Hit and Run Lawyer Bronx County

What is commonly called “hit and run” in everyday conversation is addressed in New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law under § 600, currently titled “Leaving scene of an incident without reporting.” That heading itself is worth noting, because many secondary sources still refer to an older title, “leaving scene of an accident,” that no longer reflects the statute’s current text. § 600 also does not create “degrees” of the offense the way some other New York statutes do. Instead, the statute is organized by subdivision: § 600(1) addresses incidents involving property damage, and § 600(2) addresses incidents involving personal injury, with grading inside subdivision two determined by the specific factual trigger described in § 600(2)(c).

Under § 600(1), a driver who knows or has cause to know that their vehicle caused damage to another person’s property must stop, exchange license and insurance information, or report the incident to the nearest police station if the other party is not present. A violation is a traffic infraction. Under § 600(2), similar duties apply where personal injury is involved, but the grading is more serious and depends on the specific circumstances, ranging from a misdemeanor up to a felony where serious injury or death results. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys review these distinctions carefully in every Bronx County case and can be reached at (888) 437-7747, staffed for intake 24/7.

On this page

What a Hit and Run Charge Means in Bronx County

A hit and run charge in Bronx County is, as a legal matter, a charge under § 600 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and understanding it requires understanding which of the statute’s two subdivisions applies to the facts. § 600(1) covers incidents where a driver’s vehicle causes damage to another person’s real or personal property. The driver’s duty in that situation is to stop, exhibit a license and insurance identification, and provide identifying and insurance information to the affected party, or, if that party is not present, to report the incident to the nearest police station or judicial officer. A violation of § 600(1) is a traffic infraction.

§ 600(2) covers incidents involving personal injury, and its duties largely mirror subdivision one but also include reporting to a police officer if one is present. The grading here is more nuanced and depends on the specific trigger described in § 600(2)(c). A violation resulting solely from a failure to exhibit a license or insurance identification, or to exchange information, is graded as a class B misdemeanor on a first offense, rising to a class A misdemeanor on a second or subsequent offense. Any other kind of § 600(2)(a) violation, meaning conduct beyond that narrow failure-to-exchange scenario, is a class A misdemeanor on a first offense, escalating to a class E felony after a prior such conviction or where serious physical injury results, and to a class D felony where death results.

It bears repeating that § 600 does not use “degrees,” first, second, or otherwise, anywhere in its text. A driver researching a Bronx County hit and run charge should look for the specific subdivision and factual trigger involved rather than a degree designation, since that terminology simply does not appear in the statute governing this offense in the New York State trial courts in Bronx County.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle These Cases

When a client contacts the firm about a hit and run allegation in Bronx County, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys begin by identifying whether the incident is charged under § 600(1), the property-damage subdivision, or § 600(2), the personal-injury subdivision, because the applicable duties, defenses, and consequences differ substantially between the two. Within § 600(2), the review also identifies which specific grading trigger under § 600(2)(c) applies, since the same subdivision can support anything from a class B misdemeanor to a class D felony depending on the facts.

The review examines whether the driver actually knew or had cause to know that the vehicle was involved in property damage or personal injury, since that knowledge element is central to both subdivisions, as well as whether the statutory duties to stop, exchange information, or report were actually triggered by the facts presented. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys discuss these elements with each client individually rather than treating every § 600 charge the same way.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with the firm and bring additional courtroom experience to § 600 matters handled for New York clients. Because Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. does not maintain a physical location in Bronx County, this review is coordinated through scheduled consultations. The firm does not offer free consultations; a consultation may be scheduled by calling the 24/7 intake line at (888) 437-7747.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., which he founded in 1997. He is a former prosecutor, and his background in accounting and information systems from George Mason University has been applied to complex financial and technology-related cases handled by the firm. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and his New York admission covers § 600 matters arising in Bronx County.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys concentrate in traffic and criminal defense matters, including matters charged under § 600. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with the firm and are referenced collectively rather than by name in this material. To discuss a Bronx County hit and run allegation, call (888) 437-7747, staffed for intake 24/7, to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct legal name for a hit and run charge in New York?

The Vehicle and Traffic Law addresses this conduct under § 600, currently titled “Leaving scene of an incident without reporting.” The older title, “leaving scene of an accident,” no longer reflects the statute’s current official heading.

Does New York charge hit and run in “degrees”?

No. § 600 contains no first, second, or third degree designations. Grading instead depends on which subdivision applies, property damage under § 600(1) or personal injury under § 600(2), and, within subdivision two, the specific factual trigger described in § 600(2)(c).

What is the penalty for a property-damage violation under § 600(1)?

A violation of § 600(1) is a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail.

Can a personal-injury hit and run charge become a felony?

Yes. Under § 600(2)(c), a violation involving serious physical injury can be graded as a class E felony, and a violation involving death can be graded as a class D felony, depending on the specific circumstances involved.

What if I only failed to exchange information but no one was seriously hurt?

Under § 600(2)(c), a violation resulting solely from a failure to exhibit license or insurance identification or exchange information is graded as a class B misdemeanor on a first offense, rising to a class A misdemeanor on a second or subsequent offense.

Does the firm handle hit and run matters in Bronx County without a local office?

Yes. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. does not maintain a physical location in Bronx County, but Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent clients with § 600 matters in the New York State trial courts in Bronx County through scheduled consultations.

Is a free consultation available?

No. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. does not offer free consultations. A scheduled consultation may be requested by calling (888) 437-7747, staffed for intake 24/7.

This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.