Paramus Personal Injury Attorneys Handle Hit-and-Run Accidents
Skilled representation when the odds are against your recovery
You know the drill. When an accident occurs, you pull over to the side of the road and exchange license and insurance information with the other driver. If it’s a serious accident, you also call 911 for the police and an ambulance. But what happens when the driver who hits you simply flees the scene? Your vehicle is wrecked, you’re shaken up and possibly injured, and your hope of recovering compensation just swerved onto the south ramp of the Garden State Parkway. If this happens, you mi still recover for your losses if you have skilled legal representation. The proven trial lawyers are Razi & Giampa Law are ready to help.
New Jersey penalties for a hit-and-run accident
Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal, and the offense carries stiff penalties, especially if the crash caused injury or death. Drivers who flee injury accidents face legal sanctions that include:
- Driver’s license suspension — One year for first-time offenders
- Fine — Depending on the severity of the crash, fines range from $2,500 to $5,000
- Possible jail time — Up to 180 days
Additionally, such motorists can face charges for the accident itself, including manslaughter or assault by auto.
Why do some drivers flee the scene of auto accidents?
Given the legal jeopardy a driver faces for fleeing the scene of an accident, why does it happen so often? The top reasons why drivers flee the scene of a crash include:
- Driving a stolen car
- Driving without a license or on a suspended license
- Driving without insurance
- Panic
- Intoxication
- Fear that the accident will trigger a license suspension
- Driver has criminal warrants
In many cases, a hit-and-run driver isn’t the type of person you can deal with rationally after a car crash anyway, so on some level, you’re better off with them gone. Consider that if and when you have to decide whether you want to pursue a fleeing driver.
What to do after a hit-and-run accident
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, you have two important tasks: see to your safety and strengthen your legal case. As for the first job, you must:
- Get the car off the road and to a safe spot
- Call 911 for police and, if you are injured, an ambulance
As for the second task:
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
- Speak to witnesses who might be able to describe the car, take notes, and get their contact information
- Jot down your recollections of the vehicle: make, model, color, license plate number, etc.
- Seek medical treatment immediately to document your injuries
- Report the accident to your insurance company
Finally, you must contact an experienced auto accident attorney who can further investigate your case. Time is of the essence. For example, your crash might have been caught on surveillance tape that will only be available for a limited time before it is erased.
Your road to recovery for a hit-and-run accident in NJ
There are two ways you can recover damages for a hit-and-run accident:
- Sue the driver — There may be enough clues to track down the driver who hit you and initiate legal action. Unfortunately, that driver might be uninsured and without sufficient assets to cover your losses.
- File a claim with your own insurer — If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim for a hit-and-run accident. This puts you in an adversarial position with your own insurance company, so you might not make much progress without determined and skilled legal representation.
The auto accident attorneys at Razi & Giampa are ready to help you in either circumstance. If the driver can be identified and it makes sense to sue, you can rely on our courtroom skills as we pursue justice on your behalf. If you need tough, principled negotiators to secure a fair settlement from your own insurer, we are ready for that also.
Contact Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus for a free hit-and-run accident consultation
Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus provides highly professional and personalized legal services for victims of hit-and-run accidents in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. To schedule a free consultation at our office, in your home, or at the hospital, call us today at 201-534-5011 or contact our firm online.
