Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury

In Massachusetts, it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident where personal injury resulted and without leaving your identity, address and registration information of your vehicle.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24(2)(a1/2)(1) punishes violators of the crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury with imprisonment in the for not less than 6 months up to 2 years in the House of Corrections.

In order to be found guilty of the crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury, the prosecutor must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt:
  1. That the defendant operated a motor vehicle;
  2. That he operated it on a public way or in a place where the public has a right of access;
  3. That while the defendant was operating the vehicle, he collided with, or caused injury in some other way, to another person;
  4. That the defendant knew that he had collided with, or caused injury in some other way to another person; and
  5. That after such collision or injury, the defendant did not stop and make known his name, home address, and the registration number of his vehicle.
The extent of the damage or injury is not relevant except to the extent that it is circumstantial evidence of whether or not the defendant knew that there had been a collision.

The purpose of the statute outlining the crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury is to enable anyone whose person or property has been injured by a motor vehicle to obtain immediate and accurate information about the person in charge of that motor vehicle.  It imposes an active and positive duty on the driver immediately to stop at the scene and offer the specific information required by the statute, in order to identify him and to make it simple to find him later.

Boston Criminal Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis has experience in defending persons charged with the crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, as well as other Motor Vehicle Offenses.

To schedule a Free Consultation with Attorney Lefteris K. Travayiakis and discuss your criminal case, Contact Us Online or call 617-325-9500.