Why Should I Speak with a Driver After My Accident?

When you are in a car accident with another driver, you may feel frantic and even embarrassed over the whole situation. The last thing you may want to do is face them. However, if it is physically safe for you, we strongly urge you to step out of your vehicle and do so. With that said, please continue reading to learn why it is important to speak with the other driver involved in your accident and how an experienced Passaic County car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of August R. Soltis can guide you on the appropriate initiatives.

Why should I speak with the other driver after my car accident?

First of all, everyone’s immediate safety should be your top priority after a car accident. Once you check yourself and confirm you are physically okay, you should ask the other involved driver(s) about their physical conditions. If you see them in pain or visibly injured, you must do your part and dial 911. A dispatcher may send a law enforcement officer and emergency medical technicians to attend to everyone at the scene.

But also, speaking with the other driver is pertinent because you must exchange information for insurance reasons. Specifically, you should give and acquire full names, phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses. Also, auto insurance companies, auto insurance policy numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and vehicle makes, models, and colors. Otherwise, you and the other driver may not have the tools necessary to file an insurance claim and recover a financial payout for your incurred damages.

What happens if I am accused of fleeing the scene of my accident?

Aside from personal health and auto insurance reasons, you must speak with the other driver because otherwise, you may be accused of fleeing the scene of your car accident. The mildest punishments for this may be a driver’s license suspension or revocation, an auto insurance premium increase, points on your driver’s license, and/or restitution to the other driver. But importantly, the state of New Jersey may consider this a punishable criminal offense under certain circumstances. With this, you may be up against the following:

• If you fled after causing property damage, you may be charged with a traffic violation:
  • Fines of up to $600.
  • Jail time of up to 60 days.
• If you fled after causing serious bodily injury, you may be charged with a third-degree indictable offense:
  • Fines of up to $15,000.
  • Prison time of three to five years.
• If you fled after causing a fatality, you may be charged with a second-degree indictable offense:
  • Fines of up to $150,000.
  • Prison time of five to 10 years.

We understand how overwhelming it may be to be put in a tough situation like this one. So please allow us to help you in any way possible. Retain the services of a skilled Passaic County auto accident lawyer from the Law Offices of August R. Soltis today.