New York Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a car crash is scary, frustrating, and potentially even something that changes your life. While there are dozens of emotions that may emerge following a crash, one of the most palpable may be anger—especially if you’ve been involved in an accident with a driver who fled the scene of the accident. 

Being involved in a New York hit-and-run can be maddening and concerning: who will pay for damages if the at-fault driver has left the scene? If you’ve been in a hit-and-run crash in New York, our accident attorneys at the law office of Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP can help. Reach out to us today to learn more about your rights and your options. 

Legal Requirements After a Car Accident in New York

When two vehicles are involved in a crash, there are certain requirements that the drivers of those vehicles are expected to follow. Indeed, drivers are required to stop their vehicles, check to see if anyone is injured and if there is any property damage, exchange information with each other, and report the accident to the police in the event that there are any injuries, or if property damage exceeds $1,500.

When a driver flees the scene of an accident instead of doing the above, they are guilty of a hit-and-run, which carries penalties of potential fines and jail times. For the victim of a hit-and-run, though, the most frustrating part is usually not getting the at-fault driver’s insurance information and therefore being unable to file a claim for damages against the at-fault party. 

Who Will Pay for My Damages After a Crash? 

While a driver fleeing the scene of the accident is nothing short of infuriating, it is still possible to recover compensation to help pay for your damages after a crash, including the value of your medical expenses, property damage costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other economic and noneconomic losses. Sources of compensation after a hit-and-run might include:

• Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. All drivers in New York are required to carry Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage. This type of coverage helps to pay for your damages after a crash regardless of fault and can be used even in instances when the other driver has fled the scene of the accident. Basic no-fault coverage includes compensation for your medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, death benefits, and reimbursement of other necessary medical expenses. 

• Uninsured motorist coverage. Another important type of coverage to have is uninsured motorist coverage, which is also required in New York. This type of coverage will not cover property damage costs following an accident but will pay for bodily injury-related costs following an accident where the responsible driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to pay for your losses. 

• Other insurance coverage types and sources of compensation. In addition to the above, there may be other sources of compensation available. For example, if another third party was to blame for the crash in fault—such as the manufacturer of a defective vehicle or a party responsible for road maintenance—you can pursue damages against this party. Additionally, your attorney may be able to work with doctors/hospitals to forgive some of your medical debt, reducing your financial burden after a crash. 

Why Do I Need to Work with a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in New York?

If you’ve been in a serious accident in New York that involved a hit-and-run driver, one of the first things that you should do is call a hit-and-run accident lawyer in New York with experience working on cases like yours. Your attorney can help you to understand your legal options, and may also be able to work with the police to track down and identify the at-fault driver. Your attorney will also represent you in conversations with the insurance adjusters working on your case and will negotiate your settlement offer. Your chances of being able to recover a fair settlement and be compensated for your losses increase when you work with an attorney. 

Call Our New York Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Today 

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident in New York, our New York hit-and-run accident lawyer at the office of Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP understands what you’re going through, empathizes with your frustration and anger, and can help you to recover compensation for your losses. To learn more about your legal options, call our office for a free, no-obligation consultation.