Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Bergen County — What Are Your Legal Options?
A hit and run accident in Bergen County is a serious offense under N.J.S.A. 39:4-129, carrying severe penalties for leaving the scene. If you are facing these charges, a hit and run accident lawyer Bergen County from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can provide a strong defense.
New Jersey Hit and Run Laws and Penalties
New Jersey law strictly penalizes drivers who leave the scene of an accident. The specific statute, N.J.S.A. 39:4-129, outlines the duty to stop and provide information. The severity of the charge depends on whether the accident resulted in property damage, injury, or death. A conviction can lead to fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment. It is critical to understand the exact statute you are accused of violating.
Last verified: April 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, our firm has built a practice on handling traffic and criminal matters. We apply this deep institutional knowledge to hit and run cases, understanding both the prosecutorial approach and the defense strategies that can lead to favorable outcomes.
Official Legal Resources
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-129 (official New Jersey statute on leaving the scene)
- Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage website
Local Court Process for Hit and Run Cases in Bergen County
Hit and run cases in Bergen County are typically heard in the Superior Court, Law Division, or Municipal Court, depending on the severity. The Key Local Procedural Fact is that prosecutors in the Bergen Vicinage take these charges seriously due to public safety concerns. Early intervention by a skilled hit and run accident charge lawyer Bergen County is often important to negotiating a favorable resolution before a trial becomes necessary.
- Receive Your Summons: You will receive a summons with a court date at the Superior Court in Hackensack or your local municipal court.
- Initial Consultation: Meet with your attorney to review the police report, witness statements, and any available video evidence.
- Pre-Trial Conference: Your attorney will attend a conference with the prosecutor to discuss possible resolutions, which may include a plea to a lesser offense.
- Motion Practice: If necessary, your lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges based on procedural errors.
- Trial or Plea: Your case will either proceed to a bench trial or be resolved through a negotiated plea agreement.
- Sentencing: If convicted, the judge will impose penalties, which your attorney can argue to minimize.
Potential Penalties for Leaving the Scene in NJ
In Bergen County, a hit and run conviction can result in fines up to $5,000, license suspension, and potential jail time, with penalties escalating sharply if the accident caused injury or death.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving Scene – Property Damage | Traffic Offense | Up to 30 days | $200 – $400 | 6-month suspension | Community service, surcharges |
| Leaving Scene – Bodily Injury | Indictable Crime (3rd/4th Degree) | 180 days – 5 years | Up to $5,000 | 1-year suspension (minimum) | Felony record, restitution |
| Leaving Scene – Death | Indictable Crime (2nd Degree) | 5 – 10 years | Up to $150,000 | Revocation | Permanent felony record |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Hit and Run Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to every case. Our founder, Mr. Sris, is a former prosecutor who understands how these cases are built from the inside. Firm-wide, we have handled 4,739+ documented case results with a favorable outcome rate exceeding 93%. Our tagline, “Advocacy Without Borders,” reflects our commitment to aggressive, client-focused representation in Bergen County and across New Jersey.
Case Results and Client Advocacy
While specific locality results are not published, our firm-wide record demonstrates our capability. We have successfully defended clients against serious traffic and criminal charges across New Jersey. Outcomes have included dismissals, reductions to non-criminal traffic offenses, and favorable plea agreements that avoid jail time. Every case is unique, and we develop a defense strategy case-specific to the specific facts and evidence of your hit and run accident charge.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Bergen County, NJ
Our New Jersey location serves clients throughout Bergen County, including Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Ridgewood, and surrounding communities. We are accessible via I-80, the NJ Turnpike, and Route 17. If you need a hit and run accident lawyer Bergen County near the Garden State Plaza or Bergen County Courthouse, we are here to help.
Availability: 24/7 phone consultations — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — New Jersey
44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (609)-983-0003
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hit and Run in Bergen County
What should I do if I am charged with a hit and run in Bergen County?
Do not speak to police without an attorney. Contact a hit and run accident lawyer Bergen County as early as possible. Gather any evidence you have, such as photos of your vehicle, and write down everything you remember about the incident for your lawyer.
Can I go to jail for leaving the scene of an accident in NJ?
Yes. For accidents involving injury or death, jail time is a real possibility. Even for property damage, a judge can impose up to 30 days in jail. The specific penalties depend on the circumstances and your prior record.
What is the difference between a traffic ticket and a criminal charge for hit and run?
It depends on the outcome of the accident. Leaving the scene of an accident that only caused property damage is typically a traffic offense. If the accident caused injury or death, it becomes an indictable crime (felony) in New Jersey, which is far more serious and handled in Superior Court.
Will my license be suspended for a hit and run conviction?
Almost certainly. New Jersey law mandates a license suspension for any conviction of leaving the scene. The suspension period ranges from six months for property damage to revocation for accidents involving a death.
Can a lawyer get hit and run charges dropped?
It is possible. A leaving the scene of an accident lawyer Bergen County can challenge the evidence, argue that you were not the driver, or negotiate with the prosecutor for a dismissal or reduction to a lesser charge, especially if there are weaknesses in the state’s case.
Last verified: April 2026. Laws and procedures change. For the most current advice regarding your hit and run accident charge, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
The same rules apply outside Bergen County, and our page on hit and run accident claims across New Jersey walks through each stage.
Your case in Bergen County, New Jersey
Injury claims are filed in the Civil Part of the Law Division. In Bergen County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage (2nd Vicinage), 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, telephone (201) 527-2700, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, which sets a two-year filing limit for injury claims; tolling rules and exceptions can change that period, so confirm your deadline early. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Bergen County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Bergen County NJ lawyers directory · Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Monmouth County, NJ.