Hit and Run Accident Attorney in New York City, NY

We help identify fleeing drivers and recover full compensation.

Hit & Run Accident Attorney Michael Gunzburg

What Our Clients Say

Who Needs a Hit and Run Accident Attorney in New York City?

You need a hit and run accident attorney if a driver struck you and fled the scene, leaving you with injuries, property damage, or both. These cases require immediate legal action because evidence disappears fast and New York imposes strict deadlines for reporting and filing claims.

Common situations include being rear-ended by a driver who speeds away, getting struck as a pedestrian in a crosswalk by a fleeing vehicle, finding your parked car damaged with no note left behind, or suffering injuries as a cyclist when a motorist leaves after hitting you. Hit and run accidents happen throughout New York City, from busy Manhattan intersections to residential Brooklyn streets to highway crashes in Queens.

Whether you're a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist, we serve clients across all five boroughs who need help recovering compensation when the at-fault party has vanished.

Common Situations We Handle

Driver Flees After Rear-End Collision

A vehicle strikes you from behind at a red light or in stop-and-go traffic, then drives away before you can exchange information. These crashes often cause whiplash, back injuries, and vehicle damage.

Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident

You're crossing the street legally when a driver strikes you and continues driving without stopping. Pedestrian hit and run accidents frequently result in broken bones, head trauma, and other serious injuries.

Parked Vehicle Hit and Run

You return to your parked car to find significant damage but no note from the other driver. This scenario leaves you wondering how to pay for repairs and whether your insurance rates will increase.

Bicycle Hit and Run

A motorist hits you while you're riding in a bike lane or on the road, then leaves the scene. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable and often suffer severe injuries in these crashes.

Side-Swipe and Flee Incidents

Another vehicle scrapes the side of your car on a highway or busy street, causing you to lose control or sustain damage, but the driver doesn't stop.

Late-Night or Early Morning Crashes

Hit and run accidents are more common during hours when there are fewer witnesses and drivers may be impaired, intoxicated, or driving without a license or insurance.

Why Do You Need to Hire a Hit and Run Accident Attorney?

Handling a hit and run claim without legal representation puts you at a significant disadvantage. Insurance companies will try to minimize or deny your claim, even when you're entitled to coverage under your own policy. They may argue you didn't report the accident quickly enough, question whether a hit and run actually occurred, or claim your injuries aren't as severe as you state.

Without an attorney, you might miss important deadlines for reporting to police, filing insurance claims, or pursuing MVAIC benefits. You could accept a settlement that doesn't cover your full medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many victims don't realize they have multiple sources of potential compensation beyond just finding the fleeing driver.

An experienced hit and run accident attorney investigates immediately to locate witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and identify the at-fault driver while that evidence still exists. We handle all communication with your insurance company, file the necessary claims within required timeframes, and pursue every available source of recovery. With 39+ years of trial experience and multimillion-dollar verdicts, we know how to prove your case and maximize your compensation. Insurance companies take us seriously because they know we're prepared to go to court if they don't offer fair settlements.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Multiple parties may be responsible for compensating you after a hit and run accident. The fleeing driver bears primary responsibility if we can identify them through license plate information, witness descriptions, surveillance cameras, or police investigation. Many hit and run drivers are eventually located, and when that happens, they face both civil liability and criminal charges.

Your own insurance company may be liable through your uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage, which you likely already pay for as part of your auto insurance policy. This coverage exists specifically to protect you when the at-fault driver can't be identified or doesn't have adequate insurance.

The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) provides compensation when the at-fault driver remains unidentified and you don't have your own uninsured motorist coverage. MVAIC is a New York State fund designed to help victims of hit and run accidents and accidents involving uninsured drivers.

In some cases, other parties may share responsibility, such as a bar or restaurant that overserved a drunk driver who then fled after hitting you, an employer whose delivery driver fled after a crash during work hours, or a vehicle owner who allowed someone without a license to drive their car.

We investigate all potential sources of recovery and pursue every party who may be responsible for compensating you.

What You May Be Entitled To Recover or Achieve

After a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to recover several types of compensation depending on the severity of your injuries and the facts of your case. Medical expenses include emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and future medical care you'll need because of your injuries.

Lost wages cover the income you've already missed from work, plus lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn money in the future. Property damage compensation pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.

Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life you experience because of your injuries. Permanent disability or disfigurement compensation accounts for lasting effects like scarring, loss of mobility, or chronic pain that affects your daily activities and relationships.

If your injuries meet New York's serious injury threshold, which includes death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fractures, permanent loss of a body organ or function, or a non-permanent injury preventing you from performing usual activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the crash, you can pursue full compensation including pain and suffering.

The goal is to make you whole again financially, even though the person who hurt you has disappeared.

Important Deadlines and Legal Rules

Hit and run accidents involve some of the strictest deadlines in personal injury law, and missing them can permanently destroy your right to compensation. You must report the hit and run to police immediately or within 24 hours at the latest. The police report creates official documentation of the incident and starts the investigation to locate the fleeing driver.

If you plan to file a MVAIC claim, you generally have 90 days from the date of the accident to submit your application. This deadline is firm, and MVAIC will deny claims filed after this window closes.

