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When it comes to car accidents, there are several laws in the state of New Jersey that you should know so that you can avoid making a difficult situation worse. Hit and runs are fairly common types of vehicular accidents. Car crashes are not uncommon, but fleeing the scene of the crash is what qualifies as a hit and run.

What is considered a hit and run in New Jersey?

Under New Jersey state law, there are particular rules and regulations that drivers must follow after a car crash. N.J.S.A 39: 4-129 is the statute which tells drivers that they must not leave the scene of the crash. if someone who was involved in the car crash leaves the scene of the crash, that qualifies as a hit-and-run.

 Essentially, if you get into a car accident in the state of New Jersey, you should not leave the scene of the crash.

Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Under New Jersey state law certain penalties can be given to someone who leaves the scene of a car crash that they were involved in.

Damage to property and/or vehicle

If the car accident results in any damage at all to any property or any other vehicles, then the driver responsible for the car crash will face a penalty of a fine. The severity of the damage will impact how much the person is fined, but fines range from $200 to $400. Leaving the scene of a car accident can also put you in jail for up to three months.

The driver who is responsible for the car accident may also lose his or her license for up to six months after their first offense. If another hit-and-run occurs, then the driver responsible may have their license revoked for up to a year.

Additionally, for leaving the scene of a car accident, the driver will have two points added to their license.

Injured Person or Death

If the car accident results in a person being injured or killed, the driver can be fined between $2,500 and $5,000. The driver can also face jail time of up to six months. The driver responsible for the hit-and-run will also have hidden her license suspended for one year from the date of conviction.

If another hit-and-run conviction occurs, the driver will lose his or her rights to a New Jersey driver’s license permanently. Additionally, criminal charges can also come from this situation, resulting in a prison sentence. The driver who is responsible for the hit-and-run will have 8 points added to their license.

What is one required to do after an accident?

Now that we have gone over what you should not do after an accident, here is what you are required to do after a car crash.

Accidents with property damage

If a car accident occurs and there is property damage, then the driver responsible for the damage should immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the crash, or as close to the scene of the crash as possible if the crash site is unsafe to stop the vehicle. Next, the responsible driver should notify the owner of the vehicle or the owner of the property and get their full name, address, and vehicle registration number.

If the person whose property was damaged requests to see the driver who is responsible for the crash’s license, the driver needs to exhibit his or her license to the other party. If law enforcement intervention is necessary, then the driver responsible for the crash needs to provide their license, their registration, their address, and any other information that the investigating police officer requests of them.

If the property that has been damaged in the crash is unattended by the owner, the driver must locate the property owner and then follow the rules listed above, or securely attach in an obvious place in or on the vehicle or property a written notice that provides the above information as well as contact information.

Next, the driver responsible for the crash must then notify the nearest police department or law enforcement agency of the crash.

Accidents with bodily harm

When a car crash results in somebody being injured, the driver must immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the crash or as close as possible to the scene of the crash.  The driver responsible for the crash must give his or her name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver involved in the crash.

If the other party requests to see the driver responsible for the crash’s license or permit, then the driver must comply. If the police arrive, the driver responsible for the crash must comply and give investigating officers your license, registration, address, and any other information that is requested of them.

If it is obvious that the other party requires medical attention or requests medical attention, then the driver should provide “reasonable assistance.” This means taking the injured person or making arrangements for the injured person to get to a hospital, physician, or surgeon for medical or surgical treatment.

If the other driver or person he’s unable to receive the proper information about the crash, the non-injured driver must report the crash to the nearest Police Authority after ensuring the other person receives medical attention.

Defenses for leaving the scene of an accident

●     Disputes as to the identity of the driver

●      Lack of knowledge that a crash occurs

●      The failure to stop was not willful but was dictated by extenuating circumstance

●      The other driver refused to receive identifying information

●      The other driver became belligerent, necessitating that the defendant leave the scene to call the police

●      The assistance rendered was “reasonable” within the meaning of the statute

If you find yourself in a situation where you are convicted of leaving the scene of an accident in New Jersey, hire an attorney through appwinit.com to fight your case.