Manhattan hit run lawyer: Secure Justice 2025

When Every Second Counts: Understanding Your Rights After a Manhattan Hit and Run

If you need a Manhattan hit run lawyer, here’s what you should know immediately:

Quick Action Guide:

1. Call 911 – Report the accident to police and get medical help
2. Document everything – Note vehicle details, take photos, find witnesses
3. Seek medical care – Even if you feel fine, injuries can appear later
4. Contact a lawyer – You have 3 years to file a personal injury claim in New York
5. File with your insurance – Your PIP coverage applies even if the driver fled

Your Compensation Options:

• If the driver is found: File a claim against their insurance
• If the driver is unknown: Use your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or file with MVAIC
• All cases: Your No-Fault PIP covers initial medical bills up to $50,000

Car accidents are frightening. But when the driver flees the scene, leaving you injured and alone, the situation becomes worse. Hit and run accidents in Manhattan are surging – with incidents jumping 129% compared to pre-pandemic levels across New York City. In 2022 alone, 125 people died in hit-and-run collisions citywide, with 20 of those tragic deaths occurring right here in Manhattan.

You’re not just dealing with physical injuries. You’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and the frustrating reality that the person responsible drove away. Maybe you’re wondering if you can even recover compensation when you don’t know who hit you.

The answer is yes. New York law provides multiple paths to compensation after a hit and run accident. You can pursue claims through your own insurance, seek compensation from government funds designed for these situations, or hold the fleeing driver accountable if they’re identified. But navigating these options requires understanding complex insurance policies, tight deadlines, and legal procedures that most people never encounter.

This is where experienced legal representation becomes critical. The right attorney knows how to investigate these cases, identify all available sources of compensation, and fight for every dollar you deserve – whether the driver is found or not.

I’m Mark Segal, and at Segal & Lax, I’ve spent decades representing injured New Yorkers in complex personal injury cases, including helping hit and run victims across Manhattan recover fair compensation. As a Manhattan hit run lawyer, I understand both the legal challenges and the emotional toll these cases take on victims and their families.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know after a hit and run accident in Manhattan – from the immediate steps that protect your health and legal rights, to understanding New York’s insurance system, to building the strongest possible case for compensation.

What To Do Immediately After a Hit and Run in Manhattan

Being involved in any car accident is a jarring experience, but when the other driver flees, it adds a whole new layer of stress and uncertainty. It’s truly a terrible feeling to be left alone after such a traumatic event. But please know, your immediate actions can make a huge difference, not just for your safety and well-being, but also for building a strong case later on.

First and foremost, your safety comes first. If you can, try to move your vehicle to the side of the road, out of the way of ongoing traffic. If you’re a pedestrian or cyclist, get to a safe spot like a sidewalk or a nearby business. Once you’re safe, the very next step is to call 911 immediately. This will get law enforcement to the scene to document what happened and medical professionals to check on you. Even if the damage seems minor, reporting it creates an official record that’s vital for insurance claims and any legal steps you might take.

Next, please seek medical attention. We can’t stress this enough. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, your body’s adrenaline can mask pain and serious injuries. It’s always best to be checked by a doctor or emergency medical personnel as soon as possible. This ensures any hidden injuries are found and documented, which is crucial for your health and for your personal injury claim.

It’s completely natural to feel angry and frustrated, but whatever you do, do not pursue the fleeing driver. Chasing after them can be incredibly dangerous, risking another accident or even putting you in legal trouble for reckless driving. Your safety is paramount, so let the police handle the pursuit.

Finally, make sure a police report is officially filed. This document is a cornerstone of your case. It will contain the initial details of the accident, statements from any witnesses, and any information gathered about the fleeing vehicle. For more detailed guidance on what to do after any car accident, we have a comprehensive guide you can visit right here: Car Accidents.

Gathering Crucial Evidence at the Scene

Even in the shock and chaos of a hit and run, any detail you can gather at the scene can be a game-changer. Think of yourself as a detective for those critical first moments – every bit of information helps a Manhattan hit run lawyer build your case.

Try your best to remember as much as you can about the other vehicle. What was the vehicle description? Note the make, model, color, and even the approximate year if you can. Did it have any unique features like bumper stickers, noticeable damage from before, or unusual rims? The license plate number is like gold – even a partial number can significantly help law enforcement track down the driver. Did you get a glimpse of the driver? If so, note their driver description – gender, approximate age, hair color, and any other identifiable characteristics. Also, remember the direction of travel they took as they fled. This information can help police check traffic cameras or local businesses for surveillance footage.

