All car crashes are difficult to deal with, but a hit-and-run accident poses challenges not found in typical accident cases. You may be seriously hurt, but the other driver has fled the scene and is nowhere to be found. It’s an unfair and frustrating situation.
If the other driver is eventually caught, they will face criminal charges for their actions. You may be able to hold them civilly liable as well. Our hit-and-run accident lawyers in Staten Island can help you understand your options and seek compensation for your damages.
Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $100 million in awards and settlements for injured New York residents. Call today for your free consultation and learn more about how our Staten Island car accident lawyers can help.
Why Hit-and-Run Cases Are So Difficult
A hit-and-run case can be more challenging because the other driver has already violated the rule of staying at the scene of the accident. You might only have partial details, such as part of a license plate number, the color of the vehicle, or a brief description from a witness.
The police will attempt to identify the responsible motorist if possible, but they aren’t always successful. Without the other driver, liability can be harder to prove, and you may have no legal recourse if you experience a serious injury.
Unless they are arrested or turn themselves in, you’re left dealing with the aftermath yourself. That doesn’t mean you are alone. Our Staten Island personal injury lawyers will work to maximize any available sources of compensation.
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How Our Legal Team Can Help
A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling helpless. When the other driver flees the scene and refuses to take accountability for their actions, you are left injured and with few options. Our hit-and-run car accident lawyers can help:
- We handle all communication with insurers so that nothing you say is used to reduce or deny your claim.
- Our team can evaluate your auto policy to determine what coverage is available and handle the claim disputes that insurers routinely raise.
- Help you understand how long you have to file a claim or lawsuit after a car accident in New York.
- If the at-fault driver is later located, we can build the liability case and file suit before the statute of limitations expires.
- Our hit-and-run lawyers can work with your medical providers and document your injuries in a way that satisfies New York’s serious injury threshold.
Getting the legal help you need while you recover is one of the biggest reasons you should get a lawyer after a car accident.
No-Fault Insurance
In New York, your own insurance will pay for basic economic losses after a car accident, no matter who caused the crash. This No-Fault insurance system applies even if the other driver has left the scene and has not been found.
Your benefits usually cover:
- Your medical expenses
- A portion of lost earnings
- Certain necessary costs related to the accident, up to your policy limits
However, No-Fault does not cover everything. To seek additional compensation, you usually must meet New York’s serious injury threshold or have another valid basis for a claim.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The challenge in a hit-and-run crash arises when your damages are beyond your No-Fault benefit caps. New York law limits lawsuits in many car accident cases unless the injured person meets the legal threshold for a serious injury.
In a hit-and-run crash, Uninsured Motorist coverage can be helpful. If the other driver is not found, this part of your auto policy might help you recover damages that No-Fault coverage does not pay, such as pain and suffering.
If the hit-and-run driver is never identified, unfortunately, you cannot file a claim against their insurance even if you meet the serious injury threshold. Our hit-and-run accident attorneys in Staten Island can evaluate your policy to make the most of your coverage.
Deadlines in a Hit-and-Run Case
New York gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under CPLR Section 214. In most cases, that clock begins running on the day of the crash. While the three-year deadline is generally strict, there are very limited circumstances where a deadline might be extended, such as if a known defendant leaves the state for a significant period.
If police eventually identify the driver who hit you, this extends your ability to pursue additional legal action when you meet the state’s requirements. Even more important is meeting deadlines under your No-Fault insurance policy.
Typically, you must file with your own auto policy within 30 days of the date of the accident. Contacting our Staten Island hit-and-run accident lawyers is one of the first things you should do right after a car accident in New York, so you don’t miss important deadlines.
Talk to Our Hit-and-Run Attorneys in Staten Island
A hit-and-run crash can leave you dealing with serious injuries, mounting debt, and a lot of missing information. You may not know who hit you, and that means any financial help may need to come from your own insurance providers.
Hit-and-run accidents aren’t just frustrating; they’re illegal. Under New York law, a motorist may not leave the scene of an accident involving injuries or major vehicle damage. If the perpetrator is found, our hit-and-run accident attorneys in Staten Island can seek maximum compensation.
Our team at Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers has more than 100 years of combined legal experience. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us about your hit-and-run accident case.