Brooklyn Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Pursue Justice for Victims

New York car accident lawyers seek compensation when an at-fault driver leaves the scene

It is bad enough to be the victim of an auto accident – but when the at-fault driver flees the scene, your problems can be far worse. While most New York accident claims are handled through no-fault insurance, your losses may exceed the no-fault limit, or your injuries may be serious. Either way, you deserve compensation – but how do you proceed against a driver who ran? At Goldberg Sager & Associates in Brooklyn, we have extensive experience with these claims, and a Brooklyn hit and run accident lawyer at our firm can advocate for the payment you are entitled to.

What the law requires after an accident in New York

If you are involved in a crash, the law requires you to stop and exchange information – name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration, and insurer. If a parked vehicle or other property is damaged, or a domestic animal is injured, you must try to notify the owner (or the police if the owner is not present). You must report a crash to the DMV within 10 days on Form MV-104 if there is $1,000 or more in damage to person or property. If anyone is injured, you must render reasonable first aid and notify the police immediately.

Penalties for hit and run in New York

Leaving the scene is a traffic violation when only property is damaged, but a crime when a person is hurt. A driver who fails to share license and insurance information after an injury crash can face a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine); more serious cases rise to a Class A misdemeanor (up to a year in jail). A second offense can be charged as a Class E felony (up to four years), and where someone is killed, a Class D felony (up to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine). Drivers often flee because they fear another charge – driving without a license or insurance, drunk driving, or auto theft – or simply because they panic.

What to do if you are the victim of a hit and run

• Record what you remember about the car: make, model, color, and even a fragment of the license plate
• Seek treatment for your injuries
• Alert the police
• Speak to any witnesses and get their contact information
• Take photos of the scene and the damage
• File an accident report with the DMV within 10 days
• Notify your insurance company

Finally, contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Even if the police never find the other driver, you can often recover through your own personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage – but insurers are frequently reluctant to pay the full value of a claim unless you have determined legal representation. That is where we come in.

How a Brooklyn hit and run lawyer can help

We identify every available source of recovery, deal with the insurers on your behalf, and build the evidence needed to maximize your uninsured-motorist and no-fault claims. Our matters are handled on a contingency basis – if there is no recovery, there is no fee except for expenses.