Rockland County Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

Experienced Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys in New City

At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, we understand the profound shock, anger, and frustration that follow a hit-and-run accident. You've been injured, possibly seriously, through no fault of your own, but the person responsible fled the scene, leaving you there alone. Not only do you have to deal with the physical and emotional trauma, but also the daunting task of navigating the legal system to get money for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

For over 40 years, our firm has been a staunch advocate for victims of negligence in Rockland County and throughout New York. We're here to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Our team of New City hit-and-run accident lawyers handles each case with personalized attention, ensuring your needs and concerns are addressed with the utmost care and empathy. We will be your steadfast allies throughout this challenging journey.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident: Immediate Steps

The immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run accident can be disorienting and overwhelming. Acting swiftly and decisively is crucial to preserving your legal rights and building a strong case. Your actions in the moments and hours following the accident will significantly impact your ability to obtain compensation.

Here's what you should do:

• Ensure your safety: If possible and safe, move to a location away from oncoming traffic to prevent further injury. Prioritize your well-being above all else.
• Seek medical attention: Call emergency services or get yourself to a hospital immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, may not manifest immediately. Prompt medical attention will document your injuries, establish a timeline for treatment, and provide crucial evidence for your legal claim.
• Call 911: Reporting the accident to the police is essential for creating an official record of the incident. This record will be crucial in your legal pursuit of compensation. Provide as much detail as possible, including the direction of travel of the vehicle that hit you, its make, model, and color if you could see them.
• Document everything: If safe, take as many photographs and/or videos of the accident scene as possible. Document the location of the accident, the extent of any visible injuries, the damage to any vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signals, and any other relevant details. This visual evidence is invaluable in reconstructing the accident and supporting your claim.
• Gather witness information: Collect the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of any witnesses who observed the accident. Witness statements can provide crucial corroboration of your version of events. Record their accounts as accurately as possible.
• Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, following their specific reporting procedures. Document the date and time of your call, the name of the person you spoke with, and any claim or reference numbers provided.
• Contact a Rockland hit-and-run attorney: Surveillance footage is overwritten within 24 to 72 hours. Witnesses move on. Insurance companies begin building their position from the moment they receive your report. Early legal representation matters in these cases.

Common Causes of Hit-and-Run Accidents

Many factors contribute to hit-and-run accidents. Understanding these causes is crucial for both prevention and legal recourse.

Here are some of the most common:

• Driver intoxication(DUI): Impaired drivers often flee the scene to avoid immediate arrest and the legal consequences of driving under the influence. The presence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of an accident and the driver's subsequent attempt to evade responsibility.
• Distracted driving: Drivers who are distracted by cell phones, navigation systems, or other in-car activities are more likely to be involved in collisions. The distraction often leads to a delayed or inadequate response to the accident, resulting in a decision to flee the scene rather than face immediate consequences.
• Reckless driving: Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, and making unsafe lane changes, significantly increase the risk of accidents. The driver's careless actions often stem from a disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others, further motivating them to avoid accountability.
• Unlicensed or uninsured drivers: Drivers operating without a valid license or insurance often flee the scene to avoid the legal and financial ramifications of their actions. The absence of insurance coverage adds another layer of complexity to the situation, making it more likely that the driver will attempt to avoid responsibility.
• Fear of legal ramifications: Drivers may flee the scene because they fear arrest for DUI, driving without a license, or other legal violations. This fear can override rational decision-making, leading to a hasty and irresponsible response to the accident.

Consequences of Hit-and-Run Accidents

The aftermath of a hit-and-run accident extends far beyond the immediate physical injuries. Victims often face a cascade of devastating consequences.

Here are some of the most common:

• Severe injuries: Hit-and-run accidents frequently result in severe and life-altering injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and multiple fractures. These injuries can lead to long-term disability, requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and potentially lifelong support.
• Long-term disability: The severity of injuries sustained in hit-and-run accidents often results in long-term disabilities, impacting victims' ability to work, engage in daily activities, and maintain their quality of life. This can lead to significant financial hardship and emotional distress.
• Financial hardship: Medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the costs of ongoing treatment and rehabilitation can quickly add up, creating a significant financial burden on victims and their families. The lack of immediate accountability from the at-fault driver exacerbates this financial strain.
• Emotional trauma: The psychological impact of being struck by a vehicle and subsequently abandoned by the responsible driver can be profound. Victims often experience significant emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), requiring professional help to cope with the trauma.
• Wrongful death: In fatal hit-and-run cases, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim for their own losses, separately from the victim's estate claim. These cases move on an accelerated timeline and carry their own filing requirements.

