Abandoned accident site
A person involved in a traffic accident or whose conduct has caused a traffic accident is forbidden to leave the scene of the accident if he knows or should suspect that someone has been killed, injured or left helpless in that traffic accident. Also, a person may not leave the scene of the traffic accident if their identity has not been revealed. This of course has to do with the possibility of holding the person who caused the accident liable for the damage. If you or someone close to you is suspected of leaving the scene of a traffic accident, it is important to call in an expert lawyer. The lawyers at our firm have a great deal of experience in handling criminal cases, including traffic cases. Please contact us for assistance and advice.
Leaving the scene of a traffic accident is punishable under art. 7 of the Road Traffic Act. You will find the legal text below:
Article 7
1. The person involved in a traffic accident or whose conduct caused a traffic accident is prohibited from leaving the scene of the accident if:
a. in the event of that accident, to the best of his knowledge or reasonable belief, another person was killed or injury or damage was inflicted on another person;
b. as a result of which, to the best of his knowledge or belief, another person injured in that accident is left helpless.
2. The first paragraph, opening words and part a, does not apply to the person who, at the site of the accident, properly gave the opportunity to establish his identity and, in so far as he was driving a motor vehicle, also the identity of that motor vehicle.
Penalty for leaving the scene of a traffic accident
Many people wonder what punishment someone can expect for leaving the scene of a traffic accident, but that question can never be answered just like that. Punishment is tailor-made. In the case of a conviction, the judge looks at all kinds of factors, such as the circumstances under which the offence was committed, the person of the suspect, the maximum sentence and judgments in similar cases. The lawyers at our firm can make a realistic assessment of a possible penalty, even if it is ultimately up to the court to make the decision.
Our lawyers can assist you throughout the Netherlands. We litigate at the Courts of Alkmaar, Almelo, Amsterdam, Arnhem, Assen, Breda, Dordrecht, The Hague, Groningen, Haarlem, 's-Hertogenbosch, Leeuwarden, Lelystad, Maastricht, Middelburg, Roermond, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zutphen and Zwolle, the Courts of Appeal in Amsterdam, Arnhem, The Hague, 's-Hertogenbosch and Leeuwarden and the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague.
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