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Home / Blog / What Happens If You Leave the Scene of a Hit and Run Car Accident?

What Happens If You Leave the Scene of a Hit and Run Car Accident?

Car speed display.Accidents happen, and when they do, drivers are expected to stay and communicate with the other drivers and people involved, as well as talk to police officers who arrive at the scene. Failure to do these things is legally prosecuted as “leaving the scene of an accident” or a “hit and run.” (These terms are often used somewhat interchangeably.) These charges, if they lead to a conviction, can come with heavy fines or even jail time. They can also stay on your permanent record and make it hard for you to travel and seek employment.

Here are some relevant details of New Jersey law concerning hit and run charges:

If an accident results in damage to property or another vehicle, the driver may face a fine ranging from $200 to $400 and may face jail time of up to 3 months. The driver may also lose his or her driver’s license for six months after a first offense. A second offense for the same charge means the driver will lose his or her license for a year.

For leaving a scene where someone was injured or killed, the penalties are understandably more serious. The driver can be fined between $2,500 and $5,000, in addition to facing jail time of up to 6 months. The driver may also lose his or her license for a year from the time of conviction. If a subsequent conviction occurs the driver will permanently lose his or her state driver’s license. This can also lead to time in prison.

If you’ve left the scene of an accident, you want to seek a course correction as soon as possible by taking proper action, and you do have rights. Talk to an auto accident attorney and tell them all the details of your particular case so they can help you get back on the right track and minimize your consequences.

Find an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in New Jersey

Choosing the right legal professional to represent your case could make all the difference. Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC is here to provide the compassionate, personalized service you deserve! We have experience handling even the most complex personal injury cases, with numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements over the years.

To get started, please contact us at 862-205-5125 for a free consultation. We’ll address your questions and concerns and make sure you feel comfortable with our team before moving your case forward.

By ggwmlaw | Published December 7, 2021 | Posted in Uncategorized

$800,000.00 settlement in less than nine (9) months!
In September of 2025, Phil Wiskow settled a legal malpractice case, resulting from a botched personal injury case, for $800,000.00. Most significantly, Mr. Wiskow settled the case less than nine (9) months after the client hired him. Since the client settled his botched case for over $200,000.00, the full amount of the client's recovery exceeded one million dollars.
Settled his 60 year old client’s motorcycle accident case for $1,700,000.00
In the Spring of 2017, Phil Wiskow settled his 60 year old client’s motorcycle accident case for $1,700,000.00. Frankly, the case would have settled for more money but the most culpable party only had a $300,000.00 liability insurance policy. The firm’s client, who was already disabled and receiving social security benefits at the time of his accident, sustained multiple lower leg fractures–which ultimately resulted in numerous surgeries and an above the knee amputation–when a delivery van blindly backed out of a loading dock and pinned his leg against his bike. The majority of the client’s settlement money was paid by the owner of a tractor-trailer and the lessee of the loading dock whose dangerous loading and unloading procedures blocked the van driver’s view of the motorcycle and the firm’s client’s view of the van.
VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS
  • In the Spring of 2020, Phil Wiskow settled a motor vehicle/motorcycle accident case for the Defendant’s 1.3M policy limit. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
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