Is leaving the scene of an accident a crime in New York?

Yes. Leaving the scene of an accident in New York can be either a serious traffic infraction or a criminal offense, depending on the circumstances. Incidents involving only property damage may be treated as serious traffic violations; however, even in these cases, the consequences are significant. A conviction can lead to substantial increases in auto insurance premiums or even policy cancellation. Accidents involving personal injury can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, resulting in a criminal record and possible jail time.

Long Island Hit and Run Defense Lawyer Defending Clients Accused of Leaving An Accident Scene in Nassau County

Q: What is considered a hit and run in New York?

A hit and run, legally called "leaving the scene of an incident" under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §600, occurs when a driver involved in a crash fails to stop, exchange identification and insurance information, or report the incident to police when required. The law applies whether the accident involves property damage, personal injury, or death, and drivers must remain at the scene and provide identifying information.

Q: What are the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in New York?

Penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in New York depend on whether the crash caused property damage or injury. Possible penalties include: fines ranging from about $250 to several thousand dollars, driver's license suspension or revocation, jail time ranging from days to years depending on the charge, and a misdemeanor or felony criminal record for injury-related incidents.

Q: Can you go to jail for a hit and run on Long Island?

Yes. A conviction for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury can lead to jail or prison time in New York. Depending on the severity of the incident, penalties may include up to 364 days in jail for misdemeanor charges or multiple years in state prison for felony cases involving serious injury or death.

Q: Will I lose my driver's license for a hit and run?

A conviction for leaving the scene of an accident can result in points on your driving record, license suspension, and license revocation. In cases involving injuries, drivers may face license revocation for up to a year or longer, along with fines and other penalties.

Q: How do I find a hit and run lawyer near me?

To find a hit and run lawyer near you, search for a criminal defense or traffic offense attorney experienced with leaving-the-scene cases in your area. Review law firm websites, client reviews, and case experience, confirm the attorney handles New York traffic crimes and Vehicle and Traffic Law cases, and schedule a case evaluation to discuss your charges and possible defenses.

If you are involved in a car accident, it’s in your best interest to remain at the scene. If you fail to stay, you could be accused of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it.

The act of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it is often referred to as a hit and run. If you are accused of committing a hit and run, it’s important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away. Gianni Karmily has helped countless clients fight hit and run charges on Long Island. Contact Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC at once to discuss your legal options.

What Are Drivers Required to Do After A Car Accident?

The law requires every driver to follow certain rules immediately following a car accident. If you are involved in an accident, you are legally required to stop at the scene. The law also requires drivers to show their insurance card and driver’s license to the other parties involved in the accident. Drivers must also provide the other parties with their name and address before leaving the scene.

If the other parties are not present, for example, if you hit a parked car with no one inside, you are still required to provide this information. In this case, you would need to report the accident to the police and give them your information instead.

What is Considered a Hit and Run in New York?

A hit and run, legally called “leaving the scene of an incident” under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §600, occurs when a driver involved in a crash fails to stop, exchange identification and insurance information, or report the incident to police when required. The law applies whether the accident involves property damage, personal injury, or death, and drivers must remain at the scene and provide identifying information.

What Are the Hit and Run Laws in Nassau County and Throughout Long Island?

Failing to fulfill your legal obligations after a car accident could lead to serious consequences. This is true regardless of whether or not someone was injured in the accident. The severity of the accident does not matter—if you were involved in an accident, you are required to fulfill your legal obligations.

Is Leaving the Scene of An Accident A Traffic Violation or Crime?

There are two types of hit and run offenses in New York as defined in New York Penal Law Section 600. The first is leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, but no injuries. This offense is a traffic infraction, not a crime.

The second hit and run offense is leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. If someone was injured in the accident and you refuse to exchange your information at the scene, you will be charged with a class B misdemeanor. This is true even if you stopped at the scene—if you refuse to provide your information, you will face charges. If you are a repeat offender, this criminal charge will become a class A misdemeanor.

If you are involved in an accident with injuries and do not stop at the scene whatsoever, you can face class A misdemeanor charges. If you are a repeat offender, the charge is increased to a class E felony.

You will face more serious criminal charges if the accident involved serious injuries or fatalities. If you fail to stop at an accident that caused serious injuries, you will be charged with a class E felony. If you refuse to stop after a fatal accident, you can face class D felony charges.

What Are the Penalties For Leaving the Scene of An Accident in New York?

The penalties will vary depending on the severity of the accident. If the accident caused property damage but no injuries, this traffic infraction is punishable by up to 15 days in jail and $250 in fines.

Refusing to exchange your information after an accident involving injuries, which is a class B misdemeanor, can lead to up to three months in jail and $500 in fines. Refusing to stop at the scene of an accident involving injuries, which is a class A misdemeanor, is punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.

