Bronx car accident lawyer Glenn A. Herman explains the steps you should take if you are a victim of a hit and run crime in New York
More than 2000 people have died in hit-and-run accidents in the United States in 2019,with countless others left with life-altering injuries,according to data from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)..
In this article, Bronx car accident lawyers Glenn and Robin Herman discuss what to do if you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run in New York City.
A hit-and-run accident is any car accident or collision where one driver flees the scene after the crash. Regardless of who was at fault for the accident or how minor the apparent damage may be, all drivers are legally obligated to stay at the scene after a car accident. Part of a driver’s duty of care to others on the road is to stop and check that other involved parties are safe after a collision. Whether it’s a crash with another vehicle, a pedestrian, a cyclist, an e-scooter operator, skateboarder, or anyone else. Failure to stay at the scene of an accident, no matter how minor, and provide necessary information to other people involved, can lead to fines and penalties.
Section 600 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law defines drivers’ responsibilities following a collision with another vehicle, cyclist, pedestrian, or object.
Pull over safely in a location that will not disrupt the flow of traffic if possible.
Check on all passengers in your vehicle as well as the driver and passengers of the other vehicle(s) involved for any injuries.
Check for damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) at the scene.
Call 911 if someone has been injured or killed at the scene, or if there is damage to one or both vehicles totaling more than $1500. File a police report when an officer arrives at the scene.
In single-vehicle accident (such as one involving a tree, utility pole, or other stationary object)
or an accident with a collision with a parked vehicle where the driver cannot be located, the accident should be reported to the local police department.
Failing to take these required steps after a traffic accident makes the crash a hit-and-run. Penalties for drivers who flee the scene of accidents in New York vary depending on the severity of property damage and injuries at the scene.
Personal injury cases involving hit-and-runs can get complicated, especially if law enforcement are unable to locate the other driver. There are several steps you should take directly after a hit-and-run accident”
Seek medical treatment immediately if you are severely injured.
File a police report, immediately, particularly if you are injured or your car is significantly damaged.
Most insurance policies require a police report be made within 24 hours of the incident and a failure to make a report within 24 hours can prevent an injured person from obtaining No-fault benefits and liability benefits.
Take photos of injuries and property damage.
Write down all details you can recall about the accident, including the color, make, and model of the car, any letters or numbers you remember from the license plate, or identifying features of the driver.
Obtain contact information from any nearby witnesses and ask local establishments if they have security footage of the scene of the accident.
It is also essential to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a hit-and-run accident to explore options for obtaining compensation and navigating the complicated insurance systems.
About Bronx Car Accident Lawyers Glenn & Robin Herman
Our Bronx car accident Personal Injury attorneys take the time to learn every aspect of your case during our initial meeting in order to properly evaluate the full extent of the damages you or a loved one have suffered. We have been representing seriously injured New Yorkers for over 35 years. Born, raised, and living in the City, we know that when you have been injured in this town, you need an attorney to protect your rights and explain the law to you in a way you can understand.
For a no-charge consultation today to discuss the details of your injury event: https://hermannyc.com/free-case-consultation/
We represent clients in all five boroughs of New York (NY): Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, along with Suffolk County & Nassau County on Long Island, Westchester County, Rockland County, and throughout the entire state of New York.
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