hit-and-run accidents

Hit-and-runs are a growing concern across the country and New Jersey is no exception. Now, State lawmakers are considering changes to help curb this trend.

Drivers who flee a crash scene despite State laws requiring them to stay and report any accident involving injuries, fatalities or property damage valued at more than $500, face the possibility of being charged with a third-degree crime (for accidents resulting in physical injuries) or a second-degree crime (for accidents resulting in fatalities).

Because leaving the scene prolongs the investigation into that accident and, more importantly, can delay getting aid and other assistance to the victims, some say existing laws don’t provide enough of a deterrent. To learn what NJ lawmakers are currently considering read, “New Jersey’s Push for Stricter Hit-and-Run Penalties. . .”

Most drivers know that if they are involved in a crash, the right thing to do is remain calm, assess the situation, and report the accident to the proper authorities. Running is never the answer. Still, according to the AAA, the number of hit-and-run accidents has been on the rise across the nation recently.

Leaving the scene of an accident, no matter how minor, can only complicate the consequences. New Jersey law states that anyone who leaves the scene after hitting a person or property could be charged with a hit-and-run. This holds true even if you only hit a mailbox or sideswipe a parked car. The consequences of these charges are in addition to any charges resulting from the accident itself and will vary depending on the severity of the crash. To learn more about what leaving the scene of an accident could cost you, read “What to do after a hit-and-run in New Jersey.”

Articles Tagged with hit-and-run accidents

Are New Jersey’s Hit-and-Run Penalties Too Lenient?

The Consequences of Leaving the Scene