Hit and Run Lawyer Suffolk County

What is commonly called a “hit and run” is charged in New York under VTL § 600, which requires a driver involved in a property-damage or personal-injury incident to stop, exchange information, or report to police, and treats a failure to do so as a separate offense from any charge arising out of the collision itself. The consequences in a Suffolk County case depend heavily on whether the incident involved property damage only or personal injury, and on the specific facts surrounding the driver’s conduct after the collision. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. reviews the specific § 600 subdivision charged and the surrounding facts. The firm does not offer free consultations; call (888) 437-7747, staffed 24/7, to request a scheduled consultation.

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How New York Charges a Hit and Run Under VTL § 600

VTL § 600 does not use “degrees” the way some other Vehicle and Traffic Law offenses do. Instead, § 600(1) covers property-damage-only incidents: a driver who knows or has cause to know their vehicle caused damage to another’s property must stop, exhibit their license and insurance identification, and provide identifying and insurance information, or report to the nearest police station if the other party is not present. A § 600(1) violation is a traffic infraction, with a fine of up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail.

VTL § 600(2) covers personal-injury incidents and carries a much wider range of consequences depending on the specific facts. Under § 600(2)(c), a violation resulting solely from a failure to exhibit a license or insurance identification, or to exchange information, is a class B misdemeanor with a fine of $250 to $500 on a first offense, rising to a class A misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $1,000 on a second or subsequent offense. Any other § 600(2)(a) violation, meaning conduct beyond the mere-failure type described above, is a class A misdemeanor with a fine of $750 to $1,000; after a prior such conviction, it becomes a class E felony with a fine of $1,000 to $3,000; where serious physical injury results, it is a class E felony with a fine of $1,000 to $5,000; and where death results, it is a class D felony with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000.

Why the Specific Facts Matter in a Suffolk County Case

Because § 600’s penalty structure depends heavily on which factual trigger applies, property damage versus injury, mere failure to exchange information versus other conduct, and whether serious injury or death resulted, the specific facts of a Suffolk County incident must be reviewed carefully before discussing likely exposure or options. The firm does not guarantee any particular outcome in a § 600 matter.

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

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He attended George Mason University, where he developed a background in accounting and information systems. Mr. Sris founded the firm in 1997, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle hit and run matters for Suffolk County clients alongside him.

The firm does not maintain a physical location in Suffolk County. The firm’s principal office is 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032, by appointment. The firm’s intake line is staffed 24/7 at (888) 437-7747. The firm does not offer free consultations; callers may request a scheduled consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “hit and run” an official charge in New York?

No. The official statute is VTL § 600, titled “Leaving scene of an incident without reporting.” It has two subdivisions: § 600(1) for property damage and § 600(2) for personal injury, with no “degrees” terminology.

What is the penalty for a property-damage-only hit and run?

Under § 600(1), it is a traffic infraction with a fine of up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail.

What is the penalty when someone is injured?

It depends on the specific facts under § 600(2)(c), ranging from a class B misdemeanor, fine $250 to $500 on a first offense, for a mere failure to exchange information, up to a class D felony, fine $2,000 to $5,000, where death results.

Does leaving the scene after a fatal crash carry felony exposure?

Yes. Under § 600(2)(c), a violation where death results is a class D felony, with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000.

Do rideshare drivers have added duties under § 600?

Yes. Transportation network company and peer-to-peer car-sharing drivers have additional disclosure duties under § 600(1)(a).

Does the firm offer a free consultation for a hit and run charge?

No. The firm does not offer free consultations. Call (888) 437-7747, staffed 24/7, to request a scheduled consultation.

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.

Suffolk County cases follow the same route as the rest of the state, and our page on hit and run cases in New York explains each stage.