Manhattan Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Fighting for Injured New Yorkers for Over 39 Years

Personal Injury Attorney Michael Gunzburg

What Our Clients Say

Who Needs a Manhattan Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

You need legal help after a hit and run if a vehicle struck you while walking and the driver left without stopping, whether you were crossing at a marked crosswalk, waiting at a corner, or walking along a street in Midtown, the Upper East Side, or anywhere else in Manhattan. This applies whether or not the NYPD has identified the driver, and whether or not your injuries appeared immediately.

Hit and run victims face a different set of legal challenges than other pedestrian accident victims. There may be no at-fault driver's insurance to pursue. You may be navigating no-fault coverage, uninsured motorist claims, and the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), all at once. An experienced Manhattan pedestrian accident lawyer can identify every available source of compensation and make sure none of them fall through the cracks.

Common Hit and Run Scenarios in Manhattan

Crosswalk Strikes at High-Traffic Intersections

Manhattan's most dangerous intersections for pedestrians include 5th Avenue and East 42nd Street, 3rd Avenue and 50th/55th Street, and the Broadway corridor through Times Square, all areas with complex signal timing, heavy rideshare traffic, and distracted drivers. A pedestrian crossing with the signal can be struck by a turning vehicle that accelerates away before anyone can record the plate number. At these locations, surveillance camera coverage from traffic cameras, business storefronts, and NYPD systems is often the fastest way to identify a fleeing vehicle.

Sideswipe or Dooring Incidents Along Busy Corridors

Canal Street, upper Broadway, and the stretch along the FDR Drive access roads see high volumes of commercial vehicles and through traffic. Pedestrians walking close to parked cars or delivery trucks are sometimes struck by a mirror, opening door, or passing vehicle, and the driver may not even stop. These incidents are often dismissed as minor, but the resulting fractures, head trauma, and soft tissue injuries are anything but.

Nighttime Hit and Runs in Dense Neighborhoods

Lower Manhattan, the Meatpacking District, and Washington Heights see elevated pedestrian traffic after dark, when reduced visibility and some impaired driving combine to create serious risk. Without witnesses who can reliably describe the vehicle, the investigation depends heavily on video footage and physical evidence recovered quickly. Evidence disappears fast in Manhattan, early legal involvement preserves what you need.

Delivery Vehicle and Commercial Driver Incidents

Manhattan's density means a constant flow of delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, and commercial drivers. When one of these drivers strikes a pedestrian and flees, the case may involve both individual and corporate liability. GPS records, dispatch logs, and electronic logging device (ELD) data can identify the responsible vehicle and driver. Knowing where to look, and acting before those records are overwritten, is where having an attorney from the start makes a real difference.

Why Going It Alone Is a Mistake in Hit and Run Cases

Hit and run pedestrian cases in Manhattan are among the most legally complex personal injury claims you can bring. The driver may never be found. Multiple insurance policies may apply. And the New York no-fault system adds another layer that most accident victims don't fully understand.

When a driver flees, you generally cannot pursue their liability insurance. That means your recovery depends on other sources: your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from the vehicle that struck you, and in some cases, a claim through MVAIC, a New York State fund specifically designed to compensate pedestrians and other victims who have no other source of recovery.

 Each of these involves separate deadlines, separate documentation requirements, and insurance adjusters whose interests are not aligned with yours. People who handle these claims without representation routinely leave significant compensation on the table, or miss filing deadlines that permanently close the door on recovery.

39+ years of NYC trial experience means Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has worked these systems extensively. The firm knows what documentation insurance carriers require, how to push back on lowball evaluations, and when taking a case to court delivers a better result than accepting what's offered.

Who Is Involved in a Manhattan Hit and Run Pedestrian Claim?

You, the injured pedestrian. Your role is to document everything you can at the scene, or get a trusted person to help if you're physically unable, and to seek immediate medical attention. What you do in the hours and days after the accident directly affects the strength of your claim.

