New York City Hit-and-Run Accidents

A hit-and-run accident is where the operator of another motor vehicle collides with another car or pedestrian and then leaves the scene of the accident without reporting the accident to the appropriate authorities. A hit-and-run accident is a serious crime. Victims of such accidents are often left with serious and permanent injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.

When the perpetrator of the hit-and-run accident is located, the claim on behalf of the injured victim may proceed as a typical car accident claim.  Many times, however, the wrongdoer cannot be located. In this case, the person hurt in the hit-and-run accident may still be entitled to pursue a compensation claim.

If the injured person has the appropriate uninsured motorist coverage on a car he or she owns, or on a car that a family member that he or she resides with owns, the injured party may make a claim directly against that insurance company for the compensation he or she would have otherwise been entitled to from the hit and run car.

If, however, the person hurt in the accident does not have the appropriate uninsured motorist coverage, he or she may still be entitled to uninsured motorist compensation by making a claim against the appropriate State Agency that insures against such losses.