Experienced New York City Hit-and-Run Lawyer
New York City Hit-and-Run Lawyer
Find out why we are some of the best New York City hit-and-run lawyers
What is a Hit-and-Run Accident
A hit-and-run is a type of motor vehicle accident where the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash fails to stop and identify themselves at the scene.
In almost every state in the United States, it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident, especially if an injury or death is involved.
A variety of factors can cause them:
- Driver Distraction
- Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
Hit-and-run drivers often flee the scene because they are uninsured or do not want to be held responsible for their actions.
Victims of hit-and-run accidents often experience physical, emotional, and financial damages, and it can be challenging for them to recover without the help of a skilled legal professional.
Common injuries include the following:
- Catastrophic injury
- Facial injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Leg injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Accident fatalities
Hit-and-runs involving critical injury continue to be above pre-pandemic numbers. While they have declined 33% compared to last year, they are still up 50% year-to-date over 2019.
There were more hit-and-runs involving critical injury in each quarter during the pandemic — from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2022 — compared to the pre-pandemic in 2018, 2019, and the first quarter of 2020. [1]
Goldberg & Loren lawyers have experience handling hit-and-run cases and can help victims navigate the legal process and hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions.
Driver's Responsibility under New York Law
Under New York law, the driver’s responsibility for a hit-and-run accident is to immediately stop at the scene of the accident and remain on the scene until the proper authorities arrive.
The driver must also provide their name, address, license information, and insurance information to the other parties involved in the accident or to law enforcement officials.
If someone is injured in the accident, the driver must also render reasonable assistance to the accident victim, including calling for emergency medical assistance, whether they have minimal or severe injuries apparent at the scene.
Regardless of the legal consequences, the driver of a hit-and-run accident is also morally responsible for the damages caused by their actions. [2]
Penalties for Hit-and-Run Accidents
The penalties for a hit-and-run crash in New York can vary depending on the accident’s severity. If the accident resulted in property damage only, the driver may be charged with a misdemeanor. The penalties for this offense can include up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
If the accident caused physical injury to another person, the driver may be charged with a felony. The penalties for this offense can include up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, and license revocation.
If the hit-and-run accident resulted in the death of another person, the driver may be charged with a Class D Felony. The penalties for this offense can include up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, and license revocation.
Drivers who flee the scene of an accident may also face civil penalties. This can include being held liable for damages, such as the cost of medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
Understanding Your Rights and Options as a Victim of a Hit-and-Run
Right to Seek Medical Treatment
If you’re a hit-and-run accident victim, you have the legal right to seek medical treatment for your injuries.
Even if you feel that your injuries are minor, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. Sometimes, the full extent of injuries sustained in an accident may not be immediately apparent, and seeking medical treatment can help identify injuries that may need further attention.
After the accident, make sure to follow all medical advice and attend any follow-up appointments. Failure to comply with medical care instructions can negatively affect any claim you may make for compensation for damages in the future.
Right to File an Insurance Claim
After a hit-and-run accident in New York, you may be able to file an insurance claim if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional insurance coverage that can provide compensation for bodily injuries when the at-fault driver is uninsured, underinsured, or not found.
If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to recover adequate compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
To file a claim, you’ll need to contact your insurance company and provide them with all relevant information about the accident. This should include the time and location of the accident, the make and model of the vehicle that hit you (if known), and any other details that may help your insurance company investigate the accident.
Insurance policies often have strict deadlines for filing a claim, so contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident.
Your insurance company may also require you to file a police report before processing your claim.
Filing a Police Report
If you’re a victim of a hit-and-run accident in New York, you have the right to file a police report. Filing a police report is critical to the success of any accident claim you may make for compensation in the future.
Under New York law, it is required that drivers involved in an accident, whether they were at fault or not, report the accident to the police. This includes hit-and-run accidents.
Filing a police report can help document the accident, provide information about the other driver involved, and preserve important evidence that will be useful in any future legal action.