The NYPD. A police report is the foundation of every hit and run claim. NYPD officers will document the scene, gather witness statements, and begin the investigation into the fleeing vehicle. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office may also become involved if the driver is identified and criminal charges are pursued. Cooperation with the police investigation helps your civil claim.

Your no-fault insurer (or the vehicle's insurer). Even as a pedestrian with no vehicle of your own, you may be covered under the no-fault policy of a vehicle involved in the accident, or through a family member's policy. No-fault benefits cover medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, but you must file within 30 days of the accident.

MVAIC. If you have no access to any no-fault insurance policy, New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation may be your primary source of both no-fault benefits and liability compensation. You must file a Notice of Intention with MVAIC promptly to preserve your rights.

Your own uninsured motorist carrier (if applicable). If you own a vehicle with UM coverage, that policy can be used even though you were injured as a pedestrian. UM claims have their own notice requirements and policy-specific procedures.

Expert witnesses. In cases involving disputed injuries or significant damages, accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and, given Michael Gunzburg's CPA background, forensic economists may all contribute to quantifying your losses accurately.

What You Can Recover

A Manhattan hit and run pedestrian accident claim can include compensation for:

• Medical expenses - emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, follow-up treatment, and ongoing or future care needs
• Lost wages - income you couldn't earn while injured and recovering
• Lost earning capacity - if the injuries affect your ability to work at the same level going forward
• Pain and suffering - physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and reduced quality of life
• Permanent injury or disfigurement - compensation for long-term or irreversible physical consequences

Michael Gunzburg's dual credentials as an attorney and CPA are particularly relevant here. Economic damages in serious injury cases, especially those involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or fractures requiring extended rehabilitation, require precise financial modeling, not rough estimates. The CPA background allows the firm to build a damages case that holds up against insurance company scrutiny and, when necessary, in front of a jury.

Cases with serious, documented injuries have led to substantial results. The firm has secured a $3 million settlement in a Manhattan pedestrian crosswalk case and a $2.85 million settlement in another pedestrian accident, demonstrating a track record of fighting for full compensation rather than quick settlements.

Important Deadlines You Cannot Miss

New York's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. Miss that deadline and you lose the right to pursue compensation permanently.

But several other deadlines arrive much sooner:

• 30 days: You must notify your no-fault insurer (or MVAIC, if applicable) within 30 days of the accident to preserve no-fault benefits.
• 90 days: If a government vehicle, city bus, or other municipal entity is involved, you must file a Notice of Claim with the appropriate agency within 90 days. This deadline is strict, missing it typically eliminates the claim against that entity.
• As soon as possible: Surveillance footage from NYPD cameras, private businesses, and traffic systems is routinely overwritten within days to weeks. Witness memories fade. Physical evidence disappears. The sooner an attorney can send preservation notices and begin the investigation, the more you'll have to work with.

New York courts apply a comparative negligence standard, meaning even if you contributed to the accident in some way, you can still recover, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Do not assume that anything you did forfeits your right to a claim.

For more information on New York's hit and run accident laws and rights, New York State's Vehicle and Traffic Law governs the obligations of drivers who are involved in accidents involving injury, and those who flee violate both criminal and civil law.

What Happens After You Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C.

Step 1: Free Case Review

When you call (212) 725-8500, you'll speak directly with someone who can evaluate your situation without any fee or obligation. The firm takes personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, no upfront costs, no fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. The firm commits to a 24-hour callback policy for all inquiries.

Step 2: Immediate Evidence Preservation

Once retained, the firm moves quickly to preserve time-sensitive evidence. This includes sending legal holds to businesses near the accident location, requesting NYPD records, pursuing any available traffic camera footage, and identifying witnesses before memories fade. In Manhattan, this work must happen fast.

Step 3: Filing and Insurance Coordination

The firm handles all required filings, no-fault applications, MVAIC notices, UM claims, to ensure deadlines are met and no potential source of compensation is overlooked. Clients don't need to navigate the paperwork or deal directly with adjusters.