When the Driver Is Never Found — Your Recovery Options

One of the most common fears among hit-and-run victims is that an unidentified driver means no compensation. Under New York law, that is not the case.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

New York Insurance Law § 3420 requires every auto insurance policy issued in the state to include uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury. This coverage applies directly to hit-and-run victims, including when the at-fault driver is never identified. The minimum required is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, though many policies carry higher limits.

New York Insurance Law § 5217 specifically governs UM claims involving unidentified vehicles. To qualify, physical contact between vehicles must typically be established. So, witness accounts and physical evidence from the scene are not optional, but are what make the claim work.

No-Fault (PIP) Coverage — The First Layer

New York is a no-fault state. Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage applies first, paying for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident or whether the driver was found. Once no-fault benefits are exhausted, UM coverage becomes the next layer of recovery for serious injuries.

Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (SUM) Coverage

SUM coverage extends beyond the basic UM minimum. In New York, SUM can be purchased up to $500,000 per accident. Victims with SUM coverage have substantially greater protection when their injuries exceed standard UM policy limits.

Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC)

If you have no applicable auto insurance policy (no personal policy, no household member's coverage), and the hit-and-run driver cannot be identified, MVAIC is New York's state-run safety net. To be eligible:

• The accident must be reported to the police promptly.
• A MVAIC claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident.
• The accident must have occurred within New York State.

Our Rockland hit-and-run accident lawyers review every available coverage layer from the first call, including UM, SUM, no-fault, household policies, and MVAIC eligibility, so no source of compensation is overlooked.

How Long Does a Hit-and-Run Case Take

Most straightforward uninsured motorist claims resolve within six to eighteen months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or an insurer who contests the claim can run two to three years, particularly when they proceed to AAA arbitration or civil trial.

What Hit-and-Run Victims in Rockland County Can Recover

The compensation available after a hit-and-run depends on the severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, and whether the at-fault driver is identified. New York law provides for both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover direct financial losses:

• Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and specialist treatment
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Projected future medical expenses where ongoing care is expected
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity from permanent injury
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident

Non-economic damages address harms without a fixed dollar value:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma, including PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium money damages to your spouse and the impact on the family

Punitive damages are available in limited circumstances. In hit-and-run cases involving extreme recklessness (particularly combined with DUI), they may apply in addition to compensatory damages. They are not available in every case, but they are a real component of recovery when the facts support them.

Building a Strong Hit-and-Run Accident Case

The construction of a successful hit-and-run case requires a thorough and strategic approach, and often involves extensive investigation and evidence collection. Our team at Fellows Hymowitz Rice has the skill and resources to build a strong case on your behalf, even without immediate identification of the at-fault driver.

Here's how we approach it:

• Meticulous investigation: We conduct comprehensive investigations, utilizing all available resources to identify the at-fault driver and gather crucial evidence. This includes reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and using advanced investigative techniques to locate surveillance footage from nearby businesses, residences, or traffic cameras.
• Witness testimony: We actively seek out and interview witnesses who may have seen the accident, even if their accounts are fragmented or incomplete. We use various methods to locate and interview witnesses, including social media, neighborhood canvassing, and public records searches. We carefully document witness statements to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Surveillance footage: We utilize technology to locate and obtain any available video evidence from security cameras, traffic cameras, or other sources. We analyze this footage to piece together the events of the accident and identify the at-fault driver.
• Expert testimony: Our Rockland hit-and-run accident lawyers collaborate with highly qualified expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists and medical professionals, to provide compelling expert testimony that supports your claim and establishes the extent of your injuries and their long-term consequences. This expert testimony is crucial in demonstrating the causal link between the accident and your injuries.