What leaving the scene adds
Drivers involved in a collision generally have a duty to stop and share their information, and in some situations to report the incident to police. Leaving can be charged on its own, even when impairment is never proven. In New York, leaving the scene of a property damage incident is usually a lower-level offense than leaving when someone is hurt, but both can carry license consequences. Whether you knew a collision had happened is often an issue, especially with light contact at night or in heavy traffic. Prosecutors try to establish your condition at the time of driving from other sources, such as witnesses, receipts, and video, and the timeline is often contested.
When police make contact
Police often trace a vehicle through plate readers, camera footage, or paint transfer, and they may first contact the registered owner. You do not have to answer questions, and speaking before talking to a lawyer can supply the missing piece of the case, such as who was driving. If someone else was driving your car, that also needs careful handling. Keep the vehicle as it is and do not have it repaired. Save texts, location history, and receipts from that night rather than deleting them, because deletion can be treated as destroying evidence.
Planning a response
In a first consultation we learn what police seem to know, whether a charge has been filed, and whether it makes sense for us to contact the investigating officer. We explain the difference between the leaving-the-scene charge and any impaired-driving charge, and how each affects your license. If an arrest is likely, we can arrange a surrender so it does not happen unexpectedly at work or at home. We also talk about notifying your insurer, which is usually required even when you are unsure of the facts. If the other vehicle's owner or an insurer contacts you directly, pass the message to us rather than responding yourself.
