It can take a while before you snap out of the shock of a car accident. The shock can worsen when the at-fault driver is nowhere you can see. Please speak to our Buffalo hit and run accident lawyer for expert help identifying the liable parties and filing a successful claim. If you or your loved ones suffer injuries in such a car accident, Morelli Law Firm can be your legal partner to ensure you get compensation. Contact our lawyer at (212) 751-9800 for a discussion on your case.
Handling Hit and Run Car Accidents in New York
The New York law requires all motorists to stop at the scene after any car crash. If there are no severe injuries, stopping involves exchanging insurance details.
If you are involved in a car accident, you should inform the other party of any injuries or damages immediately. If the accident has led to the destruction of private or public property, the perpetrator must notify the property owner about the damage. The property could be a traffic utility, parked vehicle, or a nearby building.
If the damage’s value is more than $1,000 or there is death or bodily injuries, the motorist must file a report with the New York Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV). You have to do so even if you are the only party that has suffered injuries or the only person involved in the crash.
Hit and run car accidents risk the suspension or revocation of the at-fault driver’s license. Although all states have laws requiring both drivers not to flee the accident scene, most of them still contravene such laws.
There are various reasons why drivers hit other motorists or pedestrian and immediately flee the scene, including:
- Drivers who have warrants of arrest for other crimes
- Driving while intoxicated
- Mistakenly assuming the accident is too trivial to report
- Fear of making insurance premiums rise
- Drivers who are undocumented aliens
- Panic and anxiety
Contact our Buffalo hit and run accident lawyer at (212) 751-9800 if you consider pursuing compensation for your hit and run accident.
Morelli Law Firm will investigate the reasons for the at-fault driver’s actions to use as a basis for filing your claim.
Get Expert Help from Our Buffalo Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
The perpetrator of a car wreck might disappear from the scene without giving you the necessary help or exchanging vital information. However, do not think that you cannot recover financial compensation from such an ordeal. There are legal ways to ensure you receive reparations for your damages.
Working with an injury lawyer can help you get the settlement you deserve. To ensure you win the case, an attorney will provide essential services, including:
- Liaise with law enforcement officers to help trace the hit and run motorist
- Study the accident scene to establish negligence
- Determine other at-fault parties, if any
- Work with leading car crash and injury experts to determine the value of your claim
- Lead negotiations with auto insurers
Claims involving hit and run crashes are different from other car wrecks. There is an extra difficulty, especially if the at-fault motorist is still on the run. However, our lawyer can use many resources to find such fugitives and hold them accountable for your injuries and other damages.
Reach out to our Buffalo hit and run accident lawyer today for more details on how you can get justice for your case.
Buffalo Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Insurance Coverage for Hit and Run Accidents in Buffalo
New York applies no-fault insurance rules. Your insurance coverage is the first avenue for settlement. It can help reduce the worry that often accompanies hit and run accidents. The minimum personal injury protection (PIP)
coverage is $50,000, and the minimum underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) or uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is also the same amount.
The PIP, UIM, and UM may be sufficient to cover minor injuries. Ensure you document your medical expenses, related travel costs, missed time from work, and other factors related to your hit and run accident.
However, your insurance carrier may offer less compensation. Your lawyer will safeguard your interest by handling the negotiations and ensuring you receive a fair settlement.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Act (MVAI)
It is a law that can help you after a hit and run accident, especially if you have exhausted your insurance coverage. If the culprit’s insurance plan is unavailable or the victim is uninsured, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Act (MVAI) can come in handy.
New York’s Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) can offer protection for individuals like:
- New Yorkers who do not carry insurance
- Victims of hit and run car accidents
- People who do not own cars
- People who do not operate cars
To win compensation under the MVAI Act, you must file a claim with the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation.
Please do not handle such claims on your own if you want a desirable outcome. Get in touch with a Buffalo hit and run accident lawyer to avoid making any mistakes, jeopardizing your claim.
Another precondition for the MVAIC to compensate for your injuries is that the cause of your injuries should fall within what the New York law considers as a car accident. According to New York Insurance (ISC) §5217, there should be physical contact between your body or the car you were traveling in and the perpetrator’s vehicle to qualify for benefits.
To help prove you were a victim of a hit and run accident, your lawyer can gather different kinds of evidence, such as:
- Video and CCTV file footage of the accident
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Damage to your vehicle
- Witness statements
Contact Morelli Law Firm to Recover Your Damages
If you were in a hit and run accident, contact us immediately. Our Buffalo hit and run accident lawyer can help you win compensatory damages, such as medical bills, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, pain, suffering, and wrongful death. Call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 to schedule your free initial consultation.