Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Melville, NY

A hit-and-run accident leaves you injured, your vehicle damaged, and the responsible driver nowhere to be found. When another driver flees the scene without providing their contact or insurance information, you face a unique challenge: how do you recover compensation when you don’t know who hit you? The answer lies in your own insurance coverage and the help of an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer in Melville, NY. Parker Waichman LLP has spent decades helping Melville residents and Long Island accident victims navigate these complex claims and recover the full compensation they deserve.

Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP for Your Hit and Run Accident Claim

When you’re injured in a hit-and-run accident, you need a law firm that understands both the legal complexities and the emotional toll of your situation. Parker Waichman LLP brings decades of experience handling hit-and-run cases throughout Melville and Long Island. Our team has recovered over $2 billion for clients across all practice areas, and we apply that same dedication to every hit-and-run claim we handle. You can review our verdicts and settlements to see the results we’ve achieved for clients.

Here’s what sets us apart: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your case. Our Melville office is conveniently located at 201 Old Country Road, Suite 145, so you can meet with us locally. Most importantly, we have the experience and resources to investigate your accident thoroughly, negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, and pursue litigation if necessary to maximize your recovery.

What Happens in a Hit and Run Accident

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing their name, contact information, or insurance details. This is both a criminal offense and a civil liability issue. The driver who fled faces criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600, but that doesn’t automatically help you recover compensation for your injuries and damages.

Drivers flee hit-and-run scenes for various reasons: fear of arrest due to a suspended license, lack of insurance, intoxication, or simply panic. Regardless of their motivation, their departure creates an immediate problem for you. You may not have the at-fault driver’s insurance information, making it difficult to file a claim against their policy. You also lose valuable evidence as time passes—witness memories fade, traffic camera footage gets deleted, and vehicle debris disappears.

Reporting the accident to the police immediately is not just helpful—it is mandatory. To obtain Uninsured Motorist (UM) benefits for a hit-and-run in New York, you generally must file a police report within 24 hours of the accident. If you wait longer than one day without a valid reason, your insurance company can legally deny your claim entirely. This evidence becomes essential when you file an insurance claim. The police report also creates an official record that the accident occurred and that the driver fled, which strengthens your claim.

How Parker Waichman LLP Helps You Recover Compensation

Our approach to hit-and-run cases is comprehensive and aggressive. We begin by investigating your accident thoroughly. We work with police to obtain the accident report and any available evidence. We interview witnesses who may have seen the fleeing vehicle or driver. We review traffic camera footage from nearby businesses or intersections. We examine vehicle debris left at the scene, which can sometimes help identify the vehicle’s make and model.

Once we’ve gathered evidence, we work with your insurance company to identify all available coverage. In many hit-and-run cases, the at-fault driver is never identified, which means you’ll rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage. We negotiate with your insurer to ensure they properly evaluate your claim and offer fair compensation. If the insurance company undervalues your claim or refuses to pay, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.

If the at-fault driver is later identified, we pursue a direct claim against their insurance policy. This often results in higher compensation than uninsured motorist coverage alone. We handle all negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company, protecting your interests throughout the process. Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience with these complex negotiations.

Insurance Coverage Options After a Hit and Run

Understanding your insurance coverage is essential after a hit-and-run accident. Most drivers have several types of coverage that may apply to your situation.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you when the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured. This coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages up to your policy limits. In hit-and-run cases where the driver is never found, UM coverage is your primary recovery source. Note: If you are a pedestrian or cyclist who does not own a car (and does not live with anyone who does), you likely need to file with the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). MVAIC has a strict 90-day filing deadline that you cannot miss.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver is identified, but their insurance limits are insufficient to cover your damages. If you recover $50,000 in damages but the at-fault driver’s policy only covers $25,000, your UIM coverage bridges that gap.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is New York’s no-fault coverage. It pays your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to your policy limits. PIP typically covers up to $50,000 in benefits, though you can purchase higher limits under New York Insurance Law § 5102(a).

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle caused by an accident. This coverage applies whether the other driver is identified or not.

Medical Payments coverage provides additional coverage for medical expenses incurred by you and your passengers, regardless of fault.

New York’s no-fault insurance system means your own insurance company pays your medical bills and lost wages initially, even if the other driver caused the accident. This system ensures you receive prompt payment for necessary treatment without waiting for a settlement or court judgment.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

Hit and run accidents often result in serious injuries and significant financial losses. The damages you can recover include:

Medical expenses cover all treatment related to your accident injuries, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. We pursue compensation for both past medical expenses and future medical care you’ll need. Our medical malpractice attorneys understand the full scope of injury-related costs.

Lost wages compensate you for income you lost while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, we pursue lost earning capacity damages, which account for your reduced ability to earn income in the future.

Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries. These damages are separate from medical expenses and lost wages.