To file a police report, you should contact the local police department or the New York State Police, depending on where the accident occurred.
You should provide as much information as possible about the accident, including the time and location of the accident, a description of the other vehicle (if known), and any physical injuries sustained by you or other passengers.
If you saw the driver that caused the accident, remember to provide a description that will help law enforcement find them.
Hiring an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
As a victim of a hit-and-run accident in New York, you have the right to hire an experienced auto accident lawyer to help you navigate the legal process and pursue compensation for your injuries and compensation for property damage.
A New York City motor vehicle accident attorney from Goldberg & Loren can provide valuable guidance and assistance following a hit-and-run accident, helping you to recover damages and hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions.
We have the experience, knowledge, and resources needed to investigate the accident, identify any liable parties, and build a strong case for compensation on your behalf. We can also handle all communication with insurance companies, negotiate settlements, and represent your interests in court if necessary.
Goldberg & Loren’s experienced personal injury lawyers can also help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation. We can advise you on the types of damages you may be entitled to, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even future medical expenses.
We will help you gather evidence to support your claim, including eyewitness testimony, police reports, and medical records.
Taking legal action against a negligent driver after a hit-and-run accident can be a complex and overwhelming process, so having a skilled legal professional on your side can provide much-needed peace of mind during an already difficult time.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable and compassionate New York City hit-and-run lawyers at Goldberg & Loren to discuss your options for seeking justice and recovering damages after a hit-and-run accident.
How can a NYC Hit-and Run Lawyer Help?
Investigating the Scene of the Accident
The experienced car accident lawyers at Goldberg & Loren can help with the investigation of a hit-and-run accident in several ways.
We can help preserve and collect evidence. This includes gathering witness statements, obtaining traffic camera footage, examining the accident scene or accident report, accident photos, and analyzing any available forensic evidence. This includes witness testimony, surveillance footage, and any physical evidence such as skid marks or debris left at the scene.
Our skilled attorneys can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the investigation process and will help you decide whether pursuing a personal injury lawsuit is appropriate.
Our skilled hit-and-run lawyers can make a significant difference in the outcome of a hit-and-run accident case. We help to ensure that all important facts and evidence are taken into consideration, increase the likelihood of identifying the driver responsible, and can help you begin your financial recovery after your accident.
Establishing Who Was at Fault for the Accident
The Goldberg & Loren Law Firm experienced hit-and-run lawyers can help identify and locate the driver responsible for the accident. We can use our legal knowledge and resources to investigate the accident and track down leads that might otherwise go unnoticed. We work with investigators and other legal professionals to uncover additional information that can help locate the driver.
We may also consult with accident reconstruction experts to help reconstruct the accident and determine how it occurred. All of this information is used to build a strong case for our clients, proving the other driver was at fault for the accident and should be held liable for any damages.
Maximum Compensation and Recovering Maximum Damages
Goldberg & Loren accident lawyers can help you assess the dollar value of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of consortium.
Our experienced attorneys have extensive experience handling hit-and-run cases in New York City. We have successfully represented victims of hit-and-run accidents in a wide range of cases, from minor fender benders to major collisions involving serious injury or even death.
If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. Our experienced hit-and-run lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Sources
[1] New Hit-and-Run Data Reveal 129 Percent Increase Compared to Pre-Pandemic as Another Pedestrian Is Killed on Houston Street & mdash; Transportation Alternatives. (2022, July 15). Transportation Alternatives.
https://www.transalt.org/press-releases/new-hit-and-run-data-reveal-129-percent-increase-compared-to-pre-pandemic-as-another-pedestrian-is-killed-on-houston-street
[2] Chapter 12: If You Are in a Traffic Crash. (2013, November 25). New York DMV.
https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/chapter-12-if-you-are-traffic-crash
Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury Attorneys
5 Columbus Cir Suite 1501
New York, NY 10019
(646) 835-0311
If you were hit by an automobile and the driver fled you may not only have a criminal case but a civil personal injury case. Call us to find out!
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