Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic and upsetting, especially if you feel like you may be in some way at fault for the incident. While fear may motivate some people to avoid the aftermath by fleeing the scene of the accident, there are legal consequences for doing so.
After an accident in Massachusetts, legal obligations require individuals to remain at the scene, exchange information, such as name and contact information, with the other driver(s) and respond to police who arrive at the scene. Failure to do this could result in criminal penalties such as fines, jail time, license suspension and/or a criminal conviction.
Massachusetts State Law for Car Accidents
Massachusetts law requires drivers involved in an accident to remain at the scene and provide information to the authorities. This includes exchanging contact details with other drivers and cooperating with responding police officers. Even if no one else is involved or the other driver flees, you are still legally obligated to report the accident as soon as reasonably possible.
Types of Hit and Run Charges & Penalties
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24 separates “leaving the scene” charges into two categories, each with distinct penalties: personal injury-related charges and property damage charges.
Property Damage Charges & Penalties
Leaving the scene of an accident that involves property damage could result in fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, up to 2 years in the House of Corrections, license suspension, and the long-term penalty of a criminal conviction on the individual’s record.
Personal Injury-Related Charges & Penalties
Should a driver leave the scene of an accident that involves personal injuries, they may face substantial fines of $1,000 up to $5,000 for a fatal accident. They will also face consequences such as the possibility of state prison time from 2 years to 10 years, depending on whether there was a fatality.
Depending on the circumstances, a defendant may face minimum sentencing requirements that mean no possibility of parole until the minimum term has elapsed. Additionally, an individual may have their license suspended for an extended period of time (up to several years for a first offense).
Other Consequences of a Hit & Run
Beyond the legal consequences, there are other repercussions of leaving the scene of a hit-and-run. Future employment and housing applications may be impacted by having a criminal record. Remember that landlords and employers often run background checks that can uncover a criminal history.
Additionally, insurance premiums often skyrocket after a hit-and-run, where you have been legally convicted of the crime. In some cases, insurance companies refuse to cover an individual or cancel their policy entirely.
Do you have questions about leaving the scene of an accident, or have you been involved in an accident and need legal help? Talk to our team at the Law Office of Patriock Conway. Contact us through our site or call us directly at 978.473.7599.