What Should You Do If You Are Involved in A Hit and Run?

15% of all police-reported crashes in 2023 involved a driver who fled the scene — the highest share on record — according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Pedestrians and cyclists are especially likely to be hit by a driver who flees: roughly 1 in 4 pedestrians and nearly as many cyclists killed in crashes in 2023 were struck by a driver who didn't stop.

A hit-and-run accident occurs when at least one person involved in an accident leaves without offering aid, providing sufficient information to the other driver, or fails to report the crash to authorities.

In New York State leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury or property damage is against the law and could lead to criminal charges.

If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident there are certain things you should do right away.

• Make sure that you and/or your passengers are safe and if there are any injuries call 911
• If your car is in a dangerous location, move it to a safer one
• Write down any information you can, such as the color, make, or model of the car and if you are able to see even a part of the license plate make note of that as well
• Call the police, it is important to make sure you document the accident for both your insurance company and your attorney. Do not wait to file the report. It is a requirement under NY Law to have a valid “hit and run” claim that the accident be reported to the police within 24 hours.
• Call your insurance company to inform them of the accident and the fact that it was a hit-and-run

Never follow the driver of the vehicle that left the scene of the accident, it could lead to another accident or even potential road rage and violence. In many instances, drivers leave the scene of an accident because they are at fault, for example driving under the influence, being uninsured, or falling asleep at the wheel.

It is important to call us if you have been involved in a hit-and-run. There is critical information that we can help obtain that over time could disappear. For example, interviewing witnesses – their memory of what happened may fade or security footage in many places may get recorded over or not saved after a certain period. We will begin the process with your insurance company, get all the necessary paperwork taken care of before their deadlines and make sure everything is taken care of by the deadlines imposed by the State and insurance companies.

Personal injury attorneys act on a contingency basis which means we don’t get paid unless you receive a recovery.

Call us if you have any questions.