A 33-year-old DoorDash delivery worker riding an e-bike was critically injured when a driver struck him on Nostrand Avenue in Crown Heights and kept going. As a Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyer team, we are thinking of him and his family. According to amNewYork, citing police, the crash happened at about 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in front of 594 Nostrand Avenue. ABC7 New York reported Wednesday evening that police were still searching for the driver.
Below, we share what has been reported, why delivery workers face such high risks on city streets, and what riders and families should know about their rights after a Brooklyn hit and run.
What Happened on Nostrand Avenue
- Police said the driver of a white 2026 Hyundai Elantra was heading south in the center lane of Nostrand Avenue and changed lanes toward the right lane, striking the e-bike rider and throwing him into the roadway, according to amNewYork.
- The driver did not stop. ABC7 reported that surveillance video shows the car hitting the rider and leaving.
- The rider suffered severe head trauma and was taken to Kings County Hospital in critical condition. Police said he was not wearing a helmet, amNewYork reported.
- Officers from the 77th Precinct responded, and the NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests had been reported as of Wednesday.
Anyone with information can call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (Spanish: 888-57-PISTA) or submit a tip at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been announced.
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Why Delivery Workers Face Serious Risks on NYC Streets
App-based delivery workers spend long hours riding in traffic, often at night and on busy commercial corridors like Nostrand Avenue. ABC7 quoted Alexa Sledge of Transportation Alternatives, who called delivery work one of the most dangerous jobs in New York City and said 97% of city streets lack a protected bike lane.
The data shows how vulnerable two-wheeled riders are. According to the NYC Department of Transportation, 20 riders of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, including 6 e-bike riders, died on city streets in the first half of 2025. Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 1,103 bicyclists and other cyclists were killed in 2024 and an estimated 52,887 were injured.
Your Legal Rights After a Hit-and-Run in Brooklyn
When the driver is never found: MVAIC
A hit-and-run does not always leave an injured person without options. In New York, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, known as MVAIC, can provide certain benefits to people injured by unidentified or uninsured drivers when no other insurance applies. Strict rules apply: a hit-and-run generally must be reported to police within 24 hours, and a notice of intention to make a claim generally must be filed with MVAIC within 90 days. If the injured person or a relative in their household has their own auto policy, that policy’s coverage may apply first.
No-Fault and e-bike riders
Cyclists hit by a car are often eligible for New York No-Fault benefits for medical bills and lost wages. Whether an e-bike rider qualifies can depend on the type of e-bike, so a lawyer should review the details. To recover for pain and suffering against an at-fault driver, an injured person generally must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold.
If the driver is identified
If police find the driver, the injured rider may bring a claim against that driver and the vehicle’s owner. New York follows comparative negligence, so an injured person can still recover even if an insurer argues they share some fault, such as by not wearing a helmet, though any award may be reduced by their share.
Delivery workers and work-related coverage
Whether workers’ compensation or other work-related coverage applies to an app-based delivery worker can depend on how the worker is classified and the facts of the job. A DoorDash accident lawyer or food delivery accident lawyer can review every possible source of benefits.
Deadlines
Most personal injury lawsuits in New York must be filed within three years. MVAIC, No-Fault and claims against the City (for example, over a dangerous road condition, which generally require a Notice of Claim within 90 days) have much shorter deadlines, so it is important to act quickly.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Bike Accident
- Call 911 and get medical care immediately. Head injuries can be more serious than they first appear.
- Report the crash to police right away, ideally within 24 hours, which can matter for MVAIC.
- Write down anything about the vehicle: color, make, partial plate and direction of travel.
- Look for cameras. Nearby businesses, buses and doorbells may have video, but it can be recorded over within days.
- Get witness names and phone numbers.
- Keep your bike, helmet and delivery bag in their post-crash condition.
- Talk to a hit and run accident lawyer in NYC before giving recorded statements to any insurer.
How Chaikin Trial Group Helps Injured Riders in Brooklyn
Chaikin Trial Group represents injured cyclists, e-bike riders and delivery workers across Brooklyn and the rest of New York City from our Manhattan office at 450 7th Avenue and our Melville office on Long Island. Our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers and bicycle accident attorneys move quickly to preserve video, work with investigators and pursue every available source of recovery, including MVAIC and No-Fault claims. When a crash happens on the job, our work injury lawyers can review whether additional benefits apply.
Learn more about our car accident practice, see our case results and read client reviews. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is MVAIC and can it help after a hit and run in NYC?
MVAIC is a New York program that can provide certain benefits to people hurt by unidentified or uninsured drivers when no other insurance is available. After a hit and run in NYC, it may cover medical expenses and lost wages, but strict reporting and notice deadlines apply.
Do I need a DoorDash accident lawyer if I was hurt while delivering?
Delivery workers may have several possible sources of recovery, including No-Fault, MVAIC, a claim against the driver and work-related coverage. A lawyer can help sort out which apply and protect your deadlines.
Can I still recover if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Possibly. New York uses comparative negligence, so not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar a claim, though an insurer may argue it reduces the damages. A Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyer can explain how this may affect your case.
How quickly should I contact a Brooklyn personal injury lawyer after a hit-and-run?
As soon as you can. Video can be overwritten within days, and MVAIC and No-Fault deadlines are short. See more answers on our FAQ page.
Conclusion
The Crown Heights hit-and-run is a painful reminder of the risks delivery workers and bike riders face every day on Brooklyn streets. If you or a loved one was hurt, a Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyer at Chaikin Trial Group is here to help. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. See all the areas we serve.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.
Sources:
- amNewYork, “Delivery worker left fighting for his life after being struck by hit-and-run driver in Brooklyn” (Oct. 21, 2026): https://www.amny.com/new-york/brooklyn/delivery-worker-struck-brooklyn-hit-and-run-10212026/
- ABC7 New York, “Driver sought after DoorDash cyclist critically hurt in Crown Heights hit-and-run” (Oct. 21, 2026): https://abc7ny.com/post/doordash-cyclist-critically-injured-brooklyn-hit-run/19965129/
- NYC DOT, Vision Zero first-half 2025 press release: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2025/vision-zero.shtml
- NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts: Bicyclists and Other Cyclists, 2024 Data: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/92690
