Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Queens
If you are hit by a careless driver in Queens, whether you are in a car, on a bike, or walking, you deserve compensation for the losses you sustained. If the responsible party leaves the accident scene, you may feel you have no way to file a claim. Fortunately, you have other options to seek the compensation you’re entitled to.
A hit and run accident lawyer in Queens can help you pursue all avenues for financial support following a hit and run. Contact our Queens office today to discuss your case. The skilled hit and run attorneys at Shulman & Hill can review the details and help you determine the best way forward.
Seeking Compensation Following a Queens Hit and Run Incident
When you are struck by a careless driver who flees the scene, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Damages you could pursue after a hit and run accident injury in Queens include:
Past and Future Income Loss
Your injuries from a hit and run accident could prevent you from returning to work. If you cannot work due to your injuries or you miss work because of appointments, you can include the lost income in your claims. Sometimes hit and run injuries result in temporary or permanent disability or impairment. In this case, you could also seek recompense for future lost income.
Past and Future Medical Costs
Do not let the fear of hospital bills keep you from seeking medical attention. When you suffer an injury due to someone else’s reckless actions, your health and safety are paramount. A hit and run claim can seek to cover past and future medical expenses associated with your injury.
Pain and Suffering
Your injuries are not limited to physical damage. New York law also allows you to pursue compensation for the physical and psychological difficulties you endured because of the hit and run. Non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify, so it is best to speak with a hit and run lawyer with experience handling accident claims in Queens.
Our Firm Can Advocate for Your Legal Rights After a Hit and Run in Queens
At Shulman & Hill, we know exactly how difficult it can be to return to your daily life after a hit and run accident. As you recover, you need to focus your energy on your health and well-being. Our team has extensive experience providing legal support for accident victims in Queens and throughout the NYC boroughs.
We provide compassionate representation for clients injured in hit and run car, truck, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. Over the years, we have successfully pursued over $300 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients like you. Our success is rooted in our personalized approach. Every case is important to us. We understand that your hit and run injury can have a serious and long-term impact on every aspect of your life. We honor that by giving your case the full care and attention it deserves.
We Can Take Your Hit and Run on a Contingency Fee Basis
The skilled injury attorneys at Shulman & Hill understand the financial challenges you face following a hit and run accident injury in Queens. To help reduce the financial stress, we take hit and run accident cases on contingency. If we do not win your case, you pay nothing for our legal services. When we win your case, we retain payment from the final settlement or verdict.
What if I Do Not Know Who Hit Me?
In some hit and run accidents involving injuries, the authorities or an attorney can determine who was responsible from the available evidence. If they cannot determine who is responsible, you still have the option to file a claim with:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
- Liability insurance
- Medical insurance coverage
Some insurance companies may balk at paying a settlement if they believe another party is responsible. Our Queens hit and run attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party’s insurance company or yours.
Time Limit to File a Hit and Run Accident Injury Lawsuit
New York’s statute of limitations, CPLR § 214, generally limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit following a hit and run to three years. However, this time can vary widely based on the circumstances surrounding your hit and run in Queens.
Insurance companies also have their own timelines for filing claims. To ensure the best chance for a desirable settlement, speak with a car accident lawyer who handles hit and run cases as soon as possible. Even if you believe you are past the statute of limitations, a skilled attorney may be able to request an extension on your behalf.
What Are the Laws for Hit and Runs in Queens?
Per VAT § 600, drivers involved in an accident must remain at the site where the damage or injury occurred and provide their:
- Driver’s license
- Insurance card
- Name, residence, and insurance carrier information
If there were no injuries, the driver does not have to report the accident unless the damage is more than $1000. For non-injury accidents with more than $1000 worth of damage, the driver must file an accident report with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If someone is injured or killed, a domestic animal is injured or killed, or the driver is unable to locate the owner of the damaged vehicle, they must stay at the scene of the accident and contact the police immediately.
Failure to exchange information, report the accident, or contact the police as required by law can result in criminal charges. If you were injured in a collision and the other party left the scene, you could pursue compensation in a personal injury claim separate from any criminal charges brought by the authorities.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Queens
When you are in a hit and run accident, it is important to stay at the scene and call 911 right away. If your injury is an emergency, the responding ambulance may convey you to the emergency room. If not, you should still make it a priority to seek medical care.
Certain serious conditions are not immediately apparent after an accident. Adrenaline from the incident can mask your symptoms for hours or days. A doctor’s visit can ensure that your injuries are treated quickly and provide important documentation for your accident claim.
If you can, take photos or videos of the hit and run accident site. Write down what you remember of the events, including:
- Date and time the accident occurred
- Accident location, including streets, intersections, nearby businesses, and building addresses
- A description of the hit-and-run vehicle and driver, including make, model, and physical features
- Timeline of the accident
- Directions and angles of impact
- Your location and actions when the incident occurred
- Whether there were other vehicles involved
If there are witnesses, try to obtain contact information. Your injuries may prevent you from obtaining evidence at the scene, and that is fine. Focus on getting the medical attention you need. The responding officers will file a report and take any witness contact information. Your attorney can obtain a copy of the police report and track down witness statements later.
Personalized Legal Support for Your Queens Hit and Run Accident Claim
Filling a personal injury claim can be complicated enough when you know who the at-fault party is. A hit and run accident adds a new dimension to the process. The legal team at Shulman & Hill knows how to conduct a thorough investigation to discover who was responsible. To prove your case, we may:
- Examine available evidence
- Seek video and photo evidence of the scene
- Interview witnessesÂ
- Obtain police reports
- Compile medical documentationÂ
- Submit your claim to multiple insurance companies
- File a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party or insurance company
Our goal is to secure the financial support you need to pay for lost income, hospital bills, and other damages associated with your hit and run. If we cannot identify the at-fault party following a hit and run accident, we can aggressively advocate for your legal right to compensation from the appropriate insurance carriers.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Hit and Run Accident Lawyers in Queens
When you suffer from injuries after a hit and run accident, you deserve legal assistance from a knowledgeable Queens hit and run accident attorney. The team at Shulman & Hill is dedicated to providing accident victims with unwavering legal support throughout the claims process. We will not hesitate to go up against large corporations and stubborn insurance companies to seek maximum compensation on your behalf.
No matter how large or small your case, we provide attentive small-firm representation with big-firm clout. As one of New York’s premier injury firms, we have what it takes to defend your legal rights in negotiations and at trial.Â
Contact our Queens office today at 866.932.5558Â to discuss your case with one of our dedicated hit and run attorneys. We will provide a free consultation to help you decide on your next steps.
WE WORK WITH YOU
TO GET YOU COMPENSATED
Everyday working people often struggle to afford top-tier legal representation. To ensure equal access to justice, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a settlement or verdict in your case.