A hit-and-run accident can leave you with uncertainty about your future. When the person responsible for the accident drives away without stopping or exchanging information, you may be left to pay for a crash that wasn’t your fault.
In this situation, explore your rights and legal options with a highly experienced car accident attorney before proceeding. The right lawyer can help you protect yourself in multiple ways during this difficult time.
What Is a Hit-and-Run?
A “hit-and-run” is a car accident where the at-fault driver flees the scene and leaves without stopping, rather than fulfilling the legal obligation that every New York driver has to pull over, render aid and exchange information. After a hit-and-run, it can be difficult for a victim to recover fair financial compensation, as the at-fault party may remain unidentified and unable to provide insurance coverage.
What Are My Recovery Options After a Hit-and-Run Accident in New York?
If you get injured or suffer property damage in a hit-and-run crash in New York, you may be able to receive financial benefits to help make you whole again through one or more insurance policies:
- Your insurance: New York is a no-fault state, where every driver files a claim with their own insurance policy, regardless of fault. Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance should pay for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. You may also have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance to pay for a hit-and-run.
- The driver’s insurance: if the hit-and-run driver is found and identified, you can file a claim with his or her car insurance company in pursuit of compensation for your losses. Every driver in New York is required to maintain minimum amounts of liability insurance.
- A third party: depending on the circumstances, you may also have the right to file a claim against an auto part manufacturer, a government agency or another party after a New York hit-and-run.
You may have grounds to recover damages from one or multiple parties, even if the other driver is never found. The most effective way to maximize your financial recovery is by contacting an attorney right away after your crash.
What to Do After a New York Hit-and-Run
Before anything else, check yourself and other people in your vehicle for injuries. Keep in mind that adrenaline from the car accident may mask pain. Call 911 to request a paramedic or go to the nearest emergency room right away for a full checkup.
Call the police to notify them of the hit-and-run, even if there are no injuries. Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime in New York. Having a police report is important if you wish to take legal action or file an insurance claim after your crash.
Document the scene as much as possible before you leave by taking pictures of any relevant details. Gather the information of any vehicle passengers and eyewitnesses. Look around for nearby cameras that may have caught the hit-and-run accident on tape.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
When you’re ready to pursue financial compensation for your hit-and-run, contact Abaev Law Firm, PLLC for a free initial case consultation. Our car accident attorneys have years of experience representing clients in New York. We can help you navigate this complex type of claim in a way that maximizes your financial recovery as much as possible. Call (212) 540-1306 today for more information.