In Manhattan, anyone involved in a car accident resulting in injury or property damage must remain at the scene, report the incident, and address the situation responsibly. Despite this, a significant number of people—approximately 25% of all reported accidents statewide—choose to flee the scene, thereby evading their legal responsibilities.
These hit-and-run incidents range from drivers leaving without providing contact information to those who fled immediately after the crash without any explanation.
Experiencing a hit-and-run can be incredibly distressing. Victims are often left dealing with not only the physical damage or injuries but also the uncertainty of who will cover the cost of repairs and medical expenses.
This is where the expertise of a hit-and-run accident attorney becomes essential. Suppose you have been a victim of such an accident in the Hudson Valley, including Goshen, Marlboro, and Ulster. In that case, getting the legal guidance of an expert Manhattan personal injury attorney at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is advisable.
Schedule a consultation today to explore your options with our knowledgeable team.
Why Should You Call Manhattan Hit and Run Accident Attorneys?
You should consider calling the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm after a hit-and-run because of his exceptional expertise and successful track record in managing car accident cases in New York City.
Here’s how we can help you:
- Collaboration with Law Enforcement: We collaborate with the NYPD to track down the hit-and-run driver, enhancing the chances of bringing them to justice.
- Thorough Investigation: We conduct detailed investigations to uncover the cause of your hit-and-run accident, working with accident reconstruction specialists when necessary.
- Evidence Gathering: Our method involves methodically gathering proof to prove fault and causation, guaranteeing a solid basis for your claim.
- Comprehensive Fault Analysis: We evaluate all possible parties at fault beyond just the hit-and-run driver, which can maximize your potential compensation.
- Expert Consultations: By working with top car accident experts, we accurately determine the value of your claim, helping you understand what compensation you can rightfully claim.
- Insurance Negotiations: Our experience extends to tough negotiations with car insurance companies to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Legal Guidance Through Criminal Proceedings: If there are criminal proceedings against the hit-and-run driver, we will handle these effectively to avoid any negative impact on your civil case.
- Handling Insurance Claims: In situations where the hit-and-run driver isn’t identified, we assist you in filing a claim through your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to ensure you receive compensation.
Do You Need a Manhattan Hit and Run Accident Law Firm?
When dealing with a hit-and-run accident in Manhattan, especially one that causes serious injuries, it’s strongly recommended that you seek the expertise of a personal injury lawyer. While managing a claim as independently as possible, the specific challenges of hit-and-run cases add a layer of complexity.
Without the guidance of a skilled lawyer, securing a fair settlement from insurance companies can be significantly tougher.
We at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are persistent in our dedication to serving our clients. We use every resource to guarantee a smooth and successful claims process.
Our vast knowledge of pursuing motor vehicle accident lawsuits across the city greatly aids your recovery.
Allow yourself the time to rest and recuperate while we handle the investigation, gather evidence, and manage all necessary filings. Our clients are never asked for upfront fees, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service from the initial consultation to the conclusion of your case.
Our Manhattan personal injury lawyers are dedicated to securing comprehensive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and additional losses. We are determined to prevent insurance companies from exploiting your vulnerable situation.
Your case will receive the personal attention it merits as we guide you through every step of the legal process. Our team frequently collaborates with esteemed accident and injury specialists to accurately assess the value of your claim.
If the negotiation of a settlement or a court verdict does not materialize, you will not owe us anything.
What Is a Hit & Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, or property and then leaves the scene without identifying themselves or providing contact information to the affected parties. This behavior is often an attempt to evade legal or financial consequences with the authorities or insurance companies.
Commonly referred to as “hit and run,” this type of incident can also be described using terms like “duty to stop” or “hit and run with injury” when physical injuries are involved. Hit-and-run accidents are alarmingly frequent, with studies indicating that approximately 20% of such incidents result in injuries, sometimes severe, necessitating significant medical attention.
In places like Manhattan, victims of hit-and-run accidents have a two-year window from the date of the incident to file a claim for damages. Those injured by a hit-and-run driver must consult with an attorney immediately to explore their legal options and ensure their rights are fully protected.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a hit and run, getting legal guidance immediately is essential to navigating the claims process effectively.
Factors Contributing to Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents are complex events often driven by multiple factors. Understanding the common causes can help us grasp the motivations behind such incidents and the types of individuals involved, especially if the at-fault driver is identified.
- Fear: In New York, fear is a leading cause of hit-and-run accidents. Drivers, particularly inexperienced ones or those in unauthorized possession of a vehicle (like teenagers driving their parent’s car without permission), may panic and flee the scene due to overwhelming fear and uncertainty about the consequences.
- Intoxication: Driving under the influence (DUI) can lead some individuals to flee accident scenes to avoid DUI charges. This is especially true if they’ve caused harm, knowing the severe legal repercussions they could face. Their decision to leave the site is often driven by a desperate attempt to evade these consequences.
- Lack of Licensing or Insurance: Drivers without a valid driver’s license or car insurance may flee accident scenes to avoid penalties for driving illegally. These can include hefty fines, license suspension, or even imprisonment. Such drivers know the heightened liability and financial burdens they would face without insurance coverage.
