This absolutely sickens me. I have been in this situation and not acting on it would have been unthinkable.

This is the problem with the bystander effect.

I was under the impression that we did have such a law...or at least a penalty for a similar crime... Seinfeld anyone?

You have to consider the fact that this is a lawsuit happy country. If you do come to someone's aid, you could be sued for aiding incorrectly, or administering medical attention when you are not licensed to do so. Plus, we've all been taught not to touch or move someone for the possibility of spinal cord injuries. Sounds great to be able to come to the rescue, but in our society, it's not so easy.

it's true that we live in a lawsuit happy society, but i think the least a person can do is approach the victim, see if they are breathing and at least be someone closer than 3 feet away to talk to them until someone arrives (and keep them alert if necessary). crazy. people are crazy.

I saw this video earlier and it turned my stomach. I cannot imagine hitting a guy with my car in the middle of a busy street and then driving off. And at the VERY least, someone should've stopped traffic. What if another car came by and ran him over?! I hope the people of Hartford that stood by and did nothing feel a little bit ashamed at getting this sort of national attention.

I took a spill one time in Walmart (big klutz that I am wearing slippery shoes) and was dazed on the ground for a bit. Nobody bothered to help me or even express concern. Everyone around me just stared. In fact one guy just drove his cart around me. I was horrified at the people around me then I was embarrassed.

I totally agree that people should have done something, ANYTHING besides just standing there. What the heck?! I can't believe that I just watched something like that. My fiance's mother recently saw an accident (where a woman was laying in the street) in a really bad neighborhood where a store owner ran out of his store, leaving it completely unattended to stop traffic and help. It's too bad that not every situation ends up like that.

As other have said, people are afraid of getting sued. If the poor man passed away and you had moved him, his family or estate could sue. I can't say how I would react in a given situation, but I'd like to think I would have at LEAST pulled out my cell phone to call authorities and stood in the way of traffic.

"You have to consider the fact that this is a lawsuit happy country. If you do come to someone's aid, you could be sued for aiding incorrectly, or administering medical attention when you are not licensed to do so."

Thats right. In fact, in states like Mass., if you come to someone's aid and they die anyway, the family can sue you for helping. Its actually better for yourself not to help. Its absolutely ridiculous.

Plus I would hope that I would call 911 and block traffic, but after seeing something like that? I dunno. I might be in too much immediate shock.

This is just a shame. I saw this on the news this morning, and unfortunately, the man is paralyzed from the neck down.

People would seriously rather let someone die than to be sued? How often does it happen that people genuinely trying to help get sued anyway? I'm curious what the actual cases are too, because that sure sounds like some sensational story that the defendant's attorney would come up with to save his client's butt.

I'll give these people a benefit of a doubt... for now. I'm sure there was an element of shock which causes people to freeze, but that lasts for only a few seconds. But maybe after seeing someone getting nailed like that, people might have somehow lost all logic and became terrified that the same thing will happen to them if they tried to help him. Who knows?

However, I think it's more likely that this reaction is indicative of a society populated by individuals that are growing more selfish and less concerned for their fellow man. True everyday heroes are becoming extinct.

Here's what I think - obviously I'd like to think that I'd approach him, standing in front of oncoming traffic, and ask him if he's okay. But I think my first couple of instincts would be oh my god he's dead, and I'm not really sure how I'd honestly react if I thought I saw someone die in front of me, I might be frozen to the spot. My second thought would be if I move him I'm going to really hurt him, so I need to make sure not to touch him (I wouldn't even for a pulse). I'm not sure it's a lawsuit happy society thing (does where this took place have a Good Samaritan law? Indiana does) because that's a pretty deep thought for what happened in exactly one minute. I'd say that none of us were there and know exactly how we'd react. And actually, calling 911 was probably the best they could do - I agree that talking to him and blocking traffic would have helped, but they contacted police and ambulances and that's what he needed.

