Hit and Run Lawyer Manhattan
Manhattan drivers involved in a collision sometimes refer to leaving the scene as a “hit and run,” even though New York law does not use that phrase in the statute itself. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., represents drivers charged under N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 600, titled “Leaving scene of an incident without reporting,” in connection with collisions involving property damage, personal injury, or both. The statute does not contain “degrees.” Instead, the grading of a charge depends on the specific subdivision involved and the factual circumstances of the incident, including whether the collision caused property damage only, personal injury, or a more serious outcome. A driver who leaves the scene of a collision involving only property damage faces a different level of exposure than a driver involved in a collision that caused personal injury, and the penalties increase further where a prior conviction, serious physical injury, or death is involved. Because the statute’s structure is easy to misunderstand, particularly the absence of formal “degrees,” an accurate assessment of which subdivision applies to a given incident is an important first step. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys review the facts of each collision, the nature of any damage or injury, and the driver’s conduct at the scene before discussing the case. Call (888) 437-7747 to discuss a hit and run matter pending in Manhattan.
What Hit and Run Charges Mean in Manhattan
New York’s leaving-scene statute, N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 600, is officially titled “Leaving scene of an incident without reporting.” Despite the common label “hit and run,” the statute contains no “degrees.” Grading depends entirely on the specific subdivision violated and the facts of the incident.
Under § 600(1), a driver who knows or has cause to know that a vehicle caused damage to another person’s property must stop, exhibit a license and insurance identification card, and provide identifying and insurance information, or report the incident to the nearest police station if the other party is not present. A violation involving only property damage is a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail, or both.
Under § 600(2), similar duties apply where the incident causes personal injury, including a duty to report to a police officer if one is present at the scene. The grading of a personal-injury violation depends on the specific circumstances. Under § 600(2)(c), a violation resulting solely from a failure to exhibit a license or insurance identification card, or to exchange identifying information, is a class B misdemeanor on a first offense, with a fine of $250 to $500, and a class A misdemeanor on a second or subsequent offense, with a fine of $500 to $1,000. Any other violation of § 600(2)(a) is a class A misdemeanor, with a fine of $750 to $1,000. Where the driver has a prior conviction under this section, the charge becomes a class E felony, with a fine of $1,000 to $3,000. Where the incident results in serious physical injury, the charge is a class E felony, with a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. Where the incident results in death, the charge is a class D felony, with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000.
Because the statute covers both property-damage and personal-injury scenarios, and because the grading escalates significantly based on injury severity and prior record, an accurate understanding of which provision applies to a given incident is essential for anyone facing this type of charge in Manhattan.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Hit and Run Cases
Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent drivers charged under § 600 in the New York State trial courts in Manhattan, in cases involving property damage, personal injury, or both. The representation begins with a review of the incident itself, including what the driver knew or had reason to know about any damage or injury, and what steps, if any, the driver took at the scene or afterward.
Mr. Sris brings his background as a former prosecutor to these cases, along with a background in accounting and information systems from George Mason University that has been applied to complex financial and technology-related cases, including matters involving detailed documentation such as insurance records, vehicle damage reports, and medical records connected to a personal-injury allegation. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional courtroom experience in New York leaving-scene and traffic prosecutions to the representation.
Because the grading of a § 600 charge depends heavily on the specific subdivision and factual circumstances, including whether the case involves only a failure to exchange information, a more serious personal-injury allegation, or a prior conviction, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate each element of the charge individually rather than assuming a uniform outcome. The attorneys discuss the applicable subdivision, the potential grading, and the range of penalties with each client before addressing how to proceed in the New York State trial courts in Manhattan.
Prospective clients can request a consultation to discuss a pending hit and run matter, whether it involves property damage, personal injury, or a more serious allegation. The firm maintains a phone intake line staffed 24/7 for drivers who need to begin that process outside standard business hours.
About the Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background in accounting and information systems from George Mason University has been applied to complex financial and technology-related cases throughout his practice. In leaving-scene matters, that background supports a detailed review of insurance documentation, vehicle damage evidence, and medical records connected to personal-injury allegations under § 600.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional experience in New York traffic and criminal defense to the representation of clients facing hit and run charges in Manhattan. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work together to evaluate each incident, the specific subdivision charged, and the facts surrounding the driver’s conduct at the scene.
The firm’s principal office is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and the firm represents clients appearing in the New York State trial courts in Manhattan. The firm does not offer free consultations. Clients facing a hit and run charge, whether involving property damage or personal injury, can request a consultation to discuss the case. The firm maintains a phone intake line staffed 24/7, allowing prospective clients to reach the firm outside standard business hours to begin scheduling that consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “hit and run” an official charge in New York?
No. New York’s statute, N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 600, is officially titled “Leaving scene of an incident without reporting.” The term “hit and run” is a common, colloquial label rather than the statute’s actual name. The statute also contains no formal “degrees.” Instead, the specific charge and its grading depend on the subdivision violated, whether the incident involved property damage or personal injury, and factors such as prior convictions or the severity of any injury.
What are the penalties for leaving the scene of a property-damage incident?
Under § 600(1), a violation involving only property damage is a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail, or both. This subdivision applies when a driver knows or has cause to know that a vehicle caused damage to another person’s property and fails to stop, exhibit identification, provide information, or report the incident to the nearest police station when the other party is not present.
What happens if the incident involved a personal injury?
Under § 600(2), a driver has duties similar to the property-damage subdivision, including reporting to a police officer if one is present. The grading depends on the circumstances. A violation resulting solely from a failure to exhibit identification or exchange information is a class B misdemeanor on a first offense and a class A misdemeanor on a second or subsequent offense. Any other violation under § 600(2)(a) is a class A misdemeanor, with more serious grading where a prior conviction, serious physical injury, or death is involved.
Can a hit and run charge become a felony?
Yes. Under § 600(2), a charge becomes a class E felony where the driver has a prior conviction under the section, with a fine of $1,000 to $3,000, or where the incident results in serious physical injury, with a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. Where the incident results in death, the charge becomes a class D felony, with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000. These felony classifications carry significantly higher fine ranges than the misdemeanor-level violations under the same statute, reflecting the increased severity of the underlying incident.
What should a driver do immediately after a collision in Manhattan?
New York law requires a driver who knows or has cause to know that a collision caused property damage or personal injury to stop, exhibit license and insurance identification, and provide identifying and insurance information, or report the incident to the nearest police station if the other party is not present. Leaving the scene without completing these steps can lead to charges under § 600. Anyone involved in a collision in Manhattan who has questions about these obligations can request a consultation to discuss the specific facts.
Related Pages
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.
Manhattan County cases are handled by our New York hit and run practice, where the whole process is set out.