Use your smartphone to take lots of photos and videos of everything. This includes your damaged vehicle from different angles, the accident scene itself, road conditions, any skid marks, and even small pieces of debris left behind. If there’s paint transfer from the other vehicle on yours, capture that too! Look around for anyone who might have seen what happened and gather their witness information, including their names and contact details. Independent witness statements are incredibly valuable. Finally, jot down scene details like the exact time, date, and location of the accident. Were there any nearby businesses with surveillance cameras that might have captured the incident? Were there any unique landmarks that can pinpoint the location?

Common Injuries and Why Medical Care is Critical

Hit and run accidents, especially those involving pedestrians or cyclists, often lead to serious injuries. When a driver flees, they leave their victim vulnerable, sometimes making injuries worse by delaying immediate help. It’s a harsh reality, and it’s why getting medical care is so important.

Here are some common injuries we often see in these heartbreaking cases:

• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal cord injuries, which can tragically lead to paralysis
• Lacerations, bruises, and painful contusions
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Collapsed lung
• Herniated discs

Even if you don’t feel immediate pain, some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, can have delayed symptoms that might not appear for hours or even days. Seeking prompt medical attention not only takes care of your health needs but also creates a crucial record of your injuries. This medical documentation is essential evidence in your claim, clearly linking your injuries directly to the hit and run accident. Without it, insurance companies might try to argue your injuries were pre-existing or completely unrelated. For more information about injuries to pedestrians, you can visit our page on Pedestrian Accidents.

Understanding Hit and Run Accidents in New York

In the busy streets of Manhattan, a hit and run accident can feel incredibly disorienting and unfair. You’re left with the aftermath, and the person responsible has simply vanished. But what exactly does New York law say about this kind of incident?

Here in New York, a hit and run is legally defined as “leaving the scene of an incident without reporting.” This isn’t just about car-on-car collisions. It applies to any driver who is involved in an accident—whether they hit another vehicle, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or even just property—and then flees without stopping to exchange information, offer help, or report the incident to the police. This is a clear violation of New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 600.

The seriousness of a hit and run offense really depends on the outcome. Fleeing after causing even a little bit of property damage is against the law. But if the accident leads to personal injury or, tragically, a death, it becomes a much more serious crime, often a felony.

So, why do drivers decide to flee the scene? There’s rarely a good reason, but common factors often include:

• Driving Under the Influence: Many drivers who flee are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They know a DUI charge means severe legal trouble, so they try to escape. You can find more details about New York’s DUI laws here.
• No License or Insurance: Some drivers on Manhattan’s roads may not have a valid license, or their license might be suspended. Others might not have proper car insurance. Fleeing is their way of avoiding penalties for these violations.
• Other Criminal Activity: Occasionally, a driver might be fleeing from another crime or have outstanding warrants. They’re desperate to avoid any contact with law enforcement.
• Pure Panic: Sometimes, especially with less experienced drivers, the shock and fear of an accident can cause them to make the terrible decision to drive away without thinking.

Vulnerable victims like pedestrians and bicyclists are hit particularly hard by hit and run drivers. They often sustain severe injuries and are left with no information about the person who caused them harm. This makes their path to recovery and compensation even more challenging.

Civil vs. Criminal Consequences for the Fleeing Driver

When a driver flees the scene of an accident, they can face two very different legal battles: criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. These processes have different goals and outcomes.

On the criminal side, the state takes action against the driver. The District Attorney’s office is focused on punishing the driver for breaking the law. If caught, the driver could face serious criminal penalties, including fines, jail time, and a license suspension. If the accident caused serious injury or death, the charges could even escalate to felony charges. This is about enforcing the law and holding individuals accountable to society.

Then there’s the civil side, which is all about you, the victim. This is where you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation for your losses. Here, a Manhattan hit run lawyer steps in to help you recover civil liability from the at-fault driver. The focus is on getting you financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any property damage. Because the driver fled, their actions make them clearly responsible for the accident, which is often referred to as negligence per se in legal terms.

The Statute of Limitations for Your Claim

Time is a critical factor after a hit and run. New York law sets strict deadlines for when you can file a personal injury claim. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.

For most personal injury claims resulting from a car accident, including a hit and run, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If, tragically, the accident resulted in a fatality, the family would typically have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. You can learn more about these claims on our Wrongful Death claims page.

These deadlines might seem generous, but they pass quickly, especially when you’re focusing on recovery. That’s why acting swiftly is so important. The sooner you reach out, the sooner your legal team can begin investigating, gathering evidence, and ensuring your rights are protected before crucial deadlines expire.