In New Jersey, whether you need to report a car accident to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), now known as the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), depends on the severity of the accident. In short, you must report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $500. Find out more about filing an NJ DMV accident report here.
How to Report a Car Accident in New Jersey
Drivers are not required to report every car accident directly to the New Jersey MVC. However, in cases where reporting is necessary, you have three primary methods for doing so:
- Police report: The police are usually involved in accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage, and they will handle the reporting process. In this case, you do not need to file a separate report with the MVC.
- Self-reporting: If the police do not respond to the accident, New Jersey law requires you to report it to the MVC within 10 days using the Self-Reporting Crash form (SR-1) available on the New Jersey Department of Transportation website.
- Insurance reporting: Regardless of whether you report the accident to the MVC, you must inform your insurance company about any accident you’re involved in, as per the terms of your insurance policy. Failure to do so might affect your coverage.
What if the Driver is Unable to Report?
If the driver is incapacitated or otherwise unable to file a New Jersey state DMV accident report, responsibility may fall to others present at the time. If a passenger was in the car during the incident, they are expected to step in and complete the report for the driver. Similarly, the vehicle’s owner is authorized to submit the report on the driver’s behalf if the driver can’t do so themselves.
Consequences of Not Reporting an Accident
Neglecting to report a car accident in New Jersey that causes injury, death, or significant property damage is punishable by fines of $30 to $102, not including potential court costs. In addition, your driver’s license and vehicle registration could be temporarily suspended.
Leaving an accident scene without checking on the other people involved carries heavier penalties. For property damage incidents, punishments for a hit-and-run include up to 30 days in jail, fines ranging from $200 to $600, and suspended driving privileges. In more grave situations involving injuries or fatalities, the consequences escalate to three to five years in prison, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, up to $15,000 in fines, and an 8-point penalty on your driving record, not to mention a significant increase in car insurance premiums.
Get Legal Help After a Car Accident
Navigating the potential consequences of a car accident requires expert legal advice. Moon & Associates has nearly 25 years of experience providing unique insights and exacting attention to meet our clients’ needs. Our team of experienced trial and litigation attorneys can handle your case with a youthful and creative approach. For legal assistance that goes above and beyond, please call us at (201) 272-1077 to schedule a free consultation at our office in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.