Step 4: Building the Full Damages Picture

Medical records, employment records, and expert evaluations are gathered to construct a complete damages case. Michael Gunzburg's CPA background plays a direct role here, economic losses are calculated with the same precision used in financial analysis, not guesswork.

Step 5: Resolution, Settlement or Trial

Most cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. When insurers offer less than the case is worth, Michael Gunzburg, P.C. is prepared to take the case to trial. Clients have the final say on any settlement, and the firm never pushes a resolution that doesn't serve their interests.

Benefits of Working With a Specialist in Manhattan Hit and Run Cases

You Don't Pay Unless the Firm Wins

The contingency fee structure means anyone can access experienced legal representation regardless of their current financial situation. There's no hourly fee, no retainer, and no bill if the case doesn't result in a recovery.

Every Compensation Source Gets Evaluated

Hit and run claims involve multiple overlapping systems, no-fault, UM, MVAIC, third-party liability if a driver is later identified. Most accident victims don't know all of these exist. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. evaluates every one and pursues all that apply.

Economic Damages Are Built to Hold Up

Insurance companies routinely undervalue future losses, ongoing medical care, diminished earning capacity, the long-term cost of a permanent injury. The firm's CPA credential means those numbers are built with the kind of rigor that insurers and courts take seriously.

Direct Attorney Involvement

Clients consistently describe Michael Gunzburg's accessibility as a defining quality of working with the firm. You're not handed off to a paralegal or a case manager, you have direct access throughout the process.

Key Takeaways

• New York law provides compensation paths for hit and run pedestrian victims even when the driver is never identified, through no-fault coverage, uninsured motorist benefits, and MVAIC.
• The 30-day no-fault filing deadline and the 90-day Notice of Claim requirement for municipal involvement arrive long before the three-year statute of limitations, missing them can forfeit specific recovery channels.
• Surveillance footage in Manhattan is typically overwritten within days; preserving it requires immediate legal action.
• New York's comparative negligence standard allows recovery even if you bear partial responsibility for the accident.
• Michael Gunzburg's dual credentials as an attorney and CPA directly strengthen the economic damages analysis in serious injury cases.

Proven Results and Client Experience

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has been handling New York City personal injury cases for more than 39 years. Relevant results include a $3 million settlement in a Manhattan pedestrian crosswalk case and a $2.85 million settlement in a separate pedestrian accident, both representing the kind of outcome possible when a case is built properly from day one.

Clients regularly describe the experience of working with Michael Gunzburg in terms that go beyond the results. One client wrote: "Michael and his team were very helpful in explaining to me what was involved and what would happen in moving forward through the legal process... He was great; he was always answering emails, phone calls. If I had questions, he always had answers." Another noted: "The personal attention given to me during the whole process was really wonderful. It made me feel special, like I was the only case he had at the moment."

In addition to 39+ years of NYC trial experience, Michael Gunzburg holds membership in the Brooklyn Bar Association referral panel (since 1989), is a Brooklyn Law School graduate, and is admitted to the Appellate Division, Second Department. His dual license as both attorney and CPA is a credential that directly serves clients in cases where economic damages are substantial.

Common Questions About Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents in Manhattan

What should I do immediately after being hit by a car that drove away?

Call 911 right away. Request police and emergency medical services even if you feel okay, injuries from vehicle strikes often appear hours or days later. Stay at the scene if you can, and try to note anything about the vehicle: color, make, direction of travel, or any partial plate number. Ask bystanders if they saw anything and get their contact information. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and your clothing. Do not tell police or anyone else that you are "fine" before you've been medically evaluated. Then call an attorney before speaking with any insurance company.

Can I get compensation if the hit and run driver is never found?

Yes. New York law provides multiple recovery paths that don't depend on identifying the at-fault driver. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can be accessed through your own auto policy or a family member's policy. No-fault (PIP) benefits may cover immediate medical expenses through the vehicle's insurer. If no other coverage applies, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) exists specifically to compensate victims like you. An attorney will evaluate all three and pursue every applicable source.

