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Failure to Render Aid

Many state laws make it a crime for a person to fail to stop and render aid to injured parties when that person was operating a vehicle involved in a traffic collision. Because failure to stop and render aid is a felony crime, the driver is subject to imprisonment.

SIDEBAR: "Good Samaritan" laws protect medical personnel, and sometimes others, who render aid in an emergency situation. A rescuer who attempts to assist an accident victim cannot be held liable for negligence if their assistance worsens the victim's injuries.