hit-and-run accidents

6 Steps to Take If You’re A Victim of a Hit-and-Run

October 27, 2026 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Under most circumstances when you are involved in an accident you pull over, if possible, then exchange insurance information with the other driver. But what if the other driver leaves the scene? Can you still file a lawsuit in a hit and run accident when you don’t know who the other driver is? Yes, you can still file a lawsuit if you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident and do not know the identity of the other driver.

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, whether you are a driver, cyclist or pedestrian, your first step is to check yourself and any passengers you may have for injuries. Understand that shock can mask injuries.
If able, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe place away from traffic, call 911 to report the accident and request medical attention, if necessary.

Motor Vehicle Accidents – What Happens When the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured

March 20, 2026 | Kearns Rotolo Law

New Jersey law requires all drivers to carry motor vehicle insurance. Despite this, there is a significant number of drivers who are uninsured, or underinsured.

New Jersey requires the following mandatory coverage:

Liability insurance – covers damages to another if you are found responsible for the accident.

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

July 18, 2025 | Kearns Rotolo Law

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. . .”

The Consequences of Leaving the Scene

June 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

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.”