What to Do If You Are Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident in New York
It is always a jarring experience to be involved in a car accident. You have to figure out how to get your life back to normal and deal with any damages you and your vehicle may have suffered. It is even more shocking when you have suffered a personal injury and the accident is a hit-and-run. You may feel as though you are totally out of options. After all, how are you supposed to pursue charges against someone who is no longer there? Fortunately, an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer may be able to help.
Hit-and-Run Accidents Are More Common Than You Think
Hit-and-run accidents are a serious crime anywhere in the United States, including in the State of New York. Unfortunately, this still was not enough to keep over 38,000 drivers from fleeing the accident scene in New York City in the year 2015. Fortunately, statistics show that most of these hit-and-run accidents reported only property damage and no bodily injury. However, 4,000 hit-and-runs that year did involve reported personal injury. More seriously, 48 of those 4,000 cases involved serious injury or death. From these statistics, it is obvious that hit-and-runs are not something anybody should take lightly.
Recovering From Hit-and-Run Accidents
Fortunately for hit-and-run victims, any uninsured motorist coverage you have will cover a hit-and-run accident. However, this coverage may quickly be exhausted if you have sustained any more serious injuries. In the State of New York specifically, there is a special provision for victims of hit-and-run accidents. This is called the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Act.
In order to recover under this law, any victims must file a claim with the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). You will need to submit the following documentation for review:
- Completed, signed, and notarized Notice of Intention (NOI)
- Completed, signed, and notarized Household Affidavit (HHA)
- Proof of residency reflecting the address you lived at on the date of the accident
- Proof that there is no other available insurance that would deem you not eligible for benefits through MVAIC
Pedestrians Are Also at Risk
It is important to know that drivers are not the only ones at risk of being victimized by a hit-and-run. On the contrary, pedestrians and bikers are both also at risk. In fact, they are actually at an even bigger disadvantage than any drivers because they generally do not have the sort of insurance policy that a driver may have in case of an accident. However, there may still be ways to recover.
Seeking Legal Help
If you or a loved one have recently been a victim of personal injury as a result of a hit-and-run accident, we at Gattuso & Ciottoli, PLLC may be able to help. Our offices are based in Syracuse and we proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced New York hit-and-run accident attorneys. Let us fight for you.