Getting into a fender bender makes your heart race and your palms sweat. In that moment of panic, you might want just to trade phone numbers and head home, but New Jersey law is very specific about what you have to do next. You must notify the police right away if someone was hurt or if someone died in the crash. You also have to report it if the property damage looks like it costs more than 500 dollars.
Even if the other driver says they are fine, it is smarter to call local police or the State Police immediately. If an officer does not come to the scene to write a formal report, the responsibility falls on you. You have 10 days to send a written report to the Motor Vehicle Commission.
To stay on the right side of the law, your report should include:
- The exact time and location of the crash.
- License and registration info for every driver.
- Current insurance details for all vehicles.
- A clear description of any injuries or car damage.
Penalties for Failure to Report a Car Accident in New Jersey
If you forget or choose not to file that report, you can face some annoying and expensive problems. A simple ticket for failure to report a car accident in New Jersey usually leads to a fine between 30 and 102 dollars. While this specific ticket does not add points to your driver’s license, your insurance company might still find out. That is where the real trouble starts. Many insurance groups see a failure to report just like a hit and run, and they will hike your rates.
If you avoid reporting because you left the scene of a crash where someone was hurt, the trouble gets much worse. You could face criminal charges and a prison stay of three to five years. You might also lose your license for a full year and get eight points on your record.
Reporting a Crash vs Leaving the Scene
It is common to confuse these two different legal issues, but the court sees them very differently. Failure to report is often seen as a paperwork mistake or a traffic ticket. Leaving the scene is a much bigger deal. If you hit a parked car and just drive away, you could get two points on your license and 30 days in jail.
If you leave a scene where someone is bleeding or unconscious, the state does not go easy on you. You are looking at:
- Fines that can reach as high as 15,000 dollars.
- A prison sentence of up to five years.
- An automatic insurance surcharge of at least 600 dollars every year for three years.
Staying at the scene to exchange names and insurance info is always the best move to avoid these heavy penalties.
Defending Your Case and Next Steps
Sometimes good people get hit with these charges because they were confused, scared, or in shock. Maybe you truly did not see any damage at the time. Perhaps you honestly thought the police already taken down your information and you were free to go. In some cases, emergency medical issues can prevent someone from calling the police right away.
A car accident lawyer can look at the police records and help explain your side to a judge. These cases usually go to the municipal court in the town where the crash happened, like Woodbridge or Trenton. Getting legal help can help you get the charges lowered so you don’t lose your license or end up with a criminal record.
The legal team at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh knows how scary it feels to deal with a court summons after a crash. If you are worried about your driving record or medical bills, call (732) 229-3200 for help.