I don't care how lawsuit happy we as a society is. I can only say for myself that I would much rather help someone than stand by and do nothing. And if I were laying on the ground like that I'd rather someone try to help me as well than stand by and do nothing. Sickening.

The scary thing is that he was hit by a car crossing the center line....were they just trying to pass the car in front of them, or did they swerve into the lane to hit him intentionally? I could see where one might be afraid of also being hit if they tried to wave traffic around him, but I know I wouldn't be able to just stand there and watch. That is just awful.

Also, it is hard to tell how you'll react to certain situations without being in them. I always thought I had great emergency instincts and was very tough, but once I was in Chicago walking down the street, and across the road two kids came running around the corner and one shot at the other about 3 times. I just stood there, starring. My husband had jumped behind a parked car, and had to come grab me because I was just standing there. It really upset me that my instincts failed me.

After having my x beat the crap out of me on a regular basis and nobody ever coming to my aid, I'm a bit sensitive to this issue. It just ticks me off that people won't help others when they clearly need it.

I think the cars were chasing eachother, playing in traffic, probably teens or in thier 20's thereabout.

My grandparents live in Hartford, and its a beautiful city, this certainly makes the people there look ugly. There was a ringling bros circus fire there in 1944 that killed 168 people, but many were saved thanks to brave individuals that werent afraid to step forward and help another human being no matter what the cost, in that instance thier own lives were at stake, in this instance people were probably afraid of "getting involved" which would mean to put someone elses needs in front of thier own. SHAME ON YOU bystanders. I agree with some posters that there was probably an issue of shock but it goes away....that poor man needed comforting, protection and someone to hold his hand.

i thought of seinfeld too! these people are sick and should all be blamed for his death. what the hell is wrong with people? do we really need to carry end user agreements with us everywhere we go now just to avoid being sued?

"Hi, I want to help you because I can see you were just hit by a car, but could you please first sign this statement to guarantee you will not press charges if I bruise one of your ribs giving you CPR? No, sorry I don't have a pen. Why don't you just sign using the blood that is streaming from your mouth?"

if this is truly representative of a lack of helpfulness in the general public in a situation like this we are going to be in BIG trouble if and when things get bad in this country and we really need to rely on one another for assistance. i am again reminded of that book 'the road' and what it says about human nature. UGH!!!!

I feel compelled to help people pick up loose change when they drop it- I can't imagine standing by and watching a man lying in the street injured and not try to help him.

And I'm really appalled that there are laws that make it prohibitive to help someone.

Kim, that is so sad to hear. I am glad he is your ex.

I am surprised that no one tried to direct traffic around his body. I saw a bicyclist get hit my a car a few months ago, and I tried to call 911 while others went to the person. We couldn't move her because she certainly had a broken leg and possible neck injuries. My 911 call wasn't connecting, and someone else was able to reach them, so I started directing traffic to move around the car and bicyclist until paramedics and police came. We all gave them our account of what happened.

This is a very scary video.

I would like to think that I would have stopped traffic and called 911. I'm no paramedic or doctor but the least you could do is talk to him to see if you get a response.

If I had been in one of the cars behind the one that hit him, I would hope I would have followed the guilty car to get the plate number. This guy will probably get away with crippling another human being because everyone was so apathetic.

The fact that he basically had to swerve to hit the guy and drove over the line is kinda scary. What was he trying to do, pass?

They wouldn't even walk over to him and talk him through it....yea, thats trifling. People can't sue you for walking over to someone and seeing if their ok without actually moving them.

This disgusts me.

I won't even watch this video, I know it's just going to make me angry. Sheep, all of 'em.

I saw this on the news this morning. Unbelievable. Cars were actually swerving around him and moving on. How could anyone just ignore him lying there?

How hard is it to make a cell phone call? I think they should be arrested for criminal neglect.

I hope that damn driver is caught - holy crap.

But we do live in a lawsuit-happy country, so I can see briefly thinking twice about what to do but come ON!!! At least make the 911 call, scream "HELP" and divert another car from hitting the poor man! You wouldn't be sued for that?

This video is horrible. Everyone in it should be ashamed.

