How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on Your Record in New Jersey?
Being involved in a car accident in New Jersey can come with various ramifications, from serious and painful physical injuries to expensive costs. One outcome you may not be anticipating, however, is the accident going on your driving record. How long a car accident will remain on the record, potentially causing associated negative outcomes, depends on the situation.
How Long Does an Accident Remain on Your Driving Record?
A car accident being put “on your record” in New Jersey can refer to your driving record as kept by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) or an automobile insurance company’s record of you as a client. The MVC and insurance companies can put car accidents on your file even if you are not at fault.
The length of time a car accident may remain on your record in New Jersey depends on the circumstances and type of record:
- Two to three years: the MVC keeps moving violations such as speeding or reckless driving (which may be associated with car accidents) on a driver’s license record for two to three years, depending on the type of violation. If a driver accumulates 12 or more points, it can result in driver’s license suspension.
- Three years: a reported automobile accident will typically remain on your driving record with the New Jersey MVC for three years from the date of the collision, whether or not you were at fault. If you weren’t to blame, the accident may be labeled in the system differently.
- Three to five years: most car insurance companies keep records of their clients’ car accidents for around three to five years, during which this information may be used to assess the client’s risk to calculate insurance premiums.
- Seven years: three to five years is standard practice for crash records among automobile insurance companies, but industry rules permit insurance carriers to hold onto car accident claim data for as long as seven years.
Some types of motor vehicle accidents can remain on your record longer than others in New Jersey. If you were found to be at fault for the crash or it involved a broken law, such as driving under the influence, it will most likely remain on your record longer than a crash that was caused by another driver. The severity of the damage can also affect how long the crash stays on a record. Contact a New Jersey personal injury lawyer for legal guidance and support.
What Are the Consequences of Having a Car Accident on Your Record in New Jersey?
Getting into an automobile accident can have long-lasting repercussions in terms of how you are viewed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and automobile insurance companies. Unfortunately, this is the case even if you are not at fault. An insurance company may view you as a higher accident risk because of your involvement in a collision either way.
At-fault car accidents on your insurance record can result in higher premiums (prices for coverage) for one to five years. If your driver’s license gets suspended or you are convicted of a crime, you may be required to purchase high-cost SR22 insurance (coverage for high-risk drivers) for a period of three years or longer. You may also be dropped by your insurance company and have to find a new provider.
The penalties of an at-fault car accident being entered onto your MVC record may include temporary driver’s license suspension or a more permanent revocation. You may also be required to pay fines and penalties or attend an approved driver improvement program. The exact lengths of time and/or amounts of any fines assessed will depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
If you have any questions about how long a recent car accident may stay on the record in your particular situation, contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., for a free consultation.