Vehicle repair or replacement costs cover the damage to your vehicle. If your vehicle is totaled, we pursue the fair market value of your vehicle before the accident.

Scarring and disfigurement damages apply if your injuries result in permanent visible marks or scars that affect your appearance.

Permanent disability or impairment damages apply if your injuries prevent you from performing your job or enjoying activities you did before the accident.

Wrongful death damages apply if a loved one died in the hit and run accident. These damages compensate surviving family members for their loss.

The Hit and Run Settlement Process

Understanding the settlement process helps you know what to expect as your case progresses. The process typically begins with filing a claim with your insurance company. You’ll provide the police report, medical records, and documentation of your damages. Your insurance company assigns a claims adjuster to investigate your claim.

The investigation phase involves gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, and documenting your damages. We work with your insurance company during this phase, providing additional evidence and information to support your claim. Our car accident lawyers have handled thousands of these investigations.

Once the investigation is complete, we prepare a demand letter that outlines your injuries, damages, and the compensation you’re seeking. This letter includes medical records, bills, wage loss documentation, and other evidence supporting your claim.

The negotiation phase begins when we submit the demand letter. Your insurance company may accept the demand, reject it, or make a counteroffer. We negotiate on your behalf, pushing for fair compensation while remaining open to reasonable settlement offers.

If negotiations reach an impasse, we file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. Most cases settle before trial, but we’re always prepared to take your case to court if necessary. Our litigation team has extensive trial experience in personal injury cases.

The timeline for hit-and-run cases varies. Simple cases with clear liability and documented damages may settle within 6 to 12 months. Complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or litigation may take 1 to 3 years. We work efficiently to resolve your case while ensuring you receive maximum compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run accident?

Your immediate actions after a hit-and-run accident are critical. First, call 911 and report the accident to police. Provide officers with a detailed description of the fleeing vehicle and driver if you saw them. Seek medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor—some injuries develop symptoms hours or days after an accident. Document the accident scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible debris. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident or the fleeing vehicle. Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Finally, contact Parker Waichman LLP for legal guidance. We can advise you on how to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

Can I recover compensation if the driver is never found?

Yes, you can recover compensation even if the at-fault driver is never identified. Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents where the driver is unidentified. UM coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages up to your policy limits. Parker Waichman LLP handles the entire claim process with your insurance company, ensuring they properly evaluate your damages and offer fair compensation.

How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim?

New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident under New York CPLR § 214(4)(5). However, insurance claims have much shorter deadlines. You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours and to your insurance company as soon as possible. Additionally, you must file an application for No-Fault (PIP) benefits within 30 days of the accident. Missing any one of these strict deadlines can leave you without coverage. Missing these deadlines can jeopardize your recovery. Contact Parker Waichman LLP immediately after your accident to ensure you meet all filing deadlines.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

New York follows pure comparative negligence rules, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but there is no threshold that bars recovery. Even if you were more than 50% responsible, you could still recover a portion of your damages. For example, if you were 30% at fault and the other driver was 70% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages. Conversely, if you were 60% at fault and the other driver was 40% at fault, you could still recover 40% of your damages.

How much does it cost to hire Parker Waichman LLP?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs to hire us. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. We charge a percentage of your recovery as our fee, and you pay nothing if we don’t win your case. We also offer a free initial consultation with no obligation. Call (516) 466-6500 to discuss your case with an experienced hit and run accident lawyer.

What if the at-fault driver is later identified?

If the at-fault driver is identified after your accident, we pursue a direct claim against their insurance policy. This often results in higher compensation than uninsured motorist coverage alone, because you’re claiming against their liability insurance rather than your own UM coverage. We handle all negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company, protecting your interests and fighting for maximum compensation. Our car accident attorneys have recovered millions in these direct claims.

How long does a hit-and-run case typically take?

Simple hit and run cases with clear liability and documented damages typically settle within 6 to 12 months. More complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability may take 1 to 3 years. We work efficiently to resolve your case while ensuring you receive fair compensation. We keep you informed throughout the process and answer your questions promptly. Our Long Island personal injury team has handled hundreds of these cases.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP for Your Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Melville or anywhere on Long Island, don’t face this challenge alone. Parker Waichman LLP has the experience, resources, and dedication to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call 800-968-7529 24/7 to speak with an experienced hit and run accident lawyer. We’re available for immediate consultation, and there’s no obligation and no cost to discuss your case.

Our Melville office is conveniently located to serve residents throughout Long Island and New York. When you call, we’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. We’ll tell you honestly what we think your case is worth and what we can do to help. If you decide to work with us, we’ll handle every aspect of your claim—from investigating your accident to negotiating with insurance companies to pursuing litigation if necessary. You focus on recovering from your injuries while we fight for your rights and your recovery.

Don’t wait. Hit and run cases require prompt action to preserve evidence and meet filing deadlines. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today for your free consultation.