Brooklyn Hit and Run Accidents

New York law requires that people who are involved in a traffic accident stop at the scene and exchange information with other involved parties. Specifically, each driver must show his or her driver’s license and insurance information and provide a current residential address, even if the accident is considered minor.

Why Would Someone Hit and Run?

Put simply, drivers hit and run because they don’t want to face the consequences of causing an accident. Sometimes the driver panics, in which case he or she may come forward soon after the incident. More often, hit and run drivers are simply selfish people who put their own interests above the welfare of others.

Accidents are just that—accidental. Often when a driver hits and runs, there is a reason beyond the crash itself. Possibly, the driver:

• Has no insurance
• Is intoxicated
• Has no valid driver’s license
• Doesn’t have permission to drive the car, or is driving a stolen car
• Has several tickets and faces losing his or her license
• Has outstanding warrants or is in the country illegally
• Is carrying drugs or stolen property, or is fleeing the scene of a crime
• Is operating a company car and doesn’t want to face consequences at work

None of these circumstances make it okay to leave the scene of an accident, but some people aren’t mature enough to accept responsibility for what they’ve done.

If the Other Driver Leaves the Scene

If you are involved in a hit and run crash, try not to let anger cloud your judgment. First things first: take care of you. If you are able to get your car out of the road, do so.

Call 9-1-1 and briefly describe what happened. Ask for an ambulance if you were injured, and tell the 9-1-1 operator that the other driver left the scene.

Try to write down everything you remember about the other vehicle while you wait for help to arrive. Anything at all could help; the car’s color, make and model, license plate number. Even stickers or other identifying details can help law enforcement identify the person who caused your accident.

If your phone is equipped with a camera, take as many pictures as you can without compromising your safety. See if there were any witnesses to the accident; they may have additional information that you weren’t able to get, and ask them to stay and speak with the police.

If your ambulance arrives before the police do, don’t worry. Accident investigators will visit you at the hospital if necessary, after they’ve surveyed the scene.

After the Accident

If you were injured in the crash, you have enough to worry about. You want to focus on your recovery. Let the police do their job, and help them by providing any information you can. This is a great time to talk to a personal injury lawyer and see what options you have to collect compensation for your expenses.

Don’t assume that you don’t have options because the irresponsible driver fled. An experienced attorney may be able to get you the compensation you deserve, whether or not the negligent driver is later identified. A Brooklyn auto accident attorney can be an indispensable resource when it comes to getting the help you need.

Identifying the Hit and Run Driver

It’s not always easy to find and identify the driver who left you with such a mess. Fortunately, many Brooklyn streets are outfitted with cameras. That means there may be recorded evidence that will help investigators to locate the car’s owner and identify the driver.

Depending on the circumstances of the crash, there’s a possibility that the person who caused your injuries will never be found. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re on your own, though. Your attorney will be able to guide you through the entire process to ensure that you aren’t left without options.

Dealing with the Hit and Run Driver

Knowing that you’ve hired a personal injury lawyer will sometimes encourage a person to admit to a hit and run in the hopes of settling out of court, especially if there were witnesses at the accident scene.

The responsible party will likely face criminal charges as well as any civil suit you may file. Police usually remind the irresponsible driver that cooperating with the investigation is in his or her best interest.

Your lawyer will fill you in on state programs that may be available to you, such as New York’s fund for victims of uninsured drivers. Your attorney will also deal with your insurance company to ensure the best possible outcome for your hit and run case.

You have enough to worry about while recovering from your injuries; let your attorney worry about finding you the compensation you deserve.

If you have questions about your accident, do not hesitate to call the Law Offices of Kuharski, Levitz & Giovinazzo.  Many times, time is of the essence.  Call 718-448-1600.