Princeton NJ Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyers
Hit and Run Accident
The state of New Jersey requires a few things in the case of a collision. First, any motorists involved must stop their vehicles and assess the scene. If there is any vehicle or property damage or injury, regardless of the severity, drivers must call the police. All involved parties are required to contact their insurance companies immediately. If no police report is filed, the drivers are responsible for notifying the Motor Vehicle Commission within ten days of the incident.
There are many reasons someone might choose to flee the scene of a New Jersey auto accident, especially if at fault. An unlicensed driver, or someone with a suspended license, might be afraid of the consequences. A new driver with a provisional license might have been operating the car outside the rules of a graduated driver's license (GDL) requirements. For instance, a teen with other minors in the car at the time of the collision might fear the consequences of disobeying the terms of the GDL.
If the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision, they may feel like it is better to try to escape than to face the prospect of jail time, especially if the individual is a repeat offender.
Those with an existing warrant for their arrest may be running from the law already and not think twice about leaving the scene. If the driver was involved in some other illegal activity at the time of the Princeton car crash, such as driving a stolen car or transporting drugs, they may fear facing criminal charges.
Uninsured or underinsured drivers in New Jersey are also prone to leaving the scene of an accident. They do not have sufficient insurance to pay the damages inflicted and cannot afford the rest. They may feel trapped and leave.
Whatever reason compels a driver to leave the scene of a crash, it is not acceptable. Those injured in a hit and run accident might be denied prompt medical care. This puts victims at even greater risk and can cause much greater suffering. Hit and run drivers are not concerned with anyone else's well-being but their own.
Hit and run accidents can be very difficult to investigate because the person involved is actively trying to avoid being found. When the person is found, the penalties are much harsher than they would have been had that person stayed at the scene of the collision and taken responsibility for their actions.
At Lependorf & Silverstein, we have a remarkable legal team that works tirelessly to determine who was at fault for your injuries or the death of your loved one. There is no excuse for leaving the scene of a car accident in New Jersey, and you should not have to suffer even more because this person refuses to do what is right. Call us now for a free and confidential case assessment to determine how we can help.