Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A hit-and-run crash can leave you hurt, stressed, and unsure what to do next. At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we help injured people and grieving families pursue claims after drivers flee the scene.
If you were struck by a car, truck, motorcycle, or rideshare vehicle, you may still have legal options even if the driver has not been found. A hit and run lawyer in Brooklyn can help you deal with insurance issues, gather proof, and seek payment for your losses.
With over 200 years of combined experience, our car accident lawyers in Brooklyn are ready to handle your claim or lawsuit. Call us for a free consultation.
Why Do Some Drivers Flee the Scene?
An at-fault driver may leave the scene after a crash for various reasons, such as a lack of auto insurance. In New York, drivers involved in collisions are expected to stop, identify themselves, and report certain accidents.
These cases may involve another vehicle, a parked car, a bicyclist, a pedestrian, or property damage. If the other driver disappears before you can get their information, your case may still move forward through an insurance claim or lawsuit if the driver is later identified. Our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers can assess your options for an uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance provider.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run in Brooklyn
What you do after the crash can affect your health and your claim. If you are able, try to protect yourself and preserve details that may help show what happened.
You should try to:
- Call 911 and ask for police and medical help
- Get medical care as soon as possible
- Take photos of the scene, damage, and injuries
- Speak with witnesses and gather contact information
- Write down anything you remember about the vehicle or driver
Even small details can matter, such as the color of the car, part of a license plate, or the direction the driver went. Our Brooklyn hit and run accident lawyers can use those facts, along with traffic camera footage and police reports, to build your case.
How Insurance May Apply to Your Hit-and-Run Accident Claim
Many hit-and-run claims are handled through your own insurance because the at-fault driver is unknown. In New York, no-fault coverage may pay for certain medical bills and lost earnings after a car accident, no matter who caused the crash.
If your injuries are serious, you may also have a bodily injury claim through uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage can apply when the driver fled the scene and cannot be identified. Our hit-and-run accident attorney in Brooklyn can review your policy, explain what applies, and push back if the insurer delays or undervalues your claim.
How Our Brooklyn Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys Prove Fault When the Driver Leaves
A driver’s absence does not automatically prevent recovery. We work to show that another motorist caused the crash through physical evidence, witness accounts, surveillance footage, vehicle damage patterns, and accident reports.
Insurance carriers often question hit-and-run claims closely. They may argue that there is not enough proof, that your injuries came from another event, or that your report was delayed. Prompt action and clear documentation can help answer those arguments.
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Case
The strongest cases often combine several sources of proof. We look for records that connect the crash to your injuries and support your account of events.
Useful evidence may include:
- Police reports describing the collision scene
- Medical records linking treatment to the crash
- Video footage from nearby homes or businesses
- Witness statements about the fleeing vehicle
- Photos showing debris, skid marks, or impact points
Compensation Our Brooklyn Hit-and-Run Lawyers May Pursue
The value of a claim depends on the facts, your injuries, the available coverage, and whether the fleeing driver is found. You may seek payment for both economic and non-economic losses tied to the accident.
Damages may include medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and property damage. In a fatal case, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under New York law.
Why Hit and Run Cases Can Be Hard to Handle Alone
Hit-and-run claims often involve overlapping issues between police investigations and insurance claims. You may need to report the crash quickly, submit forms within policy deadlines, and respond to requests for statements or records.
A Brooklyn hit-and-run lawyer can step in to manage those tasks while you focus on treatment. We help collect evidence, communicate with insurers, review coverage, and value your losses. If the at-fault driver is identified, we can also pursue a claim directly against that person.
How Shulman & Hill Builds a Claim
Every case starts with the facts. We review the police report, your medical records, available video, witness information, and insurance policies to see what avenues may be open.
We also track deadlines and prepare the claim with supporting proof of your injuries and financial losses. If the insurance company disputes the claim, we press for a fair result through negotiation and, when needed, litigation.
How Long You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Deadlines can affect both insurance claims and lawsuits. Waiting too long can make it harder to locate witnesses, preserve footage, or access other evidence before it disappears.
New York law sets time limits for many personal injury actions, but insurance notice rules can be much shorter. Consulting a car accident attorney soon after the crash can help you avoid preventable problems and keep your options open.
Let Our Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Brooklyn File Your Claim and Seek Compensation
A fleeing driver can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and many unanswered questions. You do not have to deal with the insurance process on your own while trying to recover.
Shulman & Hill helps injured people pursue payment after hit-and-run crashes. If you were hurt and want to discuss your legal options, contact us for a free consultation.
