what to do if driver flee the scene of an accident

Anytime you are involved in a machine accident in New York, yous are required to cease at the scene of the collision. At a minimum, y'all must exchange information with the other driver. Only, if anyone suffered injuries in the accident, you lot must also contact the police immediately. In add-on to complying with the law, exchanging information and calling the police can as well assist with securing insurance coverage. And then, with all of this in heed, what happens if yous leave the scene of a striking-and-run accident?

The answer to this question depends on whether you are the hit-and-run driver or you got hit past a hit-and-run driver and left the scene without calling the police. In either scenario, however, it volition be important for you to consult with a Kingston car accident lawyer at O'Connor & Partners, PLLC every bit presently as possible.

If Yous are the Hitting-and-Run Driver

Penalties for Fleeing the Scene of an Accident in New York

If you caused an accident and left the scene without exchanging information or calling the police, you can face steep penalties under New York law. The specific penalties you could face depend on whether the accident resulted in property damage only, or if someone was injured in the crash.

Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage only is classified as a traffic infraction. This means that it is not a law-breaking that volition leave a stain on your permanent tape. However, if you are bedevilled in court, you could nevertheless face upwards to a $250 file and 15 days in jail.

Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury is a criminal offense in New York. If you leave the scene of an accident, "knowing or having cause to know that personal injury has been caused to another person," you tin be charged with a course A misdemeanor and face up to a $1,000 fine and one twelvemonth in jail. If the accident resulted in "serious" injury, you can be charged with a class E felony (punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and four years of imprisonment); and, if the accident resulted in death, yous tin be charged with a grade D felony (punishable by upward to a $v,000 fine and seven years of imprisonment).

Insurance Consequences of Fleeing the Scene of an Accident in New York

Fleeing the scene of an accident can too go far much more difficult to obtain insurance coverage for the damage to your machine and any injuries you sustained in the collision. Without documentation of the accident, your insurance company may deny coverage on the ground that you lot cannot prove how and when your motorcar got damaged or you got injured. But, you may still have options available; and, to make sure you lot practice everything possible to protect yourself, yous should speak with a Kingston accident lawyer right away.

If You lot Were Hit By a Driver Who Fled the Scene of the Accident

Reporting a Hitting-and-Run Accident to the Constabulary

If y'all were hit by a commuter who fled the scene of the accident, you were probably left feeling helpless on the side of the road. You might accept been unsure of what to do, and you might have decided to go out without calling the law.

If this is the case, you shouldn't be in trouble, only you should still contact the police and report your accident promptly. Yous must too study your accident to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days. When you contact the police, explain what happened, and provide equally much information most the other vehicle as you can.

Seeking Insurance Coverage After a Hit-and-Run Accident

You should also promptly file a claim with your insurance company. Fifty-fifty if you don't have the other driver'due south insurance information, you tin can still seek coverage nether your personal injury protection (PIP) policy. If you lot have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you can use this to seek compensation for your hit-and-run accident besides.

What about identifying the hit-and-run commuter? It is a possibility, and y'all will want to engage a law house to conduct a comprehensive investigation right abroad. Unfortunately, many drivers flee the scene of accidents because they don't accept insurance. Just, you lot may have other options for seeking financial compensation too; and, while you may be facing a challenging road ahead, seeking legal assist is the best matter you can do to improve your chances of recovering financial compensation.

Speak with a Kingston Automobile Accident Lawyer Today for Gratis

If yous demand legal assistance later a hit-and-run accident in New York, you can contact O'Connor & Partners, PLLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with one of our experienced Kingston accident lawyers in confidence, call 845-303-8777 or tell the states how nosotros can attain y'all online now.

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Source: https://www.oconnorpersonalinjury.com/what-if-someone-leaves-scene-of-hit-run-accident/