revoked.
There may also be a fine of up to ten thousand dollars and a maximum of six years in prison, depending on the circumstances.
