Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Serving White Plains, Cortlandt Manor, & Westchester County

Have you been charged with leaving the scene of an automobile accident? This is a serious offense that can have long lasting effects on your driver's license, insurance rates and/or a potential civil lawsuit. It is important to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Our attorneys are former prosecutors in Westchester County and Manhattan our experience and aggressive approach will work to protect you from a myriad of potential consequences including potential civil liability. In fact, our lawyers are former attorneys with major insurance companies and have defended countless automobile accident cases from "fender benders" to serious physical injury and death.

Call our office today for a free consultation. We will provide you with an honest and straightforward assessment of your case and we always make ourselves available to keep you updated on your case and answer your questions. Our relationship with our clients is paramount.

Leaving the Scene of an accident "Property Damage" and "Injury"

In New York State there are two different laws dealing with leaving the scene of an accident, property damage only and an accident that involves injury to a person.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Property Damage

Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) Section 600(1)(a) defines this offense as a person knowing or having cause to know that damage has been caused to the property of another may not leave the accident without exchanging information (insurance, name, address, phone number, etc.) and if not able to do so must report that information as soon as physically able to the nearest police station. VTL 600(1)(a) is a traffic infraction and is punishable by either a fine of $250.00, 15 days in jail or both.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Personal Injury

Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) Section 600(2) defines this offense as a person knowing or having cause to know that personal injury has been caused to another before leaving must exchange information (insurance, name, address, phone number, etc.) to the injured party, police officer or report the accident as soon as physically able to the nearest police station.

VTL 600(2) is a class "B" misdemeanor and a subsequent offense is regarding as a class "A" misdemeanor and a previous conviction is a class "E" felony. If the injury results in death or serious physical injury the charge will automatically be a felony.

The Criminal Defense

These charges must be aggressively defended. Many times our client's don't even know they were involved in an accident until a police officer appears at their door. It is important to determine the exact proof the prosecution has against an accused. Our attorneys are also experienced dealing with people who intentionally place themselves in a position to claim they were injured to collect insurance money or are seeking to exaggerate an injury to create an insurance claim. This is where our attorneys experience as prior insurance company lawyers and now as criminal defense attorneys is a clear advantage.

Schedule Your FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

If you or a loved one is charged with leaving the scene of an accident in Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange counties or the Bronx, we are here to protect your rights and help you through this difficult time.