At Omni Injury and Accident Law, P.C., our car accident attorneys in New York and New Jersey know that no matter which state you live in, most motorists liable for hit-and-run accidents flee the scene for various reasons, and none are good.
Individuals may flee the scene to avoid accountability for their actions, including legal consequences, such as criminal charges, fines, license suspension, or increased insurance premiums.
Other drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs may flee the scene of an accident to avoid being arrested for driving while intoxicated charge. Some may not have a valid license or insurance coverage, have outstanding warrants or legal issues, or have a lack of empathy or concern for the well-being of others involved in the accident.
No matter the reasons, fleeing the scene of an accident with injuries in New York and New Jersey is illegal. While the police sort through the details and attempt to locate the fleeing driver, you should seek medical care immediately. Contact our dedicated New York and New Jersey car accident attorneys to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue compensation for your damages.
How Do I Pursue Compensation from a Hit-and-Run Accident with Injuries in New York?
Under New York’s no-fault insurance law, car insurance coverage must be purchased to satisfy the financial responsibility requirements to register your car and obtain license plates.
That includes:
No-Fault/Personal Injury Protection
No-fault insurance coverage, also called Personal Injury Protection or PIP Coverage, will pay medical expenses, lost earnings, and other reasonable and necessary expenses for a driver or passenger injured in or a pedestrian injured by your car.
Liability Coverage
The minimum limits of third-party bodily injury liability coverage mandated by New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury (not resulting in death), or $50,000 for any injury resulting in death sustained by any one person in any one accident.
- $50,000 for bodily injury (not resulting in death) sustained by two or more persons in any one accident or $100,000 for any injuries resulting in death sustained by two or more persons in any one accident (subject to the above per person limits).
Uninsured Motorists
Uninsured motorists coverage is designed to protect against the injuries you, your family, or your passengers might suffer in a hit-and-run accident or an accident with an uninsured vehicle.
For New York accidents, the amount of uninsured motorist protection required is the same minimum bodily injury limits as required for liability insurance.
This means our hit-and-run accident lawyer in New York would pursue your insurance coverage for the damages caused by the driver who fled the scene. This will require producing the same evidence and investigative details as pursuing another driver’s insurance coverage.
How Do I Pursue Compensation from a Hit-and-Run Accident with Injuries in New Jersey?
Car insurance claims in New Jersey are governed by a no-fault system, meaning accident victims must first seek compensation from their insurance policy, even if they were not at fault for the crash. This also applies to hit-and-run accidents, regardless of whether the police find the other driver.
If the other driver is found and he or she is insured, our New Jersey hit-and-run accident lawyers can pursue compensation from your collision and personal injury protection (PIP) coverages up to the limits of your policy. Collision coverage compensates for vehicle damage, while personal injury protection compensates you for medical expenses for treatment and lost wages.
If the hit-and-run driver is not located, you can still pursue compensation for medical expenses through your PIP coverage, which is available regardless of who caused the accident. However, you may also be able to seek compensation from your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This provides compensation for property damage and medical expenses from the crash up to the limits of your policy.
How Can the Omni Injury and Accident Law Car Accident Attorneys in New York and New Jersey Help?
While New York and New Jersey have laws and systems to address hit-and-run accidents, there are differences in the specific procedures and available options for injured parties seeking recovery.
Our Omni Injury and Accident Law, P.C., car accident and injury attorneys in New York and New Jersey, will investigate your hit-and-run accident, including working with law enforcement and civil security officers to identify the at-fault driver, identify all potential sources of insurance coverage that may be available under the circumstances, and protect your interests from start to finish of your claim.
Contact Our Hit and Run Accident and Injury Attorneys Today
Contact our dedicated New York and New Jersey hit-and-run accident and injury lawyers at Omni Injury and Accident Law to schedule a free consultation and to get the assistance you need to produce actual results for your essential claim.