Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Staten Island

Staten Island’s heavy car, bike, and foot traffic create a chaotic environment where accidents are common. If you are struck by someone who flees the scene, you can still recover financial compensation for your injuries. Contact Shulman & Hill to discuss your case with a hit and run lawyer in Staten Island. Our team can review the facts of your accident and advise you of your legal options.

You Could Claim Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident in Staten Island

Although you may not know who struck you in a hit and run accident, you could still file a claim for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering associated with your injuries. To seek compensation after a hit and run in Staten Island, you have two primary options:

File a Claim Through Your Insurance

If you cannot find the hit and run driver, you could still file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist coverage, or health insurance. Even if you do locate the responsible party, their insurance may not fully cover your expenses. Your PIP and uninsured motorist coverage can help you recover the difference.

Filing a claim for a hit and run accident is challenging, especially when you are recovering from injuries. The Staten Island hit and run injury lawyers at Shulman & Hill can help you submit claims, file lawsuits, and negotiate with stubborn insurance companies.

Sue the At-Fault Party

If you can identify the party or parties responsible for your hit and run accident, you could file a claim with their insurance and sue them for damages. To pursue compensation from the at-fault party, you must provide evidence to show they caused the accident. If there is a criminal case against them for the hit and run, you could use information from that case to support your claim.

Working with Our Staten Island Hit and Run Accident Attorneys

As you recover from your hit and run injuries, you could lose important time to build and file your case. Rather than juggling your recovery and a complex claim, let the attorneys at Shulman & Hill help. Our team can pursue compensation through all available avenues while you focus on healing.

Over $300M in Settlements and Verdicts

The injury lawyers at Shulman & Hill aggressively advocate for the rights of injury victims in Staten Island and throughout New York. We aim to seek the greatest possible compensation through insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. Our highly personalized approach has proven successful, as we have secured more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our injury clients.

Contingency Fees for Hit and Run Claims

We recognize that your hit and run injuries can cause significant financial difficulty from the outset. To ease the financial burden, we take hit and run accident cases on a contingency basis. Instead of charging up-front fees for legal representation, we simply keep a portion of the settlement or verdict when your case is complete. If we do not win your case, you pay nothing for our services.

Your Case Is Important to Us

You deserve support from an attorney focused on your case while you recover from your hit and run injury in Staten Island. No matter how minor your injuries seem, we know that they are important to you, and we treat your case accordingly. With Shulman & Hill, you benefit from highly personalized legal representation from a firm with large-scale resources.

Legal Support Following a Staten Island Hit and Run Injury

Recovering from a hit and run accident can be overwhelming. Shulman & Hill can keep your case on track while you heal. We leverage our extensive knowledge and resources to determine every possible source for your financial recovery. When we handle a hit and run case, we may:

• Collect evidence, including police reports, medical documentation, videos, and photos of the accident scene
• Handle correspondence, emails, and phone calls regarding your hit and run case
• File claims with the responsible party’s car insurance, PIP, or other applicable coverage
• File claims with your PIP, uninsured motorist coverage, or medical insurance as needed
• File a lawsuit against the party responsible for the hit and run accident
• Conduct negotiations with the at-fault party and insurance companies to secure maximum settlement value
• Advocate for your legal rights during trial

Whether you were a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorist in a hit and run accident, you could file a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver who left the scene. To secure justice and fair compensation, work with an attorney who knows how to handle hit and run cases in Staten Island.

Determining Fault After a Hit and Run Accident in Staten Island

Fault determination is tricky after a hit and run accident. When someone flees the scene, evidence must show that they were responsible. This evidence may include:

• Videos of the accident from traffic cameras, CCTV, or dashcams
• Photos of the accident scene
• Eyewitness statements with details about the driver and vehicle, including vehicle color, make, and model, plate numbers, and other identifying information
• Your account of the accident with dates, times, and details as you remember them

The State Island hit and run accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill can explore every aspect of the accident to find who is at fault.

Once we or the authorities locate the hit and run driver, we must also establish proof that they were at fault for the accident. Our team understands the burden of proof necessary to prove such a claim. We will work tirelessly to secure the necessary documentation and evidence to prove your claim.

What if We Can’t Find the At-Fault Driver?

According to annual reports from the New York Police Department, more than 39,000 people report hit and run accidents in NYC every year. Of these, only a small fraction result in an arrest.

Sometimes, there is not enough evidence to find or sue a hit and run driver. While our hit and run attorneys prefer to bring the responsible party to justice, our primary goal is to secure the financial compensation you need to recover from your injuries. To that end, we can also pursue compensation through your insurance.

Insurance companies can be stubborn when it comes to paying out the full value of your losses. To ensure the maximum possible settlement value, working with a knowledgeable hit and run attorney in Staten Island can benefit your case.

Defending Your Rights After a Staten Island Hit and Run Accident

Your health comes first after a hit and run collision in Staten Island. Be sure to seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. Medical assistance will protect your health and provide important documentation for your claim.

Call 911 immediately to report the accident. New York law prohibits drivers from leaving the scene of an accident without providing identification and insurance information.

Once you have received medical care and reported the accident, you can protect your legal right to compensation with the following steps:

Hire a Staten Island Hit and Run Lawyer

Representation is a key aspect of your hit and run case. While you can pursue compensation without a lawyer, you are less likely to achieve desirable results. An attorney who handles Staten Island accident and injury claims can provide the support you need to maximize your potential hit and run settlement.

The Filing Deadline Can Impact Your Case

According to CPLR § 214, the statute of limitations for an injury lawsuit is generally three years from the date of the accident. This time frame can differ depending on your accident details, so you benefit from speaking with an attorney familiar with the local statutes. In addition to ensuring that you file on time, an attorney could request a filing extension for extenuating circumstances.

Complete Your Doctor’s Treatment Program

After your initial visit, your doctor may prescribe a treatment regimen and physical therapy. In addition, they may prohibit you from performing certain tasks until you complete your recovery. Follow your doctor’s instructions for the full treatment period. Failure to do so could compromise your hit and run injury claim.

Do Not Post on Social Media

Any information you provide can be used to reduce your claim value. Protect yourself by avoiding any discussion about your case while it is ongoing. If you are not sure whether something is appropriate to discuss, always consult with your attorney first.

Similarly, do not make any official statements or discuss the accident with an insurance company before you talk to your lawyer.

Do Not Sign Anything

When you are injured in a hit and run, the insurance company or opposing counsel may offer a settlement agreement. Such settlements may be lower than the amount you need to cover your losses.

Before you agree to a settlement, send it to your attorney for review. They can help you determine whether the settlement covers all your damages. If the offer is too low, your hit and run lawyer can also work to negotiate a more reasonable settlement.

Document Everything

After a hit and run accident in Staten Island, document the details of the accident at the scene, if possible. Photos, videos, and witness statements provide critical evidence to support your hit and run case.

Write down how the accident occurred, with as much detail as you can remember. You may also keep a log of your injuries and how they affect your daily life, which can help substantiate your claim value.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Hit and Run Lawyer in Staten Island

A Staten Island hit and run attorney can help protect your legal rights and represent your interests during negotiations. Contact the compassionate hit and run lawyers at Shulman & Hill today or call us at 866.932.5558 to discuss your case and learn how you can seek the compensation you deserve.