Hitting a pedestrian - legal responsibility and consequences
Potrącenie pieszego to jedno z najpoważniejszych zdarzeń drogowych, które niesie ze sobą dramatyczne konsekwencje dla wszystkich uczestników. Wbrew powszechnym przekonaniom, kierowca nie zawsze ponosi pełną odpowiedzialność za wypadek – polskie prawo szczegółowo reguluje różne sytuacje i stopnie winy.
Legal bases for liability
Penal Code - Article 177
Article 177 of the Criminal Code provides the basis for criminal liability for hitting a pedestrian. According to § 1, whoever, in violation of the rules of safety in traffic causes an accident unintentionally in which another person is injured, shall be liable to imprisonment for up to 3 years.
Graduation of responsibility
W przypadku gdy pieszy poniesie śmierć lub dozna ciężkiego uszczerbku na zdrowiu, kara jest znacznie surowsza – od 6 miesięcy do 8 lat pozbawienia wolności. Artykuł 177 KK nie precyzuje miejsca potrącenia, odnosząc się do każdego wypadku drogowego z udziałem pieszego.
Legal classification of the event
Whether a hit-and-run is treated as a misdemeanour or an offence depends mainly on the consequences of the incident. If the injuries require medical treatment lasting more than 7 days, we are dealing with a criminal offence.
Administrative fines and penalties
Failure to yield the right of way in lanes
For failing to give precedence to a pedestrian at a crosswalk, a driver can receive a fine of £1,500 and 10 to 15 penalty points. The maximum fine may amount to PLN 2,500, consisting of mandate for forcing a priority and penalties for causing a danger on the road.
Collision without injury
If a driver hits a pedestrian but the pedestrian is not injured, the situation can be classified as an offence. The driver may receive a fine of up to £5,000 and between 10 and 15 penalty points for causing a traffic hazard.
Recidivism
In the case of repeat offences, i.e. at least a second serious offence on the road, the maximum fine can be £3,000 and the next threshold is £6,000.
Is the driver always at fault?
Co-infringement of the pedestrian
The driver's liability may be limited if it is proven that the pedestrian contributed to the accident by his or her wrongful conduct. In this case, liability may be apportioned in proportion to the degree of fault of both parties.
Situations of exemption from liability
The driver's liability towards the pedestrian is excluded if the incident occurred due to force majeure, solely due to the fault of the injured party, or if the accident occurred solely due to the fault of a third party.
Examples of inappropriate pedestrian behaviour
Situations in which a pedestrian may be considered complicit include: crossing the road contrary to traffic lights, suddenly stepping onto the roadway without ensuring safety, or crossing in a prohibited place.
Factors influencing the penalty
Circumstances of the incident
The courts consider a number of factors when hearing hit-and-run cases: the degree of culpability of the offender, the behaviour of the pedestrian, the consequences of the accident, the circumstances of the incident and the attitude of the offender after the accident.
State of intoxication
The most severe penalties are pedestrian hit-and-runs when the driver was under the influence of intoxicants. A state of intoxication is defined as an alcohol content in the blood exceeding 0.5 per mille or in the exhaled air exceeding 0.25 mg.
Place of incident
Hitting a pedestrian in the lanes in terms of punishment is no different from incidents on other parts of the road. The law assesses hit-and-run incidents outside of crosswalks differently, taking into account the fault of the pedestrian.
Post-accident management
Responsibilities of the driver
When hitting a pedestrian, even a slight one, it is imperative to call the police and an ambulance. It is very important to leave the scene of the collision intact until the police arrive.
Fleeing the scene of an accident
One of the most serious offences is fleeing the scene of an accident. This can result in additional criminal charges and a much harsher penalty.
Cooperation with authorities
Kluczowe znaczenie ma postawa kierowcy po wypadku – czy udzielił pomocy poszkodowanemu, wezwał służby ratunkowe i współpracował z policją. Te czynniki są brane pod uwagę przy ustalaniu wymiaru kary.
Civil liability and insurance
Compensation
Kierowca ponosi również odpowiedzialność cywilną, co oznacza obowiązek wypłaty odszkodowania poszkodowanemu pieszemu. Odszkodowanie obejmuje koszty leczenia, rehabilitacji, a w przypadku śmierci – wsparcie finansowe dla rodziny.
The role of third party insurance
W większości przypadków świadczenia wypłacane są z polisy OC, jednak ubezpieczyciel może odmówić wypłaty lub zażądać zwrotu pieniędzy od sprawcy – na przykład, jeśli kierowca był pod wpływem alkoholu lub zbiegł z miejsca wypadku.
Contribution of the victim
The insurer has the right to reduce the compensation if it considers that the injured party has contributed to the damage. Contribution is determined on a percentage basis.
Prevention and modern technology
Safety-enhancing systems
Contemporary cars are equipped with advanced safety systems: automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, collision warning and night vision systems. These technologies significantly reduce the risk of being hit.
The role of rental companies in security
Slawa Rent - safety first
At Slawa Rent in Wadowice All our vehicles are equipped with modern safety systems. We carry out regular technical inspections, checking the operation of brakes, lighting and safety assistance systems.
Customer education
We remind each car hire customer of their responsibilities towards pedestrians and the need to take extra care in urban traffic. We also instruct on the correct procedure in the event of an accident.
Support in crisis situations
W przypadku wypadku z udziałem naszych klientów zapewniamy kompleksowe wsparcie – od pomocy w kontakcie z organami ścigania po asystę prawną w sprawach ubezpieczeniowych.
Adequate insurance
Our vehicles are fully insured with third-party liability and AC insurance, providing financial protection for customers in the event of being involved in an accident. In addition, we offer extended packages for enhanced safety.
The most important safety rules
For drivers
It is crucial to be extra cautious of pedestrians, to adapt speed to road conditions, to watch the pedestrian crossings and to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Regulatory changes from 2021
As of 1 June 2021, revised regulations strengthening pedestrian protection are in force. A pedestrian has priority not only when crossing a crosswalk, but also when entering it.
Social responsibility
Road safety is the shared responsibility of all road users. Both drivers and pedestrians must obey the rules and show mutual caution.
A pedestrian hit-and-run is a tragic event that can largely be avoided by following the law, exercising caution and using modern safety technology. Knowing the law and the consequences helps you to make responsible decisions behind the wheel.
Slawa Rent – Wypożyczalnia Cars
Wadowice
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