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Attorney Brian Simoneau is a great lawyer. He is very versed on the current laws and he will help you convey a well organized winning case. I would highly recommend him.
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Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, leaving the scene of an accident after causing personal injury or property damage is a criminal offense. The law requires drivers who knowingly collide with another person, vehicle, or object to stop and provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number. Failing to do so can result in severe criminal and administrative penalties.

License Suspensions for Leaving the Scene

  • Property Damage:
    A first offense for leaving the scene of a property damage accident carries a 60-day license revocation. A second offense within three years results in a 1-year license revocation.

  • Personal Injury:
    A first offense for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident carries a 1-year license suspension, and a second offense results in a 2-year suspension. Prior offenses are considered for life—there is no lookback limit.

  • Fatal Accidents:
    A conviction for leaving the scene of a fatal accident, under G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a½)(2), results in a 3-year license suspension.

In some cases, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) may also revoke your vehicle’s registration, making it illegal to operate that vehicle on any public road until the registration plates are surrendered and the revocation is cleared.

Judicial Discretion to Avoid Suspension

Massachusetts law gives judges limited discretion to recommend that the RMV not impose a license suspension following a leaving the scene conviction. This is a little-known but important provision that can sometimes prevent an otherwise automatic suspension when a judge explicitly makes such a recommendation.

Habitual Traffic Offender Consequences

Leaving the scene of an accident—whether it involves property damage or personal injury—is considered a major offense under the Massachusetts Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) law (G.L. c. 90, § 22F). The RMV counts these convictions toward the three “major violations” or twelve total violations that can trigger a four-year HTO revocation.

Hardship License Eligibility

While the RMV does not have explicit authority to grant hardship licenses for leaving the scene suspensions, the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal has the discretion to do so after a formal hearing. This relief is not automatic, and the Board carefully considers the circumstances of each case before deciding whether to reinstate limited driving privileges.

If your driver’s license or right to operate has been suspended due to a leaving the scene conviction, it’s essential to speak with an attorney experienced in RMV and Board of Appeal cases. An attorney can evaluate your situation, identify potential legal remedies, and help you present the strongest possible case for reinstatement.

How Leaving the Scene Can Affect DUI Cases

When reviewing hardship license requests in Operating Under the Influence (OUI) cases, both the RMV and the Board of Appeal may interpret a leaving the scene charge as an indicator of impaired driving—often assuming the driver fled the scene to avoid a potential OUI arrest. This perception can make obtaining a hardship license more difficult without skilled legal representation.

Contact an Experienced Massachusetts License Suspension Attorney

If your license has been suspended for leaving the scene of an accident, you may still have options. Contact Attorney Brian E. Simoneau for a free consultation to review your case and determine the best path toward reinstating your driving privileges.