How Long Island Hit & Run Attorneys Get You Money
What happens after a car accident in Long Island? Typically, after your car stops spinning, you clear your head, check to make sure you are alive, and then dig through your glove compartment to share your insurance card and other identification documents with the other driver. That assumes, however, that there is someone to share that information with. You can’t connect with another driver if they have fled the scene of the accident. In this situation, you are probably wondering what you should do next and how you will get compensation for your injuries. These are legitimate concerns. The best way to get the answers you are looking for is by consulting with a Long Island hit and run lawyer from Tucker Lawyers.
We regularly handle hit and run cases and can help you get the money you deserve, even if the other driver is never found. It is bad enough that you got injured in an accident. The last thing you want is to have to pay for those medical bills on your own. At Tucker Lawyers, we protect your rights in difficult claims like these and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
Just because the other driver fled the scene, that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve fair compensation after a car accident. Contact our law firm at (516) 399-2364 to learn how you can get the money you need after a hit and run accident in Long Island.
Why Do Hit & Run Accidents Happen in Long Island?
According to New York law, your personal insurance policy (PIP) is responsible for paying for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses after a car accident, even if the other driver is responsible. This is because New York is a no-fault state. Since your insurance will pay for your compensation even if the other driver is at fault in the accident, you may be wondering why anyone would flee from an accident. It is a reasonable question. The following are some of the most common reasons people flee.
They Are Driving Without Insurance
Just because your insurance covers your injuries, that doesn’t mean it is legal for other people to drive without insurance. New York requires every driver to purchase insurance. If you are caught driving without insurance, you can face criminal charges. Thus, if someone isn’t insured, they might flee to avoid the potential of having their license revoked or even possibly facing jail time because they weren’t insured when they got into an accident.
They Have Committed a Crime or Are Wanted for a Crime
If you think the consequences of driving without insurance are bad, you should see the consequences of driving without a license or driving a stolen vehicle. A common reason someone might flee the scene of an accident is that they are breaking the law at the time of the accident.
Since the police are usually contacted quickly after an accident, the other driver doesn’t want to be around when the police arrive. Most people in that situation would rather flee the scene than get caught with a stolen vehicle. Similarly, even if the driver isn’t currently breaking the law, if there is a warrant out for their arrest on another matter, the police will identify them and arrest them.
They Fear Losing Their License
If a driver is caught after fleeing the scene of an accident, they will likely have their license revoked. But that assumes that they are caught. Most people who flee the scene of an accident never get caught. And that means they never suffer legal consequences of the accident, which would be getting points on their license and potentially having their license revoked for irresponsible driving. As a rule, if someone is responsible for an accident, they are more likely than not to have been responsible for other accidents in the past.
They Don’t Want Their Insurance Premiums to Increase
While fault doesn’t affect which PIP pays for your injuries, it does affect future premiums. Typically, your insurance company will raise your rates only if you were at fault in the accident. This means that another driver might flee if they know they were at fault and are worried about their premiums increasing. This is risky — it is almost impossible to get insured after fleeing an accident. But some people may choose this risk if they are potentially facing hundreds or thousands of dollars more in premiums every year.
Despite no-fault laws in New York, when another driver flees the scene of the accident, it makes it harder for you to get the compensation you deserve. Our experienced Long Island hit and run attorneys will make it easier. Contact us today at (516) 399-2364 to learn more in a free consultation.
FAQs About Hit & Run Accidents in Long Island
We Answer Your Questions Before You Think to Ask Them
During the decades we have spent helping victims of hit and run accidents, we have been asked hundreds of questions. While some questions are unique to the case of the victim, others are asked again and again. These are some of the most common questions clients ask when they first walk through our doors.
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If New York is a no-fault state, why does it matter if the other driver flees?
Just because it is a no-fault state, that doesn’t mean you can’t sue the other driver. If you suffered serious enough injuries and the other driver was negligent, the state allows you to sue for additional damages. Additionally, you can never get damages for pain and suffering from your PIP. You can only get those damages by suing the other driver.
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Does that mean I won’t get the compensation I deserve if the other driver flees?
No. The other driver may be identified by our legal team or by law enforcement. If this happens, then we know who to sue and we can get you the additional compensation you are owed. You will probably get even more damages than you would have otherwise because the other party fled the accident.
Alternatively, if you have an uninsured/underinsured driver policy, you can get additional damages from this policy, assuming you would have normally had the right to sue. We still need to prove that the other driver was negligent, and, unfortunately, your insurance company will probably try to fight that determination. But that is why you have a hit and run attorney from Tucker Lawyers representing you.
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When can I leave the scene of the accident if the other driver flees?
You shouldn’t leave the accident scene until the police arrive and collect your contact information. The only exception to this is if you are seriously injured and need immediate medical attention. In this case, try to contact the police as soon as you can safely do so.
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Will the other driver go to jail if they are caught?
They might. Fleeing the scene of an accident, especially when another person is injured or killed, is a criminal offense. It can result in jail time. This will depend primarily on why the other person fled the scene, how badly you were injured, and what kind of criminal record the other driver had before the accident.
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How much will a hit and run accident lawyer in Long Island cost?
We take all of our car accident cases on contingency at Tucker Lawyers. This means that we only charge a percentage of the money we win for you as our fee. There are no additional fees for time spent working on the case or to recoup other costs. Our attorneys will explain the fee structure in detail during your free case evaluation.
At Tucker Lawyers, we prefer that our clients are as educated as possible about their legal options. If you have any questions, we are always willing to provide answers.
Why Choose a Long Island Hit & Run Lawyer from Our Law Firm?
While New York laws are designed to protect your rights after a car accident, that doesn’t mean you will be treated fairly by your insurance company. The penalties for violating your rights in an insurance claim are relatively minor, especially for a multimillion-dollar corporation. With minimal incentive to treat you fairly, the insurance company has you at its mercy.
At Tucker Lawyers, we don’t believe that is right. For decades we have been dedicated to ensuring that our clients are treated fairly and get the highest compensation possible. We know the law and understand the suffering that our clients face after a hit and run accident. This empathy allows us to better serve our clients when they are in pain.
Suffering an injury in a car accident is bad enough. Realizing that the other driver has fled the scene and left you to handle it alone makes it worse. Contact our law firm today at (516) 399-2364 to talk to a hit and run lawyer in Long Island who will make this situation easier.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]