A hit and run can leave you dealing with serious injuries, costly vehicle damage, and other unexpected expenses. If you were the victim of one, you may be wondering whether your insurance will cover your losses.
So, does insurance cover a hit and run in New York? Yes, your own auto insurance typically covers your losses after a hit and run, though the extent of your coverage will depend on the specifics of your policies and other case-specific factors.
Recovering fair compensation for a hit and run can be difficult, especially if the other driver isn’t identified. A Long Island car accident lawyer can take on your case and help maximize your settlement.
Does Insurance Cover a Hit and Run in New York?
Yes, insurance typically covers hit-and-run accidents in New York. However, the extent of your coverage will depend on the type of damages you sustained and the specifics of your insurance policies.
New York follows a no-fault insurance system, which means your own insurance company generally pays for certain losses regardless of who caused your accident. If you are injured in a hit-and-run crash, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays for medical expenses, lost income, and certain other types of damages.
In addition, uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation since a hit-and-run driver is treated similarly to an uninsured driver under New York law. Other factors that will affect the availability of compensation include the severity of your injuries, whether there was physical contact between the vehicles, and whether the driver who fled can be identified.
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How Does No-Fault Insurance Work in New York?
New York requires drivers to carry no-fault insurance coverage. This system is designed to cover certain expenses after an accident without requiring injured parties to prove fault. After a hit-and-run crash, your Personal Injury Protection benefits may cover:
- Medical expenses (including hospital bills)
- Rehabilitation costs
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages (up to your policy’s limits)
- Transportation expenses related to your medical care
- Certain necessary household services
PIP coverage generally applies regardless of whether the other driver remains at the scene or can be identified. It does not compensate you for pain and suffering or vehicle damage.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
When a driver leaves the scene of a crash and cannot be located, insurance companies often treat the vehicle as an uninsured vehicle. As a result, uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation for certain expenses that exceed the limits of your PIP coverage.
Specifically, this coverage may help compensate you for:
- Pain and suffering
- Additional lost income
- Future medical bills
- Permanent injuries
- Disability-related losses
- Reduced earning capacity
Does Insurance Cover Vehicle Damage After a Hit and Run?
Whether damage to your vehicle will be covered after a hit and run depends on the type of insurance policy you carry. No-fault insurance does not pay for repairs to your vehicle. However, your collision coverage may provide compensation for vehicle damage.
If you have collision coverage, your insurer may pay for repairs regardless of who caused the accident. You may still be responsible for your deductible, although reimbursement may be possible if the fleeing driver is later identified.
Without collision coverage, recovering compensation for vehicle damage will become significantly more difficult, especially if the at-fault driver cannot be found.
What Happens If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found?
If law enforcement identifies the driver responsible for the hit-and-run accident, additional sources of recovery may become available.
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance may be responsible for losses such as:
- Medical expenses not covered by no-fault benefits
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Future treatment costs
- Other accident-related damages
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Everything you do after a hit-and-run accident can affect your ability to obtain compensation.
You should:
- Call 911 and file an accident report.
- Write down everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle, such as its color, make, model, and license plate number.
- Take photographs of the accident scene and vehicle damage.
- Gather contact information from witnesses.
- See a doctor, even if you feel fine.
- Notify your insurance company promptly.
- Save all medical records and repair estimates related to your case.
- Contact a car accident lawyer to get help with your case.
Common Challenges in Hit-and-Run Insurance Claims
A variety of issues can arise during the hit-and-run claims process. Some of the most common challenges include:
- Driver identification problems: Insurance companies may dispute your claim if there is limited evidence that another vehicle was involved.
- Coverage disputes: Insurers may disagree about which policy provisions apply.
- Delayed reporting: Complications can arise if you wait too long to notify police or insurers after the accident.
- Questions about injuries: Insurance companies may challenge the severity or cause of certain injuries.
An attorney can help you overcome these challenges and recover the compensation you need to move past the accident.
Consult a Car Accident Attorney
Insurance will likely cover you after a hit and run, but that doesn’t mean recovering compensation will be easy. A dedicated car accident attorney from Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case, identify all potential sources of compensation, and help you obtain the money you are owed.
Book a free consultation to discuss your case with a lawyer.
