Leaving the Scene of an Accident

In Massachusetts, it is a crime if you knowingly collide or get into an accident with your vehicle and fail to stop or make your identity and the registration of your vehicle known.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24(2)(a) punishes violators of the crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with imprisonment of not less than 2 weeks 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, the prosecutor must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. That the defendant operated a motor vehicle;
2. That the defendant operated a motor vehicle 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 vehicle or property;
4. That the defendant knew that he had collided with, or caused injury in some other way, to another vehicle or property; 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 motor vehicle.

The extent of the damage or injury cause is not relevant except to the extent that it is circumstantial evidence to whether or not the defendant knew that there had been a collision.

The purpose of the statute governing the crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident is to enable anyone whose person or property has been injured by another 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, in order to identify him and to make it simple to find him later.

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

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