Hit and run accidents make up a significant portion of all highway accidents, according to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. You do not have to deal with the aftermath of a hit and run accident alone. The nuances of your case may be different, with drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians as examples of the people who suffer injuries in hit and run accidents.
In any case, the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can review the facts to help you reach a settlement. Request to work with a New York hit and run accident lawyer by calling our offices now at (844) 730-0233.
Dealing with Hit and Run Accidents
After any car accident, drivers must stop at the scene. In cases where people are not seriously injured, stopping after an accident could just mean exchanging insurance information.
When dealing with an accident, drivers should alert first responders of any serious injuries or dangerous circumstances in the moment. When a driver damages public or private property such as a parked car, traffic utility, or other structure, that person must stop to let the owner know about the accident.
In any case, if the total damages from the accident amount to $1,000 or more, or if there are any injuries or deaths, drivers have 10 days to file a report with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. This is important to remember even in hit and run accidents, where you are the only person involved or injured.
For drivers who commit hit and run accidents, not filing a report automatically puts them at risk for legal consequences such as having their driver’s license suspended. According to AAA, all states have laws that require drivers to stay at the scene after an accident. However, this does not stop negligent drivers from leaving the scene. AAA reports the following as common reasons why drivers leave the scene of an accident:
- Warrants or Other Crimes: When people have warrants out for their arrest, the risk of driving away from an accident might appear lower. Although there are laws intended to prevent hit and run accidents, the legal consequences for breaking them might be less severe than any higher crimes.
- Breaking Driving Laws: A person driving while intoxicated, driving without a license, driving without registration, or worse, may risk fleeing the scene of an accident.
- Accident Does Not Appear as Serious: Some drivers do not stop because the accident did not appear to result in serious damage.
Each hit and run accident will be different, but the reasons above are some of the most common for perpetrators of hit and run accidents. A New York hit and run accident lawyer can review the facts of your case to support any given case of a negligent driver who left the scene. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to request a review your case.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accidents lawyer serving New York, call (844) 730-0233
Financial Liability for Hit and Run Accidents
File a claim with your insurance company shortly after the accident happens. A lawyer can be useful for articulating the present and future expenses related to the accident, involving anything from bodily injuries, to damage to your car or other valuables involved in the accident.
Navigating your insurance policy may seem like a tricky balancing act, but a lawyer can navigate New York automobile law and the facts of your case. If you do not feel comfortable filing the claim alone, a lawyer can help you address any legal issues that could arise from your accident or a claim that is denied in bad faith.
New York State Insurance Requirements
In New York, auto insurance laws follow a no-fault system. This means that after any car accident, drivers must file a claim through their personal insurance policy first. When injuries from a car accident are severe, victims of car accidents in New York can sue for the extensive costs of recovery, according to the New York State Department of Financial Services. The following minimum auto insurance policy amounts are required:
- $10,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $25,000/$50,000 in personal injury liability per accident
- $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury liability or death for passengers in an accident
Beyond these minimum insurance requirement amounts, some drivers choose policies with more coverage to protect themselves after an accident. In any case, this does not always prevent victims from seeking additional compensation for injuries.
Some restrictions may apply, but a lawyer can be helpful for interpreting your accident circumstances and recommend action from there. The lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company to reach a settlement that will cover the costs of your injuries from the accident.
New York Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
New York Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
Statute of limitations NY CVP § 214 affirms that there is a three-year deadline to file a lawsuit for a car accident in New York. This also involves hit and run accidents. If you are too late to file your case within the three years after the date of the accident, you risk losing your right to pursue financial awards for damages.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-959-1444 for legal assistance. While you concentrate on recovering from the car accident, our legal team can work on your case and help ensure that it is filed in before the three-year time limit ends.
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Get Help From a Hit and Run Attorney
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, wants to help you reach a settlement for your injuries after a hit and run accident in New York. When you review your case with a New York hit and run accident lawyer, you can elect to be as hands-on as you would like. Ultimately, our lawyers share a goal of helping you return to normal as quickly and easily as possible.
You can seek to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. No one should be left to deal with the aftermath of a hit and run accident alone. With Ben Crump Law, PLLC, by your side, you can make sense of any seemingly impossible legal battle. Call us today at (844) 730-0233 to speak with a member of our team about taking your next steps on the road to recovery.
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