FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY – February 19, 2026 – Lebedin Kofman LLP has published a comprehensive legal guide titled “Leaving the Scene of an Accident in New York: Misdemeanor vs. Felony Charges” on its website, providing an in-depth breakdown of how New York law classifies and penalizes drivers who leave the scene of an accident without fulfilling their legal obligations.
The article examines New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600, the central statute governing what is commonly referred to as a hit-and-run offense. The guide explains how charges escalate depending on the circumstances — from a non-criminal traffic infraction when only property damage is involved, to a Class A misdemeanor when personal injury occurs, to a Class D felony when a victim dies as a result of the incident. The publication details the affirmative duties every driver must fulfill after an accident, including stopping, exhibiting a license and insurance card, exchanging identifying information, and reporting the incident to law enforcement when required.
The guide also addresses how prosecutors in New York City and Long Island evaluate these cases, including how a victim's worsening condition can result in charges being upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony. Additionally, the article outlines common defense strategies — such as contesting the driver's knowledge of an injury, disputing the classification of the injury itself, and challenging constitutional or evidentiary issues — as well as the separate administrative consequences drivers face from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, including license suspension and revocation.
Written for drivers, individuals currently under investigation, and anyone seeking to understand New York's vehicular laws, the guide is intended to serve as an accessible and authoritative resource on one of the more consequential areas of New York criminal and traffic law.
About Lebedin Kofman LLP: Lebedin Kofman LLP is a boutique criminal defense law firm serving clients throughout New York City and Long Island, including Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. The firm's attorneys have decades of combined experience defending clients against a full range of criminal and traffic charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, DWI/DUI, vehicular assault, drug crimes, sex offenses, and federal matters. Lebedin Kofman LLP also handles civil rights litigation and is committed to providing individualized, aggressive representation to every client.
For more information about Lebedin Kofman LLP and its services, please contact:
Russ Kofman, Esq.
Founding Partner
Lebedin Kofman LLP
26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10004
Phone: 646-663-4430
Email: info@lebedinkofmanlaw.com
Website: https://www.lebedinkofman.com
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