Should New York drivers be required by law to provide assistance if they’re involved in a motor vehicle accident?

Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus, D-Brooklyn, says they should. Frontus recently introduced A.6675, titled Jeannie’s Law, in the state Assembly to require drivers to provide reasonable assistance to those they injure in motor vehicle collisions.

According to the bill’s text, reasonable assistance includes taking or making arrangements to take the injured person to a doctor, surgeon or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent treatment is necessary or is requested by the injured person.

Not providing reasonable assistance to an injured person could result in fines depending on the seriousness of the incident. A misdemeanor charge could result in a fine between $500 and $1,000 with a second violation leading to fines between $1,000 and $2,500. Not providing assistance in cases that result in serious injuries could result in a class E felony charge and fines between $1,000 and $5,000 for a first offense. Cases involving another person’s death could lead to fines between $2,000 and $5,000 and other penalties associated with a class D felony, which can be as much as seven years in jail.

Frontus wrote that at least 45 states require drivers to help those they injure in an accident.

“Although leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it is a misdemeanor in New York, the lack of an affirmative duty to assist a victim inhibits the possibility of recovering financial damages via a civil suit,” Frontus wrote in her legislative justification. “Creating a duty to assist would give rise to civil causes of action against drivers who violate the statute. Jeanne’s Law would impose an affirmative duty on drivers, allowing for civil causes of action by victims and their families.”