Trusted New York City Hit And Run Accident Lawyer

The driver who hit you vanished, leaving you injured, confused, and alone on a New York City street. You're dealing with mounting medical bills, physical pain that disrupts your daily life, and the overwhelming stress of not knowing who's responsible or how you'll recover financially.

Here's what we want you to know: You don't need to find the at fault driver to receive fair compensation. Our award-winning hit and run collision attorneys know exactly how to maximize your compensation.

Every year, over 4,000 hit-and-run car accidents occur on NYC streets, with victims often left navigating complex insurance claims while recovering from serious injuries.

Whether you were struck on FDR Drive, hurt in Times Square, hit while biking through Central Park, or left injured anywhere across the five boroughs, you deserve an NYC hit and run accident lawyer who knows these streets and understands the unique challenges you face.

At Raphaelson & Levine, we've spent over 30 years navigating personal injury law for thousands of New Yorkers just like you. We know that accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists (especially hit-and-run cases) feel particularly devastating.

With 99% client satisfaction, we've been rated in New York's "Super Lawyers" for over 10 years in a row. Our personal injury lawyers know how to track down fleeing drivers, maximize uninsured motorist coverage, and secure the compensation you need to heal.

NEXT STEP: Call (212) 268-3222 now for your free consultation. We don't get paid unless you win.

Why Should I Hire A New York Hit & Run Accident Lawyer at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm?

Without an experienced attorney at Raphaelson & Levine, the injured party risks accepting inadequate compensation or missing New York's strict three-year statute of limitations. Insurance companies know unrepresented victims accept 40% less compensation, and they count on hit-and-run victims feeling desperate enough to accept lowball settlements.

You don't have to face this alone. As members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (representing fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers), our team has the resources and reputation to take on even the toughest cases.

While you focus on healing, our personal injury lawyers launch an immediate investigation:, our personal injury lawyers launch an immediate investigation:

• Canvass for surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras, and doorbell cameras
• Re-interview witnesses police officers may have missed
• Search social media for witnesses who posted about the accident
• Work with accident reconstruction experts
• Collaborate with NYPD hit-and-run units
• Access traffic camera networks and license plate readers throughout NYC
• Analyze paint transfers and vehicle debris
• Hire private investigators with subpoena power

Success Story: "After NYPD closed my case, Raphaelson & Levine found video footage from a bodega two blocks away. They identified the other driver and I received $450,000." - Maria S., Brooklyn

In negotiations with insurance companies, we level the playing field:

• Handle all communications - Never speak to insurers alone
• Fight lowball settlement offers with documented evidence
• Pursue bad faith claims when insurers delay or deny
• Maximize coverage from multiple policies
• Coordinate benefits to avoid gaps

We fight to recover compensation for your severe injuries from all responsible parties. When drivers flee hit and run accidents, other parties may share responsibility. Our New York City hit and run accident lawyers review all insurance coverage and prove liability for involved parties that may have contributed to your collision.

Time is critical — Evidence disappears daily. Don't wait to protect your rights. Contact us today.

Injured in a hit and run? Get Your Free Case Evaluation

No upfront costs – You don’t pay unless we win your case.

212-268-3222

Understanding Your Coverage Options After a Hit-and-Run

When the driver involved in your accident flees, many victims assume they're out of options. That's simply not true. Here's how we help you recover compensation through every available source:

1. Your Own Insurance Company (No-Fault/PIP Benefits)

New York's no-fault system means your own insurance company must provide immediate benefits, regardless of who caused the accident. According to the New York State Department of Financial Services, these benefits include:

• Medical expenses: 100% covered up to $50,000 (no deductibles)
• Lost wages: 80% coverage up to $2,000/month
• Essential services: $25/day for household help
• Death benefits: $2,000 to estate

These benefits are available immediately. An injured driver doesn't need the other driver's license information to file a personal injury claim.

2. Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Every New York policy includes protection against hit-and-run drivers and uninsured or underinsured motorists:

• Bodily injury coverage: $25,000-$100,000+ per person
• Covers pain and suffering beyond basic no-fault
• Multiple policies in your household may stack
• No penalty for using this coverage

3. MVAIC Protection (If You're Uninsured)

Were you walking? Biking? Don't have insurance? The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation still protects you:

• Government fund specifically for uninsured victims
• Similar coverage to standard policies
• Available to pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers
• Critical: You must report within 24 hours and file within 90 days

4. Third-Party Liability Sources

When we investigate your hit and run case, we often discover other parties who share legal responsibility for the motor vehicle accident:

• Property owner: Poor lighting or obstructed views that contributed
• Bars/restaurants: Overserving the uninsured driver (dram shop laws)
• Employers: If the at fault party was working
• Government entities: Dangerous road conditions or missing signage
• Other vehicles: Multiple cars involved where the collision occurred

Time Is Critical: What to Do Right Now

The moments after a hit-and-run accident can feel chaotic and overwhelming.

But, the actions you take in those first hours and days can make all the difference in your case. Here's your roadmap to protecting your rights:

Immediate Actions (First 24-48 Hours)

Evidence disappears fast in hit-and-run cases. While memories are fresh and evidence still exists:

At the Scene:

• Call 911 immediately (it's the law when injuries occur)
• Photograph everything — injuries, damage, skid marks, debris
• Gather evidence from witnesses before they leave
• Note any details about the fleeing vehicle
• Accept immediate medical attention (even soft tissue injuries can worsen)

Within 24 Hours:

• File a police report (required for MVAIC claims)
• Contact our law office before giving any recorded statements
• Begin documenting all injuries and symptoms (broken bones, etc.)
• Start medical treatment to establish your record serious injury

Why timing matters: Security footage typically overwrites within 7-30 days. Physical evidence gets cleaned away. Witnesses become impossible to find. Insurance deadlines can completely bar your claim.

How We Build Your Strongest Hit And Run Accident Case

While police often close hit and run accidents quickly, our investigation continues.

As recipients of the New York Law Journal's "Top Verdicts & Settlements Hall of Fame" award, we know what it takes to build winning cases and insurance companies know our reputation.

We're members of the National Trial Lawyers "Top 100" and have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America© as a Tier 1 firm for Personal Injury Litigation. They know we won't accept unfair settlements.

We change the dynamic by:

• Documenting the true extent of your injuries with medical experts
• Fighting for fair compensation using jury verdict research
• Coordinating multiple insurance policies for maximum coverage
• Pursuing bad faith claims when insurers delay or lowball

Don't let insurance companies take advantage of you. Call (212) 268-3222 for a free case evaluation.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

When it comes to hit-and-run accidents, New York law provides powerful protections for victims. Understanding these rights can mean the difference between minimal compensation and the full recovery you deserve.

Negligence Per Se: Your Legal Advantage

When the at fault driver flees an accident scene, they've already violated New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600. This creates powerful legal consequences:

• Automatic negligence, fleeing equals admission of fault
• Burden shifts to them to prove otherwise
• Strengthens your personal injury lawsuit significantly
• Criminal charges further support your civil case

Comparative Negligence in Hit-and-Run Cases

Even if you were partially at fault (jaywalking, not in a bike lane), you can still receive compensation:

• New York follows "pure comparative negligence"
• Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
• Hit-and-run drivers typically bear 85-100% responsibility
• We work to minimize any fault assigned to you

Example: If your damages total $100,000 and you're found 15% at fault, you still recover $85,000.

How Much Is My Hit & Run Car Accident Case Worth?

Every case is unique, but understanding the types of damages available helps set realistic expectations. Our team includes 7 lawyers listed in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America®, and will thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your losses:

Economic Damages (Documented Losses)

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Out-of-pocket costs (transportation, home care)

Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life)

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)

Punitive Damages (When We Find the Driver)

Available in cases involving:

• Drunk driving
• Extreme recklessness
• Repeat offenders
• Knowledge that someone was hurt

We've Handled All Types Of Hit & Run Collisions In New York

With over three decades serving New York hit and run accident victims, we've seen it all. Our experience spans every type of collision:

• Vehicle-to-Vehicle Highway Collisions - Highway merges and intersections
• Pedestrian Knockdowns - Crosswalks, sidewalks, parking areas
• Bicycle Accidents - Bike lanes, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge
• Motorcycle Hit-and-Runs - Often the most serious injuries
• Parked Car Injuries - Passengers exiting, parking lots, and loading/unloading

This breadth of experience, recognized by our selection to the Trial Lawyers Board of Regents' "Litigator Award" (top 1% of all lawyers), means we know exactly how to handle your unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the police can't find the hit-and-run driver?

