How Much is Your Claim Worth?
How Much is Your Claim Worth?
If you get into a car accident in New Jersey, the law imposes a number of obligations on you. Read this to learn your legal duties.
As a driver in New Jersey, knowing the state’s accident laws is one of the most important things you can do. Understanding these requirements can help you avoid legal consequences after a car crash.
On this page, we’ll explore some key car accident laws to ensure you know your legal duties when involved in a collision. You can also review the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Code to learn more.
Under New Jersey law, if you get into a car crash involving injury, death, or property damage, you must immediately stop your vehicle. Then, you must provide your name and address and display your driver’s license and registration to the other party in the accident, as well as the police and any witnesses.
If none of these individuals are available at the scene to receive this information, you must report the accident to the nearest police department and provide them with these details.
The driver of any vehicle, knowingly involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person shall immediately stop the vehicle and remain at the scene until he has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to any vehicle or property shall give his name and address and exhibit his operator’s license and registration certificate of his vehicle to the person injured or whose vehicle was damaged and to any police officer or witness, and to the driver or occupants of the vehicle collided with.
In the event that none of the persons specified are in condition to receive the information and no police officer is present, the driver shall report such accident to the nearest office of the local police department or of the county police of the county or of the State Police and submit thereto the information specified in this subsection.
If you have been involved in a car accident, New Jersey law requires you to render “reasonable assistance” to anyone injured.
You can fulfill this duty by taking the injured person to a hospital for medical treatment. You only need to do this if the injured person is in obvious need of treatment or they request that you take them.
The driver involved in an accident shall render to a person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying of that person to a hospital or a physician for medical or surgical treatment, if it is apparent that the treatment is necessary or is requested by the injured person.
In New Jersey, the law requires you to report car crashes that involve injury, death, or damage to a single person’s property exceeding $500. After the accident, you must immediately notify the local authorities by the quickest method of communication.
You must also submit a written report to the Motor Vehicle Commission within 10 days. However, you do not need to file a written report if a police officer has already done so.
The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person, or damage to property of any one person in excess of $500.00 shall by the quickest means of communication give notice to the local police department and shall within 10 days forward a written report to the commission.
A written report of an accident shall not be required by this section if a law enforcement officer submits a written report of the accident to the commission.
According to New Jersey law, if you fail to report an accident when required to do so, you can be fined between $30 and $100. Your driving and registration privileges can also be suspended or revoked.
A person who knowingly violates this section shall be fined not less than $30 or more than $100.
The chief administrator may revoke or suspend the operator’s license privilege and registration privilege of a person who violates this section.
New Jersey law requires you to immediately stop your vehicle at the scene of an accident resulting in property damage, even if the crash didn’t hurt anyone. You must then exchange information with the other parties in the accident and provide personal details to witnesses and police officers.
The driver involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle, including his own vehicle, or other property which is attended by any person shall immediately stop his vehicle and remain at the scene until he has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver involved in an accident resulting in damage to any vehicle or property shall give his name and address and exhibit his operator’s license and registration certificate of his vehicle to the person injured or whose vehicle was damaged and to any police officer or witness, and to the driver or occupants of the vehicle collided with.
In the event that none of the persons specified are in condition to receive the information and no police officer is present, the driver shall report such accident to the nearest office of the local police department or of the county police of the county or of the State Police and submit thereto the information specified in this subsection.
If you hit and damage a parked car in New Jersey, you must immediately stop your vehicle. You then must either locate the car’s owner or leave a note. Either way, you must provide your name and address, as well as the name and address of the owner of the vehicle you are driving if it is not yours.
The driver which collides with any vehicle which is unattended resulting in damage shall immediately stop and locate and notify the owner of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle or, in the event the owner cannot be located, attach a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle doing the striking.
As a New Jersey driver, it is vital for you to know your legal duties after an accident before getting behind the wheel. Understanding the requirements ahead of time can help ensure you fulfill your obligations and avoid legal penalties if an accident does occur.
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