There are plenty of examples of the bystander effect, this being the latest one. I remember from psych class that woman who was raped and stabbed by a murderer and dozens of witnesses heard her cries, yet no one helped. Everyone assumes someone else will help. In this situation, however, it was apparent no one was helping. It would be nice to think that at least one lone human would summon the compassion to jump in to action immediately, instead of milling about and taking time in approaching apprehensively.

As for the lawsuit argument, I hope that wouldn't even cross my mind if I were in such a similar situation and a fellow human needed my help.

The video was sadly depressing and shocking and I agree with freegrace that it is fairly indicative "of a society populated by individuals that are growing more selfish and less concerned for their fellow man...." I think it may be a bit financially prejudice as well. I wonder if they would have directed traffic if it had been a celebrity....like George Clooney and his girlfriend.

And, there are laws protecting the good samaratan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law

"Good Samaritan laws (acts) in the United States and Canada are laws/acts protecting from blame those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death."

The caveat is the law only applies if you help as a good samaritan and don't take payment for helping.

This is where lawyers and judges need to be held accountable too. Juries as well. Settlements have gotten out of hand and unbelievable amounts of money are awarded for the most incongruous incidents. Stories like these always upset me because I seem to happen upon or be a part of accidents more than anyone else I know. First time I came across a person in the street I was only 17. The last a couple months ago in the form of a dead homeless person. All in total 8. I actually carry a roper's knife in my purse because I have actually had to use it to cut a driver out of their seat belt has his truck burned. I don't know why I come across these things, but I have over the years resigned myself to always be prepared and always do all I can do. So I know the ease with which we can help our fellow man, so these people sicken me. They better pray they never need help in that town.

Well first of all it is not a good idea to physically move someone after a trauma such as this. It is right to wait for the medics to arrive. However, there is no excuse for not one person to go out there and comfort the man until help arrived.

I can see that if one person was there talking to the man and comforting him already that everyone else might not bother, but no one bothered and that is truly sad.

People have said after this tragedy that it's small town mentality where everyone knows or knows of each other vs. big city where every one is just a number. I say you don't need to be in a small town to feel community. Start by having dinner around the table with your family, by doing volunteer work, team sports, saying hello to your neighbors all of this builds a sense of community.

Well no one said they had to move him but seriously you could have made sure no other car hit him, could have called the police, and even talked to him calmly until help arrive. It might have helped him to hear someone. I was once walking in Chicago and a witness a drive by and a lady didn't know that it was gun fire. I dragged her with me as I hit the ground. I don't care what they say about lawsuits - how can you just stand there and stare and gawk. You could at least call the police or even talked to the guy. Things are going to happen but I would feel even bad if I stood there and did nothing but look. You can't even be a good witness what will your answer be - I was looking at him and I didn't see anything. This is what saddens me about our world.

On a side note it seems the car was trying to pass another one. I can't believe the cars just kept going, I wonder if anyone could have tried to follow the guy.

This is just so sad. I would like to believe that if even one person stepped forward to help, other people would have fallen in and helped too. That's the thing about the bystander effect - people actually want to help and will follow instructions and a clear leader, but don't know what to do on their own.

I can't really wrap my brain around that, though. How does it not occur to even one person to go out there and protect him from traffic...?

That video really shocks me. And in some ways it doesn't. I wouldn't be able to just stand there...at the very LEAST hold his hand while you wait for paramedics to get there. It's a very lonely feeling to be injured and have absolutely NO ONE there to comfort you.

I saw a video a while back from another country...a man was hit on his motorcycle and killed in an intersection. NOT ONE person stopped, and he was hit multiple times. They treated his body like trash in the street.

I just don't understand how that's even possible. I see an injured animal and I'll stop.

I saw this video on channel 12 news the other night; I was disgusted at how people just looked at the man and walked away. I could NEVER do that to a being, I would be the first one calling for help. This angered me so badly; it shows how humans are losing their morals.

