Hit and run accidents are on the rise, especially in major cities such as New York. Accident information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that the number of fatal hit and run accidents has increased by more than 13 percent, while traffic deaths overall have decreased by 4.5 percent since 2009. The rise in hit and run accidents is leading to stricter laws in many states, especially those with the highest rates of fatalities.
Many hit and run accident victims falsely believe that because the negligent party fled the scene of the accident, they are unable to collect any compensation for their injuries. With the help of an experienced New York car accident attorney, you can protect your legal rights and are more likely to recover the compensation that you deserve.
What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit and run accident and suffered serious physical injuries, you need to take certain important steps to increase the likelihood of recovering compensation, including:
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Get the license plate number of the negligent party, if you can.
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Immediately call the police and report the accident. Provide as much detail as possible about the negligent party who fled the scene of the accident.
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Complete an accident report with the police.
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Report the accident to your insurance carrier.
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Hire an attorney who has experience handling hit and run accidents.
Getting Compensation
Even if the police are unable to find the negligent party who caused the accident, your attorney may be able to help you recover compensation under your own insurance policy. If your insurance policy has an uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim and get recovery for your:
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Medical bills
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Loss of wages
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Pain and suffering
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Any other out of pocket expenses, etc.
Call Us
Attorney Kenneth A. Wilhelm is a New York car accident attorney with over 43 years of experience. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call 1-800-967-5496 24 Hours a day, seven days a week or visit us at www.work4youlaw.com. We can even come to you. Huge amounts of money have been offered to our clients.