What is MVAIC and how does it help hit and run victims?

The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation is a New York State organization that pays compensation to accident victims who have no other source of recovery, including pedestrians injured by unidentified or uninsured vehicles. To access MVAIC benefits, you must file a Notice of Intention promptly after the accident. MVAIC handles both no-fault benefits and liability claims. The process has specific procedural requirements, and missing a step can reduce or eliminate your recovery.

How long do I have to file a hit and run pedestrian accident claim in New York?

The general statute of limitations for personal injury in New York is three years from the accident date. However, several shorter deadlines apply. You must notify your no-fault insurer within 30 days. If a government vehicle is involved, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. MVAIC also has its own notice requirements. Waiting to consult an attorney risks losing specific coverage sources even if the three-year window hasn't closed.

What evidence do I need to prove my hit and run case?

Because the at-fault driver may be unknown, physical and digital evidence becomes more important than in a typical accident case. Useful evidence includes: police reports and NYPD investigation findings, surveillance footage from traffic cameras, businesses, and nearby buildings, witness statements and contact information, your medical records documenting injuries and their connection to the accident, photos from the scene, and any clothing or personal items damaged in the impact. An attorney can send legal preservation notices immediately to prevent footage from being deleted.

Will my health insurance cover hit and run pedestrian injuries?

Health insurance may cover some medical costs, but it typically does not replace the full scope of compensation available through a personal injury claim. Health insurance does not pay for lost wages, pain and suffering, or long-term lost earning capacity. New York no-fault benefits have their own coverage for medical expenses and a portion of lost income, separate from health insurance. Pursuing both correctly, without one disrupting the other, is one reason having legal representation early matters.

What if the driver is found after I've already filed a claim?

If law enforcement identifies the hit and run driver after you've filed a no-fault or MVAIC claim, your legal strategy may shift. You may now be able to pursue a liability claim directly against the at-fault driver and their insurer for full damages beyond what no-fault and UM coverage would otherwise provide. This is another reason to have legal representation in place from the beginning, the attorney can adapt the case as new information develops.

Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company has already reached out to me?

Yes, especially then. Insurance adjusters, including those from your own insurer, are trained to minimize payouts. A recorded statement can be used against you. An early settlement offer almost always undervalues your claim, particularly if your injuries require ongoing treatment. Accepting a settlement releases the insurer from further liability. Before you sign anything or give any recorded statement, speak with an attorney.

How much is my Manhattan hit and run pedestrian accident case worth?

The value of a hit and run pedestrian claim depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, the impact on your daily life and future earning capacity, and the available insurance coverage. Serious injuries, traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, significant fractures, typically produce the highest damage values because they create long-term losses that extend far beyond the initial treatment. Michael Gunzburg, P.C.'s CPA background is directly relevant to calculating and proving those long-term economic losses.

What if I was partially at fault, for example, I was crossing mid-block?

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if you were crossing outside a crosswalk, looking at your phone, or in some other way contributing to the accident, you can still recover compensation. Your total damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery entirely. The driver's decision to flee is an independent violation of law that affects the case significantly.

Areas We Serve

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents hit and run pedestrian accident victims throughout Manhattan, including Midtown, the Upper East and Upper West Sides, Hell's Kitchen, Washington Heights, Harlem, the Financial District, and Lower Manhattan. The firm also handles pedestrian accident claims across all five NYC boroughs and in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Whether you were struck near Times Square, along Canal Street, on the FDR Drive access roads, or at a residential intersection in Inwood, the firm serves clients throughout the borough and beyond.

Other Manhattan Pedestrian Accident Services Michael Gunzburg, P.C. Offers

• Manhattan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• NYC Hit and Run Accident Lawyer, General hit and run representation across all five boroughs
• NYC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer, Citywide pedestrian injury representation
• Manhattan Personal Injury Attorney, Full scope of personal injury representation in Manhattan
• Pedestrian Accident Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI claims arising from pedestrian accidents