- Criminal Activity: Hit-and-run accidents may also be linked to criminal behavior. Individuals fleeing from a crime scene, such as a robbery or more severe offenses, might cause accidents in their haste to escape law enforcement. These drivers are among the most difficult, as their primary focus is evasion.
- Prior Legal Issues: Individuals with existing legal problems, such as outstanding warrants or those on parole, might flee from accident scenes to avoid further legal consequences. The prospect of additional legal scrutiny or potential incarceration can be a powerful motivator for leaving the scene of an accident, often without regard for the destruction or harm caused.
Common Injuries in Hit & Run Accident
Hit-and-run accidents are particularly dangerous and can cause severe injuries, especially to pedestrians and cyclists who lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle. In the chaotic consequences of such an incident, if you catch a glimpse of the fleeing vehicle, try to note the license plate number or ask any bystanders if they noticed specific details about the car, like its make or color.
After alerting the police, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. This step is not only vital for your health but also essential for legally documenting the injuries sustained, which can include:
- Neck and back injuries: These can range from minor sprains to severe spinal damage.
- Broken bones: Common in collisions due to the force exerted upon the body.
- Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
- Lacerations: Sharp or blunt trauma can cause deep cuts.
- Sprains and contusions: These soft tissue injuries are common in abrupt impacts.
- Collapsed lung: This severe condition can occur when a rib is broken and punctures the lung.
- Concussion: A type of brain injury that affects brain function.
- Brain injuries: These can vary from mild concussions to severe brain damage.
- Herniated discs: This injury affects the spine and can cause significant nerve pain.
- Internal bleeding: Can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention.
- Severed limbs: Extreme cases may result in the loss of a limb.
Available Compensation for Hit and Run Accident Injuries
In Manhattan, a no-fault state, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy covers medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. If these costs exceed your PIP limits, your mandatory uninsured motorist coverage may cover the additional fees.
This is particularly relevant in hit-and-run scenarios.
If you or someone in your household is injured in an accident and lacks auto or household insurance, you can seek compensation through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). This organization assists drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists impacted by uninsured motorists, providing up to $50,000 in no-fault benefits.
You might also consider filing a claim against other parties whose actions contributed to your injuries. For instance, you could claim against the vehicle manufacturer if an airbag failed to deploy during the accident.
You can claim two types of damages post-accident:
- Economic Damages: These include medical and hospital expenses, future medical care costs, lost earnings, property damage, and household expenses related to the accident.
- Non-Economic Damages: These cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our dedicated attorneys will gather the necessary evidence for your claim and strive to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries. We pride ourselves on providing personalized legal guidance to your case’s specifics.
Backed by a history of successful outcomes and glowing client testimonials, our Manhattan Hit and Run Accident Lawyers are a dependable choice for dedicated, effective representation.
What Kind of Evidence Do You Need for a Hit and Run Accident Lawsuit?
For a hit-and-run accident lawsuit, gathering compelling evidence is important to substantiate the claim and secure compensation.
Here are the types of evidence that an injury lawyer might assist you with:
- Dashcam recordings: Video from your vehicle’s dashcam can capture the incident as it happened, providing real-time evidence.
- CCTV footage: Surveillance videos from nearby businesses or homes that may have recorded the accident.
- Traffic camera footage: Videos from traffic cameras that might have captured the crash or the fleeing vehicle.
- Witness statements: Testimonies from people who saw the accident can support the account of events and identify the other vehicle.
- Police reports: Official reports from the responding officers detail the accident scene and preliminary findings.
- Statements from law enforcement: Any additional information provided by the police who investigated the accident.
- Photographs of the accident scene: Images that show vehicle positions, road conditions, and other relevant details from the crash site.
- The injured party’s account: The plaintiff’s own description of the incident and the impact it has had on their life.
- Medical records: Documentation of injuries sustained, treatment received, and prognosis for recovery.
- Financial documents: Proof of lost income and other economic impacts resulting from the injuries.
Proving Liability in a Hit-and-Run Accident
Locating the responsible driver is important in cases of hit-and-run. This task involves extensive investigative efforts by police or other relevant authorities.
Once the driver is identified, establishing their liability for the incident is the next step.
Under the law, to convict someone of a hit-and-run offense, the prosecution must demonstrate each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- Presence at the Scene: It must be proven that the defendant was operating their vehicle within the relevant county on the accident date.
- Awareness of the Incident: The defendant knew or should have reasonably known that another person had injuries due to the accident at that time and location.
- Failure to Provide Information: The at-fault driver did not provide personal details regarding their vehicle’s license or insurance at the scene.
These elements must be convincingly established to hold the driver legally accountable for their actions during the incident.
Get Legal Help from our Manhattan Hit and Run Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may have sustained severe injuries such as whiplash, spinal cord damage, broken limbs, or internal trauma. It is essential to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
To build a strong case, you might require the expertise of attorneys, accident reconstruction experts, and investigators who can assist in proving your claims and securing the highest possible settlement. For a complimentary consultation about your hit-and-run accident case, please call us immediately at (516) 689-1132 or contact our Manhattan personal injury law firm via the online form.
