Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If you were left at the scene by a fleeing driver, our hit and run lawyers in Yonkers can help. We assist injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians after they’ve been struck in a hit and run accident.
Our team at Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers has over 200 years of combined legal experience. We help injured victims pursue no-fault benefits, Uninsured Motorist claims, MVAIC claims when no other applicable insurance coverage is available, property damage, and lawsuits.
With over 26 thousand clients served, we know what it takes to help our clients recover the compensation they are owed. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Yonkers car accident lawyers.
Why Hit and Run Cases Demand Prompt Action
Hit-and-run crashes often present unique challenges because the at-fault driver leaves the scene before identifying information can be exchanged. Without a known driver or insurance policy, injured victims may need to rely on other legal avenues, such as Uninsured Motorist coverage or claims through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation.
These cases frequently require a detailed investigation to determine what happened. Timing can also affect your ability to recover benefits. New York’s No-Fault system generally requires an application to be filed within 30 days of the crash. For Uninsured Motorist claims involving an unidentified driver, New York law generally requires the accident to be reported to the police within 24 hours.
Waiting too long can make it harder to secure surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence needed to support the claim. Our Yonkers personal injury lawyers act quickly to preserve evidence, coordinate with law enforcement when appropriate, and ensure that insurance notices and filings are handled properly.
What Counts as a Hit and Run Under New York Law
New York law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and exchange identifying and insurance information. Under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600, a driver must remain at the scene and provide their name, address, license information, and insurance details to the other parties involved. Failing to do so after a collision is commonly referred to as a hit-and-run.
Leaving the scene after causing property damage is a criminal offense, while leaving after a crash that results in injury can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances. These criminal penalties are handled separately from any civil claim for damages.
There does not need to be a criminal conviction for you to pursue compensation as the injured victim. You can still file a civil claim through insurance or other legal avenues even if the driver who fled the scene is never identified.
How Our Yonkers Hit and Run Lawyers Investigate Your Case
Hit and run cases often require a thorough investigation because the responsible driver may not be immediately identified. We begin by gathering available evidence from the crash scene. This can include surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and other sources that could capture the vehicle or the moments leading up to the collision.
We also review physical evidence from the scene and consult with investigators when necessary to analyze vehicle damage, debris, and other indicators that may help identify the fleeing driver. Witness statements, police reports, and emergency response records can further clarify how the crash occurred.
By assembling both physical and documentary evidence, our Yonkers hit and run lawyers work to establish liability, identify potential sources of insurance coverage, and build a clear record of how the collision caused your injuries.
Recoverable Compensation in a Hit and Run Claim
Compensation depends on your injuries, coverage, and whether the at-fault driver is identified. Economic damages can include medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, and out-of-pocket costs.
If you meet New York’s serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d), you can also seek non-economic damages such as pain and suffering through UM or a liability claim. When the hit-and-run driver is found, we pursue their liability coverage and any personal assets where appropriate.
In limited cases with egregious conduct, punitive damages may be considered under New York law.
How Our Yonkers Car Accident Attorneys Handle Insurers
Insurance issues can become complicated after a hit and run crash, especially when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Our Yonkers hit and run attorneys notify all potentially applicable insurance carriers and take steps to preserve your right to benefits, including Uninsured Motorist coverage when appropriate.
We also assist with the administration of New York No-Fault benefits, which may include medical payments and partial wage replacement regardless of fault. This process can involve insurer requests for documentation or independent medical examinations. Our team monitors these requirements and challenges improper delays or denials when they arise.
When dealing with insurance companies, we manage communications and help protect you from tactics designed to reduce or deny valid claims. This includes preparing clients before any recorded statements and reviewing requests for medical records to ensure they are reasonable and relevant to the claim.
Common Defenses and How We Respond
Insurance companies often challenge hit and run claims by arguing that deadlines were missed, the injuries were pre-existing, or the claimant does not meet New York’s serious injury threshold. Our attorneys respond with medical records, treating provider opinions, and a clear timeline linking the injuries to the crash.
In some cases, insurers dispute whether another vehicle was involved and refer to a “phantom vehicle.” We address these arguments with witness statements, physical evidence, and available surveillance or digital records that support how the collision occurred.
Carriers may also claim the injured person shares fault. Under New York’s comparative negligence rules, you may still recover damages, although any award may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned.
Talk With a Yonkers Hit and Run Attorney Today
Our hit and run attorneys in Yonkers help clients understand the legal options available after these incidents, including claims through New York’s No-Fault system, Uninsured Motorist coverage, and other avenues that may apply when the responsible driver cannot be identified.
Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers represents clients on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no upfront legal fees. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case.