A hit and run accident in Hempstead can leave you with painful injuries, costly expenses, and major frustration. Hit and run drivers are terribly irresponsible because not only do they cause someone to suffer physical and financial harm, but they also fail to take responsibility for their actions.
The proper procedure after an accident calls for the parties to contact the police and exchange information. The driver who is at fault is held responsible. In a hit and run accident, you may have no idea who hit you or why they fled the scene of the accident. Even though this feels like a hopeless situation, you have certain options that may help you recover some financial support.
Working with a Hempstead car accident lawyer is a good way to learn about your options and potentially track down the person who caused your accident. Working with a lawyer can also take some of the pressure off of you so that you can focus on your recovery and return your life to normal as soon as possible. Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. now to discuss your options in a free consultation: (516) 932-0400.
- What to Do After a Hit And Run
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident Is Illegal
- Personal Injury Cases After a Hit and Run Accident
- What to Do if You Cannot Find the Other Driver
- We Offer a Free Consultation
What to Do After a Hit And Run
If you were involved in a hit and run accident, there are a few things that you should do to improve your chances of receiving compensation:
- Write down everything you remember about the accident, including the color of the other vehicle, the make and model, the place where it happened, and as much of the license plate as you can remember.
- Call the police and notify them immediately that a driver has fled the scene of an accident. If you tell them what you remember, they may be able to start canvassing for the person who hit you.
- See a doctor and have your injuries looked at if you have not already. This will create a record of your injuries and the cost of treating them.
- Notify your insurance company that you were involved in an accident and that the person who caused the collision fled the scene.
For a free legal consultation with a Hit and Run Accident lawyer serving Hempstead, call 516-932-0400
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Is Illegal
According to VTL § 600(1)(a), a person commits a crime if they flee the accident scene. If the person is caught, they will likely face criminal charges for their conduct. You can still bring a civil claim against them for the injuries and damages they caused you independent of the criminal charges.
A few ways that we may be able to find the person who hit you include:
- Reviewing the investigative findings, if any, of the police
- Contacting eyewitnesses who may have seen the person, vehicle, or license plate
- Identifying nearby video surveillance footage
- Reviewing photographs that you or a witness took
- Reviewing with you whether you recall a complete or partial license plate
To learn more about how a Hempstead hit and run accident lawyer at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. can help you, call (516) 932-0400 now and speak to a member of our team.
Hempstead Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400
Personal Injury Cases After a Hit and Run Accident
If you can find the other driver, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. In the lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver acted carelessly at the time of the accident and that you were hurt as a direct result. In general, drivers have a duty to drive with a reasonable level of care. This includes following all traffic laws and using good judgment.
Because New York law requires a driver to stop at the scene of an accident, someone who leaves has committed a crime. There is generally a strong inference to be drawn from that driver leaving the scene that they acted negligently with respect to their driving and that their negligence caused the accident.. Proving that the other driver knew they were involved in an accident and fled the scene anyway can be an important part of building a building a strong case for you. If your case is successful, you could recover compensation for many different things, including:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical care costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost quality of life
- Pain and suffering
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What to Do if You Cannot Find the Other Driver
Even if you cannot find the person who caused your accident, you can still file a claim with your insurance company to collect policy benefits. According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NYDMV), every driver must maintain a certain level of auto insurance coverage. These requirements include:
- $10,000 for property damage for a single accident
- $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more people in an accident
- $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage
Even though an uninsured motorist claim, (if the hit & run driver can never be identified,) is against your own insurance carrier, working with insurance companies is not always easy. Even though you dutifully pay your premiums on time, many insurance companies try to avoid paying benefits. In our experience, their goal is to pay you nothing or as little as they can. It can be hard to know your rights under an insurance policy because the contracts are often written in legalese.
A lawyer can review your auto insurance policy and help you make sure that you get the payout that you deserve in a timely fashion. If an insurance company tries to give you the runaround or offers a settlement that is far too low, your lawyer can hold them accountable and take them to court if necessary.
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We Offer a Free Consultation
There is no need to guess about your rights or research the applicable laws by yourself. A Hempstead hit and run accident lawyer at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. can represent you and help you find the best options after a careless driver leaves you injured and in debt. For a free consultation, call (516) 932-0400 now.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form