After the typical car crash in New Jersey, you and the other driver would exchange information, file a police report and then file insurance claims as necessary for property damage costs and injuries.
Unfortunately, not all drivers fully comply with New Jersey law, including the requirement to stop after a collision causes bodily injury or at least $500 in property damage. People who don’t have insurance, who are under the influence of alcohol or who have suspended driver’s licenses might speed off from the scene of a crash in the hopes of avoiding consequences.
What happens to you if you get hurt in a hit-and-run collision?
You have to report the issue to the police
Calling the police to report the crash will result in an investigation. In the best-case scenario for a hit-and-run crash, the New Jersey police eventually track down the driver who caused the collision. If you can locate the other driver, then you will have the option of filing a claim against their insurance or taking them to civil court.
If the police can’t find the driver who caused the crash, you may be able to make a claim against your own uninsured motorist protection. The risk of hit-and-run collisions is one of the most compelling reasons to get uninsured motorist protection. In a crash with an uninsured driver, you can typically take them to court if they were at fault and didn’t have coverage. Doing so is not an option when you cannot identify the individual to hold them responsible.
Understanding the consequences of different kinds of motor vehicle collisions can help you better handle a recent crash.