Terryt18, the story of Kitty Genovese is indeed EXTREMELY upsetting. It makes me sad to know that people will just watch, but oftentimes it is true that masses of people will think that someone has already taken care of the situation, that help is on the way, or that someone more better prepared will help. Of course, this does not justify people's actions, but it does rationalize what's in the minds of people.

And to be quite frank, how many of us have passed a car accident on the highway just to rubberneck and then move on? One good article that I read about recently was s pseudo-Psychology experiment in which the doors of a mall had Missing Child signs taped on them. Right beyond the doors was the "missing girl" (who was actually planted there). What the study sought to learn was how many people would: a) notice the little girl and then b) do something about it. Through the time the study was conducted, only TWO people came up to the little girl to ask if she was okay. Many people saw the signs and her, but then just walked away. How's that for the bystander effect in a situation where there isn't even a high possibility of being sued for accidentally physically injuring the victim?!

I wish that we as a society were more in tune with helping others, but we have become desensitized and put millions of reasons in our mind for why our helping is not a bad thing.

i learned about the bystander effect in psychology. everybody thinks that somebody else will call! when i got hit by a car everybody stopped on both sides of the road and the driver was going slooww as hell. i was luckly a person collected my psp and my sandals, idk i felt so loved!! sad i know.

hit and runs are not cool and they way the cars and scooters kept driving is truly sad. i can't believe the society we live in, makes me scared to have children.

I'm not gonna lie i'd be shocked for like 2 seconds but then i would go out and help or at least call someone!!

10 cars and a scooter passed till the police officer came, i counted. so sad

Just stop the darn traffic!
And that scooter! Drove right up to look at the guy!
The poor victim could have been run over several times.

Gosh, i have to agree with everyone else, so, so shocking and sad. I would have assumed that seeing something like that happen in front of you would indeed go into shock, but that the shock would manifest itself in quite the opposite way, ie, you would instinctively run to the person without a moments thought for your own safety or the possible future repercussions of your actions. As everyone else has pointed out, after such a serious accident most people would know better than to try and administer any kind of first aid, but you would at least hold his hand and talk to him to keep him conscious. Everyone knows how important that is!!

As Bluesara said, I wouldn't leave an animal in that state (and I have a beautiful three-legged kitty who will attest to that)

What is wrong with people? I can understand not wanting to move someone for fear of worsening their injuries, but the least you can do is call 911 and direct traffic around the man. How can you tell if he's even breathing from across the street? It's absolutely deplorable that out of a crowd that size, only four people called 911.

It's a shame that we have become so unidentifiable. We don't really know our neighbors, we don't try to meet people in the streets. We are so self-absorbed that we can now say to things like this: "This isn't my problem."

It's stinks to be without the internet at church functions...

And it will only get worse, I'm afraid. With the fast paced, manic lifestyle we are all expected to have. With my cancer I have a whole new lease on life. I am going to smell the roses damn it. I am going to just stare at my child as she colors in her coloring books. I am going to be the silly mom who does anything to make her kids laugh. I am going to instill in her that nothing comes above kindness and love.

Collegegirl, it's because everyone has the mindset that someone else will call or someone else will help. The problem with this though is that if truly everyone has this belief, no one will get help.

it may not be the law, but it disgusting that as a human you could just watch someone die, never even trying to assist them. With the amount of witnesses present, effort could have been made to AT LEAST check if he was breathing.

Also, I really hope the people in that video are getting flack from neighbors and everyone for the lack of action. They should not get away with this either.

I'm sorry but I don't care if someone sues me. I'm helping. I'd rather be sued for trying to help than do nothing at all. I'm actually really glad that the videos don't work on my computer at work. I'm truly sickened.

I remember when I was a little kid and I fainted on the playground because of sunstroke ... and when I came through there were kids kicking sand on me and nudging me with their feet to get up. No one bothered to call one of the playground supervisors to say I had fainted.

Thus, I have no faith in people actually doing anything to help people who are injured or sick unless they get something out of it, like being on the front page for being a "Good Samaritan".