What Law is Breached When an Automobile Accident is Not Reported?
What Law is Breached When an Automobile Accident is Not Reported?
Every driver has a legal duty to operate their vehicle in a way that is not injurious to others. Whether they are driving a truck, a car, a motorcycle or an RV, drivers must exercise due care and caution to avoid harming others.
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When a driver has breached this duty, and there was an injury or death caused by the resulting crash, there is a strong likelihood that the driver will be held responsible for the resulting damages in court. However, it is important to understand that negligence in this regard requires a direct causal connection between the breach of the duty and the resulting crash or injury.
The most common reason for not reporting a car accident is that the driver is financially involved in the accident and wants to keep their insurance rates down. This can be a sound financial decision, but it does not mean that the driver has no legal obligation to report the accident.
If a driver is not physically able to complete a report of an automobile accident, another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the crash may make the report on the driver’s behalf. The occupant will be required to file the report with the registrar of vehicles and to send a copy of the report to the police department having jurisdiction on the way where the crash occurred.
A driver who leaves the scene of an automobile accident without reporting it is in violation of a number of laws. These laws are designed to protect individuals from harm and ensure that victims of accidents are treated fairly.
First and foremost, any person who commits this crime will face criminal misdemeanor charges. This means that they will be subject to a fine and may even spend some time in jail. If you are facing a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, do not delay in consulting with a lawyer to see what steps you should take next.
You should also be sure to report all of the relevant information about the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance company will then have an accurate record of the accident and might be able to help you with the compensation that you are entitled to receive.
Once you have reported the accident to your insurer, you should still report it to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is because DMV has the responsibility to notify everyone involved in an automobile accident about the crash and how it affected them.
According to the State of New York, all car accidents that result in significant injury or death must be reported to the DMV within 10 days. Failure to do so is considered a felony, and the penalties can include up to four years in prison and a $2500 fine.
The other party in a car accident can be found guilty of the same offense, so it is very important to make a thorough report of the incident. Be sure to take pictures of the crash damage and any other factors that might have contributed to it.