Reviewed by Mazie Slater’s specialized hit and run accident attorney [David A. Mazie – Managing Partner of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman]

Hit and run accidents are among the most frustrating and devastating types of motor vehicle accidents, leaving victims injured, confused, and often without immediate recourse. When a driver flees the scene after causing an accident, they compound the trauma by abandoning their legal and moral obligations to help those they’ve harmed. In New Jersey, hit and run accidents carry both criminal penalties for the fleeing driver and complex legal challenges for victims seeking compensation.At Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, our experienced hit and run lawyers have won more than a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for New Jersey clients. We understand the unique challenges of hit and run cases and have the resources, expertise, and determination to track down fleeing drivers and secure the compensation you deserve.

New Jersey’s motor vehicle statutes establish clear requirements for drivers involved in accidents. When these obligations are violated, the incident becomes a criminal hit and run case:

Any abandonment of these responsibilities constitutes a hit and run offense, subjecting the fleeing driver to both criminal prosecution and civil liability for damages caused.

Hit and run accidents have serious consequences for victims across the United States and New Jersey:

The most common types of hit and run accidents in New Jersey can generally be organized into four categories:

Hit and run accidents create a devastating combination of physical injuries often worsened by the victim’s abandonment at the scene. Below are the common types of injuries seen after hit and run accidents in New Jersey.

If you’re involved in a hit and run accident, your immediate priority should be ensuring safety by moving away from traffic and calling 911 to request both police and medical assistance. While waiting for New Jersey’s emergency responders, try to document as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle, including color, make, license plate numbers (even partial), and the direction they traveled. Seek immediate medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as adrenaline can mask severe conditions, and request comprehensive medical documentation for your records. Contact your insurance company promptly to report the hit and run, but avoid giving recorded statements until you’ve consulted with an experienced hit and run attorney who can protect your rights and begin investigating while evidence is still fresh. 

New Jersey’s no-fault system ensures immediate insurance coverage regardless of the fleeing driver’s identity. This coverage includes:

Economic damages cover all measurable financial losses resulting from the hit and run accident, including comprehensive medical expenses for both current treatment and future care needs, as well as lost wages during your recovery period. These damages also encompass reduced earning capacity if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work, along with property damage costs for vehicle repair or replacement. Additional out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation to medical appointments, home modifications for disabilities, and assistive devices are also recoverable as economic damages.

Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible losses that significantly impact your quality of life, including physical pain and suffering as well as the unique emotional distress of being abandoned at the accident scene. These damages recognize your loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent participation in activities you once valued, and the impact on family relationships through loss of consortium claims. Permanent disfigurement and scarring that affect your appearance and self-confidence are also compensated through non-economic damage awards.

Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman has a long history of investigating complex auto accidents and securing record-setting settlements on behalf of hit and run accident victims in Essex County and all parts of New Jersey. We have been named to the Best New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers list by the Best Lawyers in America publication for a reason. We handle every kind of vehicle accident lawsuit, from hit and runs and single car accidents to multi-car accidents, accidents involving tractor-trailers, and drunk driving crashes to recover damages for your personal injuries and other damages for our clients. If you or a loved one were injured in a hit and run accident, contact our top hit and run lawyers. We’ll respond as soon as possible to discuss your case.