Leaving the scene of an accident, sometimes called a “hit and run,” can result in some heavy penalties. This is especially true in New Jersey, which has always had strict traffic laws. If you’ve been accused of leaving the scene of an accident in New Jersey, take a look at some of the possible repercussions below, and if you need legal advice, Leon Matchin can help.

Financial Costs

One of the most significant consequences of leaving the scene is that your wallet will bear a lot of the burden. Even if you ignore court costs and other fees, the cost of leaving an accident can add up. Depending on the nature of the accident, you could pay a fine of any amount from $202 to $1002. If you’re caught leaving the scene, you’ll also face a mandatory penalty of six months without a driver’s license, which can impact your ability to get to work and may result in even more financial difficulties.

Jail Time

People who get caught leaving the scene of an accident may even face jail time. You may spend up to a month in jail, and some cases even come with a 180-day jail sentence. Once again, this penalty will impact your job, which can add to your financial burden – especially if you lose your job because of your jail time.

Determining Factors

So why is there such a wide range of penalties? It depends on a lot of different factors. If you hire an attorney, he or she will take these factors in mind when building your case. For example, judges will determine your sentence based on whether or not this is your first offense. First-time offenders tend to face lower penalties than those who have left the scene of an accident more than once. The most important factor is whether the accident only caused property damage or if it also caused personal injury. Accidents involving personal injury carry much stricter consequences, including the 180-day jail sentence we mentioned earlier.

Leaving the Scene

If you’ve been accused of leaving the scene of an accident, Leon Matchin can offer legal counsel. Leon Matchin has been defending people accused of traffic violations for more than a decade. If you’d like to talk to an attorney about your case, contact Leon Matchin today. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. You can also reach him via phone at 732-662-7660.