If You are Involved in a Crash in Minnesota, You Must Stop
The driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident with a bicycle that results in “immediately demonstrable bodily injury” to the bicyclist must stop or be in violation of Minnesota law (Minnesota Stat. 169.09, Subd. 1).
Under the law, the driver must:
- Stop at the scene of the accident, or as close to the scene as possible but shall then return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident, until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of this section as to the giving of information;
- Stop in a way that does not unnecessarily obstruct traffic;
- Render reasonable assistance to any individual injured in the accident.
Violation of this law is a criminal offense. In a civil lawsuit for money damages (which is separate from the criminal case), hit and run can be grounds for punitive damages, which means the person injured can seek compensation in an amount meant to punish the wrongdoer.
Recent News
A pickup truck hit a bicyclist in Dakota County and then fled. The accident happened yesterday on 250th Street West at Highview Avenue in Eureka Township.
A MN man was riding home from work when he was run over from behind by a pickup truck, according to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. He is in critical condition.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with any information to call 651-438-4721.