What Happens if the Other Driver Fled the Scene?

Immediately upon colliding with another vehicle on the road, you may be completely rattled. But once you see the other driver hit the gas and speed away from you, you may be flooded with fear. That is, a scary future might flash before your eyes, where you are left with unpaid medical bills, property damages, and more, all because you could not get the insurance information from the responsible party. Well, if this is you, please continue reading to learn what happens if the other driver involved in your accident has fled the scene and how an experienced Passaic County car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of August R. Soltis can bring justice to this unfortunate set of circumstances.

How will the driver who fled the scene of a car accident be punished?

The other driver may not have even been entirely at fault for your car accident in the first place. But even if they are not held to a civil liability, they may face serious criminal charges if they are found to have fled the scene prematurely. That is, under New Jersey law, a driver is expected to provide their contact and insurance information to another involved driver before exiting. What’s more, they are legally obligated to seek aid if another involved driver has gotten injured or incurred significant property damage. Otherwise, their criminal punishments for a hit-and-run offense may read as follows:

• For a hit-and-run accident that resulted in property damage only:
  • A fine of anywhere between $200 and $400.
  • Jail time of up to 30 days.
  • A driver’s license suspension of six months.
• For a hit-and-run accident that resulted in serious injury:
  • A fine of anywhere between $2,500 and $5,000.
  • Prison time of anywhere between three and five years.
  • A driver’s license suspension of one year.
• For a hit-and-run accident that resulted in death:
  • A fine of up to $150,000.
  • Prison time of anywhere between five and 10 years.
  • A permanent driver’s license revocation.

How can I track down the driver who fled the scene of my accident?

In the heat of the moment, you may feel the personal need to chase down the driver who is attempting to flee the scene, and at the very least, get a look at their license plate number. However, we strongly advise against this. For one, this will technically mean that you are fleeing the scene and committing a hit-and-run offense, as well. Also, you cannot confirm the extent of your injuries and how they might hinder your ability to operate your vehicle. This is not to mention the possible severity of your vehicle’s damage, which may make it unsafe to navigate on the roads.

Rest assured, there are other means of tracking down the other driver. Local law enforcement may work on your behalf to obtain statements from eyewitnesses who might have spotted the make, model, color, and license plate number of the vehicle, along with a general description of the driver’s physical characteristics. In addition, they may acquire traffic camera footage from the surrounding area that captured these physical indicators and the general direction the driver was heading after the crash. Hopefully, they are identified before your statute of limitations runs out (i.e., two years).

If you wish to explore your legal options moving forward, please allow a skilled Passaic County auto accident lawyer from the Law Offices of August R. Soltis to be your guiding force. Please schedule your initial consultation with our firm at the first chance you get.