Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If you were injured because another driver fled the scene, our hit and run lawyers in New Rochelle can help you pursue the insurance benefits and legal claims that may still be available under New York law.
At Shulman & Hill, we represent injured New Yorkers with the strength of more than 200 years of combined legal experience. Since 2013, our firm has recovered over $1 billion by taking a focused, strategic approach to every case we handle.
If you were hurt in an accident, contact our New Rochelle car accident lawyers for a free consultation.
Why Hire Our New Rochelle Hit And Run Lawyers After a Crash
A hit-and-run case often requires several investigations at once. We may need to pursue no-fault benefits, determine whether uninsured motorist coverage applies, evaluate MVAIC eligibility, and work to identify the driver who left the scene.
Our New Rochelle personal injury lawyers coordinate those steps while you focus on medical care and recovery. Our team gathers records, communicates with insurers, reviews police information, and searches for evidence that may reveal the fleeing vehicle or support your claim even if the driver is never found.
Our representation is handled on a contingency basis, subject to the terms of the retainer agreement.
New York Hit And Run Laws
Under New York Vehicle & Traffic Law § 600, a driver involved in a crash must stop and provide required information when property damage, injury, or death occurs. Leaving the scene after property damage may be charged differently than leaving after physical injury, serious physical injury, or death.
A criminal investigation is separate from your civil claim for compensation. Even if the driver is arrested, the criminal case does not automatically pay your medical bills, lost income, or other losses.
If the driver is never identified, you may still have options through no-fault benefits, uninsured motorist coverage, or the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, commonly called MVAIC.
Insurance Options in Hit And Run Claims
New York’s no-fault system generally provides coverage for reasonable medical expenses and a portion of lost income after a motor vehicle crash, regardless of who caused the collision. In many cases, basic Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, provides up to $50,000 per person.
However, no-fault benefits do not pay for pain and suffering. To pursue non-economic damages after a hit-and-run, you generally need to meet New York’s serious injury threshold and proceed through an available liability, uninsured motorist, or MVAIC claim.
No-Fault, UM, and MVAIC Coverage
No-fault benefits may come from the vehicle you occupied, the vehicle that struck you, or another applicable policy. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured.
MVAIC may be available when no applicable auto insurance coverage exists. For hit-and-run claims, MVAIC generally requires that the crash be reported to police within 24 hours, or as soon as reasonably possible, and that a Notice of Intention be submitted within 90 days.
How We Investigate and Identify The At-Fault Driver
Our hit and run attorneys in New Rochelle can coordinate a targeted investigation designed to identify the fleeing driver and preserve the evidence needed for insurance and civil claims. We review the crash location, vehicle damage, available video, witness accounts, and police information.
Our investigation may include:
- Canvassing nearby businesses and residences for surveillance footage.
- Requesting 911 audio, police reports, and EMS records.
- Reviewing dashcam, rideshare, GPS, or telematics data.
- Examining vehicle damage, debris, and impact evidence.
- Contacting witnesses before memories fade.
- Consulting accident reconstruction professionals when needed.
If the driver is identified, we can pursue their insurance coverage and evaluate whether any additional parties share responsibility. If the driver remains unknown, we continue building the evidence needed to support a UM or MVAIC claim.
Working With Local Law Enforcement
We may communicate with the New Rochelle Police Department or other appropriate authorities to obtain reports, clarify investigation status, and identify information that may assist your civil claim. The police investigation may focus on locating and charging the driver, while our role is to protect your financial recovery.
An arrest can provide useful evidence, including driver identity, insurance information, statements, vehicle records, or proof of flight. However, you do not need to wait for the criminal case to end before protecting your insurance claim.
Damages Available In a Hit And Run Case
Compensation depends on the available coverage, the severity of your injuries, and whether the driver is eventually identified. No-fault benefits may pay certain medical expenses and wage losses first, but they do not cover every loss.
A hit-and-run claim may involve compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses not fully covered by no-fault benefits
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering, when the legal threshold is met
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage through applicable coverage
- Wrongful death damages when a fatal crash occurs
If a criminal case results in restitution, that process is separate from a civil claim. Our New Rochelle hit and run lawyers evaluate all available recovery sources so your case is not limited to the first insurance response.
Deadlines And Statutes For New York Hit And Run Cases
Several deadlines may apply after a hit-and-run crash. Your no-fault application is generally due within 30 days, and a late filing can create disputes over medical bills and wage loss benefits.
For MVAIC hit-and-run claims, the crash generally must be reported to police within 24 hours, or as soon as reasonably possible, and a Notice of Intention must usually be filed within 90 days. These requirements are strict and should be addressed quickly.
Most New York personal injury claims have a three–year statute of limitations, while wrongful death claims generally have a two-year deadline. Shorter deadlines may apply if a public entity is involved, including cases involving municipal vehicles, public employees, or roadway defects.
Contact a Hit and Run Attorney in New Rochelle
Contact Shulman & Hill for a free consultation with a New Rochelle hit and run attorney. We will review what happened and help you move forward with a team that knows how to fight for injured New Yorkers. New York, We Got You.