Unfortunately, hit-and-runs are not uncommon in New York. Even cyclists are guilty of it. If there’s one bright spot to a hit-and-run in New York, it’s that there are almost always witnesses and cameras recording the scene.
Here are some tips for dealing with a hit-and-run:
Leaving the scene
If you are hit and injured while on foot, no matter how minor or whose fault it was, it is illegal for the driver to leave the scene.
The driver is legally required to check for injuries, share their contact, license and insurance information and, in most cases, wait for a police officer to arrive to file a report.
Drivers may only leave the scene without filing a police report, after exchanging information, if there were no injuries and the total damage to vehicles and property appears to be less than $1,000.
Do not attempt to prevent the driver from leaving
If the driver is fleeing, they may be doing so because they are intoxicated or are wanted by the police for other crimes. They may even be armed. For your safety, do not try to detain them in any way.
Call the police
Again, even if you seem uninjured, if the driver leaves the scene before exchanging information, they have broken the law. File a police report. It’s possible that injuries won’t be apparent for a day or more, so you want to report the incident in case you incur medical bills or miss work.
Take notes and pictures
Take photos of the scene from every angle. If necessary, take photos of your injuries as well. The more pictures, the better. You can always delete the ones that aren’t useful.
Also, write down everything you can remember while it’s still fresh. Were you able to identify the make, model and color of the car before it disappeared? Or even a few digits of the license plate? How about details about the driver, including gender, race, hair length and color? Were they wearing glasses or on their phone? This will all help track down the driver and build your case.
Talk to witnesses
People tend to hang around the scene of a hit-and-run. Don’t be afraid to ask them what they saw and get their contact information.
Surveillance video
Between traffic cameras, security cameras, doorbell cameras and chance smartphone video, there’s likely to be footage of the accident somewhere. Seek out these possible video sources as soon as possible. Security cameras on businesses and private homes sometimes only keep footage for a short time before it is recorded over with new footage.
Call your insurance company
Whether you suffer immediate injuries or they take time to become apparent, you should find out if and how you’re covered in case large medical bills and missed work become a problem.
Finally, if the hit-and-run adversely affects you in any way, you may be eligible for damages when and if the driver is located. Contact an attorney for a consultation.
