Final answer:
New Jersey law mandates notifying police in the event of property damage, personal injury, or death due to an accident. Your duty to report such incidents is crucial for legal records, timely aid, and initiating legal processes. Insurance may cover expenses relating to the accident for those affected.
Step-by-step explanation:
New Jersey law requires that police must be notified of an accident involving any of the following: property damage, personal injury, or death. This means if you witness a car accident, it is your legal obligation to contact the authorities if there is damage to vehicles or property, if anyone has been injured, or if there has been a fatality. These laws are put in place to ensure that there is an official record of the incident, that anyone injured can receive timely aid, and that any necessary legal proceedings are accurately initiated.
For example, in scenarios presented, like witnessing a car accident on the way to an appointment, Ross's concept of prima facie duty may apply where a moral obligation to help those injured could outweigh the duty to one's personal commitments. Similarly, insurance policies often include payouts for such incidents, covering medical expenses, death, and damage to vehicles or property. If you find yourself being the only witness to such a scenario, it's important to remember that your immediate action to contact the authorities could be critical for the well-being of those involved.