I Was Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident: Do I Have Legal Options?
Each year in the United States, auto accidents cause millions of dollars in financial damages, much of which stems from collision injuries. Accident victims have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately, accident victims do not always know who is responsible for their injuries. Individuals injured in a hit-and-run accident often wonder about their legal options. Auto accident lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C., which serves the Brooklyn, NY, area, work with hit-and-run victims to consider their best course of legal action.
Who Pays for Hit-and-Run Injury Damages?
Hit-and-run accidents are unique in that the responsible driver may not be known. Despite efforts made by the police, many hit-and-run drivers are never caught following an accident. Even if they are eventually found, injury victims cannot wait for a driver to be located to receive medical treatment. Unfortunately, this means that injury victims are often initially responsible for paying their medical expenses and all other financial damages. Fortunately, there are legal options for hit-and-run injury victims to consider regarding compensation for injury damages.
Legal Options for Hit-and-Run Accidents Involving Vehicles
Individuals in a vehicle when a hit-and-run accident occurs can often file a claim or lawsuit against their own insurance company. The type and amount of compensation provided depends on the type of insurance policy the victim carries. Car insurance policies that may cover the financial damages of a hit-and-run accident include:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage - New York is one of many states that require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. Brooklyn drivers must buy UM coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Under the law, hit-and-run drivers are considered uninsured so a UM policy could cover hit-and-run losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Collision coverage - Collision coverage pays for damage to a vehicle, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage - MedPay is an optional insurance policy that pays for the immediate medical care of vehicle passengers and drivers, regardless of who is at fault.
Legal Options for Hit-and-Run Accidents Involving Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Pedestrians and bicyclists injured in hit-and-run crashes often feel like they have no options following an accident. Fortunately, even though pedestrians and bicyclists are not in a vehicle at the time of an accident, they can still file a claim through their insurance company’s uninsured motorist policy since the driver responsible for the collision is considered uninsured.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Hit-and-run injury victims may question if they need a lawyer since they are usually filing an insurance claim rather than a personal injury lawsuit. We highly recommend that hit-and-run victims consult with our Brooklyn lawyers. We review the details of a car accident to ensure that any claim or lawsuit is filed correctly and that maximum damages are pursued.
Contact Zucker & Regev, P.C.
Car accident lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C. are prepared to assist hit-and-run accident victims in pursuing compensation for economic and non-economic injury damages. To discuss the details of your case with our legal team, contact our law firm online and request a consultation.