Hit and run crimes involving serious injuries are class E felonies, which carry a maximum of four years in prison. The most serious hit and run offense, which involves fatalities, is a class D felony that carries a maximum of seven years in prison.

Hit and run charges should not be taken lightly. Leaving the scene of an accident can lead to incarceration, which is why you will need to fight the charges with the help of hit and run lawyer Gianni Karmily.

Can you go to Jail for a Hit and Run on Long Island?

Yes. A conviction for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury can lead to jail or prison time in New York. Depending on the severity of the incident, penalties may include up to 364 days in jail for misdemeanor charges or multiple years in state prison for felony cases involving serious injury or death.

Will I Lose my Driver’s License for a Hit and Run?

A conviction for leaving the scene of an accident can result in points on your driving record, license suspension, and license revocation. In cases involving injuries, drivers may face license revocation for up to a year or longer, along with fines and other penalties.

What should I do if I am accused of a hit and run?

If you are accused of a hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident, it is important to protect your legal rights. Recommended steps include:

Do not discuss the incident with the police without a lawyer present
Avoid making statements that could be used against you
Preserve any evidence or information related to the incident
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately

How do I Find a Hit-and-Run Lawyer Near Me?

To find a hit and run lawyer near you, search for a criminal defense or traffic offense attorney experienced with leaving-the-scene cases in your area. Review law firm websites, client reviews, and case experience, confirm the attorney handles New York traffic crimes and Vehicle and Traffic Law cases, and schedule a case evaluation to discuss your charges and possible defenses.

How Much Do Nassau County Hit and Run Defense Attorneys Cost?

One of the first questions that may cross your mind is, “How much will a Hit and Run defense lawyer cost?” The answer to this question can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, the severity of the criminal charges, and the attorney’s experience in criminal law.

More complex cases involving serious crimes will require more of your attorney’s time, which means these cases will typically cost more than less serious offenses.

Hit and Run defense attorneys usually charge flat fees for their legal services. Most attorneys charge a flat fee to handle pre-litigation matters and another flat fee if the case goes to hearings or trial.

Nassau County, Long Island, NY, is not the place to “Price Shop” for a Hit and Run defense attorney. If you do that, you risk making a life-altering mistake that will haunt you forever. If a law firm charges less, always ask yourself the reason why they are a “Budget” law firm.

3 Reasons You Should Hire The Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC As Your Hit and Run Defense Attorney

1) Lifelong Criminal Defense Attorney

Unlike most criminal defense attorneys, Gianni Karmily has been on the defense side his entire life from even before becoming a lawyer. While in law school, he was an intern for the public defender’s office at the Legal Aid and Defender Association in Detroit, Michigan. After moving back to Nassau County, Long Island, New York, he has been looking forward every day to being the voice of individuals facing criminal charges, including those accused of hit and run offenses.

There is a natural advantage to an attorney you hire who has not been on the prosecution side because they have a totally different mindset not susceptible to institutional bias, which makes you subconsciously conditioned to think in a certain way and accept certain things that could put your client in peril.

A lifelong criminal defense lawyer naturally possesses aggressive skepticism, which is an intense, active approach to questioning and challenging information, authority, and the system. That’s the reason they are best suited to effectively do their job, which is to be the voice of that person and aggressively push back to make sure the system doesn’t roll over them.

2) Direct Access

Gianni Karmily is the principal attorney of the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC. It is very important for our clients to be reassured that their hit and run case doesn’t get shuffled around from one lawyer to another lawyer and from one paralegal to another paralegal. That is the reason they deal directly with Gianni for every aspect of representation, including court dates, case updates, and questions about their hit and run charges. At the same time, Gianni regularly works with other experienced criminal defense attorneys and experts from different backgrounds to make sure he achieves the best result possible for all his clients.

3) Limit Number of Cases

The Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC is very thorough and doesn’t cut any corners when representing individuals accused of hit and run offenses. That’s the reason the law firm limits the number of cases it takes each month in order for each case to receive the individualized attention it deserves and for Gianni to dedicate the adequate time required for a sound defense. Your case could affect your freedom, your career, and your future. Make sure you have an attorney with the experience and time to protect all three.

Set Up A Case Evaluation With Our Hit and Run Defense Attorney In Nassau County, Long Island, Today

Have you been charged with leaving the scene of an accident? This is not just a traffic violation—it’s a criminal offense. For this reason, you will need to seek legal representation from experienced hit and run attorney Gianni Karmily as soon as possible. Let Gianni fight to protect your freedom. To schedule a confidential case evaluation with the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC, call our Great Neck office at (516) 630-3405 or our Hempstead office at (516) 614-4228.