In New York, you can still seek compensation through your own insurance company's no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage. We've helped hundreds of clients receive a fair settlement without ever identifying the fleeing driver.

Will my insurance rates go up if I file a claim?

No. New York law prohibits insurers from raising rates for not-at-fault accidents, including hit-and-runs. Using your uninsured motorist coverage won't penalize you.

What if I don't have insurance?

MVAIC provides coverage for uninsured victims, including pedestrians and cyclists. However, you must report the accident within 24 hours and file your claim within 90 days.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?

The statute of limitations is:

• 3 years for personal injury
• 2 years for wrongful death
• 90 days for MVAIC notice

However, evidence disappears quickly, so contact us immediately.

What if I only have soft tissue injuries?

Don't minimize your injuries. What seems minor can develop into chronic pain. We ensure all injuries, visible or not, are properly documented and compensated.

Can I afford a hit and run accident attorney?

Absolutely. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs and only get paid from successful personal injury cases.

NYC's Most Dangerous Hit-And-Run Locations

Our data from handling thousands of car accident cases in New York reveals patterns that strengthen claims.

Brooklyn and Queens account for the majority of NYC’s most dangerous hit-and-run locations.

Understanding where and why these accidents happen and common contrubitng factors helps us build stronger cases than other firms without our local expertise:

Common Factors in Hit And Run Collisions

• Complex intersections near highway access points
• High-speed corridors with limited pedestrian safety infrastructure
• Vision Zero Priority Corridors that remain under-improved
• Limited visibility and escape route availability
• Heavy traffic volume mixing with pedestrian activity

Manhattan Hot Spots

• Times Square/42nd Street & 8th Avenue: Records over 140 crashes annually as tourist congestion creates blind spots; drivers flee into parking garages
• FDR Drive Exits: Speed differentials and poor lighting; limited witnesses after dark
• Houston Street Corridor: Wide lanes encourage speeding; multiple escape routes

Outer Borough Danger Zones

• Queens Boulevard has recorded multiple fatal hit-and-run incidents, named "Boulevard of Death" its 12 lanes create confusion
• Linden Boulevard & Pennsylvania Avenue has hundreds of accidents each year, including a fatal hit-and-run where a pedestrian was struck by two vehicles
• Horace Harding Expressway & Casino Boulevard was the site of a fatal hit-and-run involving a U-Haul truck and Honda sedan resulted in a pedestrian
• Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn: Long straightaways promote excessive speed
• Grand Concourse, Bronx: Service road design enables quick escapes
• Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island: Highest speed limits with isolated stretches
• Major Deegan Expressway (in the Bronx) has been the site of multiple fatal hit-and-run crashes
• East 228th Street & Laconia Avenue in Edenwald was the location of a brutal hit-and-run, where a 22-year-old was struck by a black SUV that sped up before impact

Understanding where your accident happened helps us anticipate defenses and gather targeted evidence.

Injured? Our Experienced New York City Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident, you don't have to face the insurance companies or legal system alone.

For over 30 years, we've been NYC's "Voice of the Injured," and we take that responsibility seriously.

The attorney-client relationship matters to us.

You're not just another personal injury case file. Our compassionate legal team will stand by your side through every step of your car accident cases. We fight to ensure you, the injured person, receive the justice and fair compensation you deserve

With over 600 five-star reviews and consistent recognition among the best personal injury lawyers in New York, we've earned our reputation through results:

• Over $900 Million recovered for injured New Yorkers
• Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Named to New York Magazine's "Leaders in the Law"
• Featured in the New York Law Journal's Hall of Fame

No Recovery = No Fee Guarantee

✓ No upfront costs — We advance all expenses
✓ No hidden fees — Clear contingency agreement
✓ No risk — We only get paid if you win

Don't let a hit-and-run driver leave you with nothing. Even if they're never found, we'll explore every avenue to maximize your compensation.

Every day matters; evidence disappears and deadlines approach. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.

Free Consultation: (212) 268-3222 • Available 24/7 • Se Habla Español