If you suffered injuries in a hit-and-run crash, the experienced attorneys at Harris Keenan & Goldfarb understand how overwhelmed and lost you may feel.
Our personal injury attorneys will help you weigh your options for recovering the compensation you deserve. We take this mission very seriously. We have recovered over $500 million in injury and damages compensation for our clients.
Call us at 800-724-6529 or contact us online for a free, no-risk consultation and learn more about how we can help.
What Qualifies as a Hit and Run in New York?
According to New York state law, any driver who causes an accident that results in property damage, injury, or death must stop and exchange information with other drivers or property owners involved. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges, fines, and even jail time.
Hit-and-Run Laws in New York
According to NY VAT § 600, the consequences a person may face for fleeing the scene of an accident depend on whether the crash caused:
- Property damage only – Up to $250 fine and up to 15 days of jail time
- Injuries – $500 to $1,000 fine and up to a year of jail time
- Serious injuries – $1,000 to $5,000 fine and up to four years of jail time
- Death – $2000 to $5,000 fine and up to seven years of jail time
The level of penalties a driver faces depends on the severity of the accident. Greater property damage or more serious injuries will lead to more severe penalties. New York law defines serious injuries as those that cause death, disfigurement, dismemberment, fractures, loss of a fetus, and damage to various systems, organs, or body members.
Types of Hit-and-Run Accidents
A driver can panic and hurry away from the scene in any type of accident. The types of hit-and-run accidents we handle at Harris Keenan & Goldfarb include:
- head-on collisions
- rear-end collisions
- sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- distracted driving accidents
- accidents involving drunk driving
- reckless driving accidents
Whatever the precise kind of accident, the feeling is horrible when someone leaves you to deal with the consequences on your own. The experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers at Harris Keenan & Goldfarb will help you seek the justice you deserve.
Types of Injuries from Hit-and-Run Accidents
The type of collision you experience will play a role in the injuries you suffer. Your medical situation might worsen if the other driver has sped away without contacting emergency medical professionals, and you cannot call 911 yourself.
Injuries you might suffer in a hit-and-run collision include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion
- Spinal cord injury, which may cause paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Strains, sprains, or other soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
Even if you do not notice any injuries, you should still seek medical attention as soon as you can. While you might feel nervous about the prospect of having to pay for your medical expenses in this situation, the attorneys at Harris Keenan & Goldfarb will fight on your behalf to recover the compensation you need to cover your losses.
Common Causes of Hit-and-Run Accidents
- Drunk Driving – The hit-and-run driver flees because they are afraid to face DUI charges.
- Uninsured Driver – The at-fault driver leaves the scene due to worries about the consequences of driving without the required insurance.
- Outstanding Warrants or Previous Tickets – If the at-fault driver has other legal issues, they may flee the scene to avoid arrest.
- Other Legal Problems – A driver who is below the legal driving age, has had their license revoked, or has immigration issues may drive away to avoid encounters with the authorities.
- Panicked Driver – Even in the absence of legal trouble, a driver may simply panic in the immediate moments after an accident. They may be so overwhelmed that they leave before recognizing the consequences of their actions.
Advances in technology and the prevalence of traffic cameras can help the authorities catch hit-and-run drivers eventually. If so, they will face consequences in a court of law.
If the Other Driver Isn’t Caught
If police are unable to locate and charge the other driver, you will still be able to file a claim with your own insurance company. You must file a no-fault claim within 30 days of the accident. If you fail to do so, you will forfeit your right to claim the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Hit-and-Run Accident Claim
Whether or not the other driver is found, dealing with the fallout of a hit-and-run accident can feel challenging. Having the right attorney on your side will help you navigate the complexities of your claim so you can have a chance at recovering the compensation you deserve.
Even though you will be filing a claim with your own insurance company, they may not operate with your best interests in mind. Without a lawyer to fight on your behalf, your insurance adjuster may employ tactics to undermine or undervalue your claim.
An experienced New York car accident attorney from Harris Keenan & Goldfarb will handle all negotiations with the insurance company. We will also investigate the circumstances of the accident, gather evidence to support your claim, and ensure that you meet the necessary deadlines so that your case can move forward effectively.
Contact Us
If you suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident in New York, call the experienced and compassionate legal team at Harris Keenan & Goldfarb today. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we will only take a fee after we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call us today at 800-724-6529 or contact us online for a free consultation.
