Why is it that sometimes, people who are involved in a hit-and-run accident flee from the scene?

Question

Is this a "fight or flight" response?

Of course, some of these individuals run because they may have a warrant or believe that they have warrants out for their arrest. Or, they may think that they will be in danger of losing their freedom or even their lives, since they hit someone while driving.

But what of the people who are actually law abiding citizens, yet still run if they accidentally hit an innocent pedestrian? Why do they do this?

Does the media/news slant coverage to only focus on those specific incidents whereby the perpetrator flees the scene of the accident?

Why does this happen (seemingly) so often?

BE HONEST. This must be hard to imagine- it is one of those novel situations that are hard to fathom unless one actually finds oneself actively involved-

but what would YOU do if you accidentally hit an innocent bystander while operating your vehicle?

Why would you choose that way?

Answer 1

They simply want to try to get away from it. If it works it works.

Answer 2

It must be because they are ashamed and don't want to face the family members or police. Can you imagine how bad you would feel? I am pretty sure I wouldn't flee from the scene because my conscience would kill me. Plus they usually find the people within a few days anyway. It would even be more embarassing to be caught after fleeing the scene.

Answer 3

1)  I would freak out!   2) I would put my emergency flashers on and block the body with my car so no one else would run the victim over, 3)  Call 911 from my cell phone, 4) I would not try to move the victim, but I would get the blanket and pillow out of my trunk (which I always have) and try to make the victim comfortable until the rescue got there, 5) Talk to the victim and try to keep him calm until the rescue got there, 6) Pray that everything is going to be okay, 7)  Call my insurance company, 8) File the accident report, 9) Pray, pray, pray!

Answer 4

I came on the scene of a vehicle who hit an old guy - the drver stayed - I gave first aid and contacted the police and ambulance. THe driver spoke with police and told them that the guy just stepped in front of his car at night in the rain.

Answer 5

This just happened recently in my town-a high school student hit a 76  year old lady on her way to school, and she just went to school. The lady ended up dead, and authorities said that if help would have been called, they likely could have saved her (but she was found quite a bit after the incident).

I think that people think they can "get away" with it. Maybe it is because people don't understand the laws when it comes to this situation. When in reality, if it was a complete accident and they did nothing else wrong, there would be no charges brought upon them.

There is NO WAY I would just leave if I hit someone while driving. I would do everything in my power to make sure the person was okay before help arrived. I would do this because I would want someone to help me if they hit me, and because I could not live with the guilt if I left someone there to possibly die.

I do think that people need to be made aware of the exact laws in this situation...maybe then it wouldn't happen so often.