Queens Hit And Run Accident Lawyers

Queens Hit And Run Accident Lawyers You Can Rely On

It can be very traumatic and frustrating to be in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, especially if the injuries are severe. It’s even more aggravating when the other driver hits you and then drives away. If you’re in Queens and this has happened to you, it’s important to have an aggressive personal injury attorney who can explain your choices and fight for your rights.

If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in New York City, you can count on our Queens hit and run accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez to advocate for you. We are dedicated to helping injured victims obtain the financial compensation they need to cover their bills and provide for their families. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation to learn more about your rights.

What Is Considered A Hit-and-Run Accident?

If a driver is involved in a car accident that causes property damage or personal injury, they are required by law in New York to stop and provide their name, address, driver’s license, and car insurance information to any injured party or to the police. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a hit-and-run and is illegal. Research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that those who flee the scene of a car accident may be:

• Driving without a license
• Trying to hide the fact that they were in a crash
• Driving without insurance
• Concealing criminal activity, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Unaware that they were in a crash

According to AAA, young men with a record of drunk driving and license suspension are more likely to be involved in fatal hit-and-run crashes. They usually drive older cars and have high levels of alcohol in their blood if caught. Additionally, they may not have liability insurance. AAA also reports that pedestrians are the most common victims of hit-and-run crashes, accounting for over 20% of pedestrian deaths over the 30 years studied. These crashes occur more frequently in urban areas.

New York Law: Drivers Must Stop at the Scene of an Accident

It is mandatory for all drivers in New York State to stop and stay at the site of an accident. If there is no medical emergency, leaving the collision scene before exchanging contact details with others involved or until a police officer arrives is prohibited. Unfortunately, there are still many drivers who do not obey these regulations. Hit-and-run collisions continue to be a significant issue with around 750,000 such accidents reported every year in the United States according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in New York

If you are in a car accident in Queens and the other driver doesn’t stop, there are important steps you should take to safeguard your well-being, rights, and interests. You must stop your vehicle and exchange information with the other driver if there is an accident. Below are five steps to take if a hit-and-run accident occurs in Queens.

Stop Your Vehicle and Get Yourself to Safety

For safety reasons, please relocate your vehicle to a secure spot to prevent further damage. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries right away. If there are any injuries, call 911 immediately and request an ambulance.

Write Down as Much as Possible About the Crash

If another driver flees the scene, do not try to follow or chase them as it can be dangerous. Instead, write down as many details as possible about the other vehicle and its driver. This includes make, model, color, license plate number, and any distinguishable features like damage to the back-right tail light.

Report the Hit-and-Run to Law Enforcement

To report the hit and run accident, call the police and wait for an officer to arrive. Meanwhile, capture multiple pictures of the accident scene, including the exterior and interior damage to your vehicle. If there were any witnesses, ask for their contact details, names, and a brief statement of what they observed. Request them to wait for the police to arrive and give a statement.

Seek Medical Attention for Any Injuries

After the hit-and-run accident, prioritize getting medical attention. If you have a severe injury, head directly to the hospital from the scene of the accident. Your health and well-being should be your top priority, so don’t prioritize anything else over it. Take care of any emergency medical needs first. Keep in mind that you must see a doctor to be able to file a car accident injury claim in New York.

Notify Your Insurer

After the accident, make sure to contact your insurance company to report it. In addition, it’s highly recommended to reach out to a hit-and-run accident lawyer in Queens who can advise you on what to do next. Insurance companies, even your own, can be difficult to deal with in these situations. By working with a skilled Queens hit-and-run accident lawyer, you can ensure that your rights and best interests are safeguarded following a serious collision.

Hit-and-Run Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Cyclists

Walking and biking on New York roads is very risky, especially for pedestrians and cyclists who are at the highest risk for injuries in accidents. The most frequent injuries suffered by pedestrians and cyclists in road accidents are:

• Traumatic head injuries: Symptoms such as cognitive impairments, changes in behavior, memory loss, difficulty regulating emotions, and physical limitations can be caused by these factors.
• Spinal injuries: Partial or complete physical paralysis can be caused by these types of accidents in New York City streets.
• Internal injuries: The injuries that are most frequent are organ damage and internal bleeding. These injuries can pose a threat to life if not treated promptly, and they may not be immediately noticeable.
• Road rash: When cyclists have bike accidents, they often suffer from road rash. This happens when their skin is scraped or torn off after making contact with the pavement or road surface. Road rash causes a lot of pain and can make it difficult to move, and it might be necessary to seek medical attention to avoid infection.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries like bruises, sprains, and strains may not be as serious as other injuries, but they can still result in pain and discomfort and may require medical treatment.

Broken bones: Car accidents often cause broken arms, legs, and ribs in pedestrians and cyclists, which usually needs immobilization or surgery for proper healing. The healing time and treatment may escalate for severe breaks, and even the most critical ones may not heal completely.