Suing for Hit-and-Runs in New Jersey – Recovering Damages is Possible

A hit-and-run is one of the worst crimes anyone can commit in New Jersey. It reeks of cowardice and irresponsibility – not to mention total disregard for other people’s safety. Unfortunately, suing for a hit-and-run can be difficult for many reasons. Perhaps most obviously, it can be challenging to locate a defendant that has successfully fled from the scene of the accident. In other words, the people who are most deserving of punishment are also more likely to escape those consequences completely. But there is a flipside. People who attempt hit-and-runs also run the risk of encountering much more severe criminal penalties – including felony charges. Despite these deterrents, hit-and-runs are more common than ever before in the state of New Jersey, and there have been plenty of these offenses within the past few weeks. 

If you have been injured by a negligent driver in New Jersey, you need to get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney, especially if you have experienced a hit-and-run. With help from a lawyer, it becomes much easier to approach this situation with a sense of confidence and efficiency. An injury attorney can help you gather evidence and explore a range of possible strategies as you strive for compensation. These efforts can ensure that you have enough funds to cover medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and any other damages you might have incurred due to your accident. Book your consultation as soon as possible to avoid issues with the statute of limitations. 

New Jersey Councilwoman Commits Alleged Hit-and-Run

Headlines around the nation are highlighting an alleged hit-and-run committed by New Jersey councilwoman Amy DeGise. Governor Phil Murphy has already called the incident “unacceptable,” and the surveillance footage is quite damning. The video footage seems to depict DeGise barreling through an intersection at high speeds, hitting a cyclist in the process and continuing as if nothing had happened. Indeed, she maintains a constant speed throughout the entire incident. The man was thrown onto the windshield of DeGise’s windshield by the impact before sliding off and hitting the pavement. After an investigation, it was determined that the cyclist did not have the right of way, and that he was essentially committing a traffic offense before he was struck by DeGise.

But this is irrelevant, because DeGise was still required by law to pull over and wait for the authorities to arrive. There is no doubt that she committed a crime, although she is stalwartly refusing to resign. She also pointed out in a statement that “no one was seriously injured,” although this does not change the fact that she committed a hit-and-run. 

Driver Causes Crash Involving Commuter Bus Before Fleeing Scene

On July 26th of 2022, it was reported that a hit-and-run driver had caused a crash involving a commuter bus. This crash caused five injuries, although the negligent driver did not wait to help them. First, this motorist struck another car, pushing it into a bus lane. The vehicle was then struck by the commuter bus, and two more vehicles joined the fray in a “chain-reaction” crash. Although five individuals were injured, none faced life-threatening issues. The hit-and-run driver was eventually tracked down when his vehicle broke down.

Police Officer Commits Hit-and-Run

Even police officers are committing hit-and-runs in New Jersey. On July 30th, it was reported that a police officer in Passaic had been charged with multiple offenses after a crash, including leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury. An investigation later determined that the officer had been driving recklessly after consuming alcohol, and that he left the scene of the crash despite his female passenger suffering injuries that required hospitalization.  

Cyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run 

Back in early July of 2022, it was reported that a cyclist had been killed by a hit-and-run driver in Plainfield, New Jersey. Fortunately, the suspect was quickly apprehended, as he continued to crash into several other vehicles as he attempted to flee the scene of the crash. But this will provide little solace to the cyclist’s family members, as criminal penalties will not bring their loved one back. 

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today

If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey, look no further than Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. With our assistance, you can strive for justice and fair compensation – even if you have been the victim of a hit-and-run. We know that this situation can be both frustrating and daunting, and we are ready to help you fight for your rights in an effective, confident manner. Remember, internet research can only get you so far. Book your consultation today to get started on an effective action plan.