For insurance claims under your own uninsured motorist coverage, you typically must notify your insurance company within 30 days of the accident, though policies vary. Review your policy and report the accident as soon as possible.

If you're filing a personal injury lawsuit against a private defendant (if the driver is identified), you have three years from the date of the accident. However, if a New York City vehicle like an NYPD car, sanitation truck, or MTA bus was involved, you must file a Notice of Claim within just 90 days and file your lawsuit within one year and 90 days.

You must also file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report (Form MV-104) with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or if property damage exceeds $1,000.

These deadlines are not negotiable. The sooner you contact an attorney after a hit and run, the better we can protect your rights, preserve evidence, and meet every deadline that applies to your case.

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Step 1: Free Consultation and Case Evaluation

We listen to your story, review what happened during the hit and run, and explain your legal options at no cost. You'll understand what compensation you may be entitled to recover and how we'll pursue it.

Step 2: Immediate Investigation

We act fast to locate witnesses, obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, visit the accident scene to look for evidence, and work with police to identify the fleeing driver. Evidence disappears quickly, so we start this process immediately.

Step 3: Filing All Necessary Claims

We handle all paperwork and deadlines for police reports, insurance claims with your own carrier, MVAIC applications if applicable, and any other required filings. You won't have to worry about missing a deadline or filling out forms incorrectly.

Step 4: Pursuing Maximum Compensation

We identify every available source of recovery, whether that's the fleeing driver once located, your uninsured motorist coverage, MVAIC, or other responsible parties. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and prepare your case for trial if they won't offer fair compensation.

Step 5: Keeping You Informed

We communicate with you regularly about the status of your case, explain what's happening at each stage, and answer your questions. You'll never feel left in the dark about your own case.

Benefits of Working With a Hit and Run Accident Attorney

Access to Multiple Sources of Compensation

Most people don't realize they can recover compensation even when the driver who hit them is never found. We pursue your own insurance coverage, MVAIC benefits, and any other available sources to maximize your recovery.

Thorough Investigation to Identify the Driver

We use every available tool to track down the fleeing driver, including working with police, obtaining surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and hiring private investigators when necessary. Many hit and run drivers are eventually identified, and we make sure that happens in your case if possible.

Protection From Insurance Company Tactics

Your own insurance company will try to pay as little as possible even though you've been paying premiums for years. We handle all communication with them, push back on unfair denials, and fight for the full value of your coverage.

Meeting Critical Deadlines

The complex web of deadlines in hit and run cases can be overwhelming, but we track every single one and make sure your claims are filed on time. This protects your right to compensation.

Trial-Ready Representation

Insurance companies know we have 39+ years of courtroom experience and a proven track record of multimillion-dollar verdicts. This makes them more likely to offer fair settlements because they know we're willing and prepared to take your case to trial.

Proven Results & Client Experience

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has recovered multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for accident victims throughout New York City for over 39 years. Our experience includes $3 million for a pedestrian struck in a Manhattan crosswalk, $2.85 million for a Bronx pedestrian hit by a bus, and $1.025 million jury verdict for a bicyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit bus.

Attorney Michael Gunzburg is licensed to practice in New York since 1987 and admitted to the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, and U.S. District Court District of New Jersey. He is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, American Association of Justice, and Brooklyn Bar Association, and has served on the legal referral panel for the Brooklyn Bar Association since 1989.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. This allows you to get experienced legal representation without worrying about upfront costs while you're already dealing with medical bills and lost wages.

Common Questions About Hit and Run Accidents

What should I do immediately after a hit and run accident?

Call 911 immediately to report the accident and get medical help if you're injured. Try to remember and write down any details about the fleeing vehicle, including make, model, color, license plate (even partial), direction of travel, and any distinguishing features. Look for witnesses and get their contact information. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and any debris left behind. Do not leave the scene yourself, as this could create legal problems. Report the hit and run to your insurance company as soon as possible, typically within 24 to 30 days depending on your policy.

Can I still recover compensation if the driver is never found?

Yes, you can still recover compensation even if the fleeing driver is never identified. You may have coverage under your own auto insurance policy's uninsured motorist provision, which you likely already pay for. If you don't have your own coverage or it's insufficient, you can file a claim with the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), a New York State fund that compensates victims of hit and run accidents and crashes involving uninsured drivers. MVAIC provides up to $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident when multiple people are hurt. While these amounts may not cover all your damages, they provide some recovery when the at-fault driver can't be found.

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

Deadlines vary depending on which type of claim you're filing. For MVAIC claims, you generally have 90 days from the date of the accident to file your application. For claims under your own uninsured motorist coverage, you typically must notify your insurance company within 30 days, though policies vary. If the fleeing driver is identified and you want to file a lawsuit against them, you have three years from the date of the accident. However, if a government vehicle was involved, you may have as little as 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Don't wait to contact an attorney because these deadlines are strict and missing them can destroy your right to compensation.

What if I only have liability insurance and no uninsured motorist coverage?

If you only carry liability insurance without uninsured motorist coverage, you can still file a claim with MVAIC. This is exactly why MVAIC exists, to help victims who don't have their own coverage when the at-fault driver can't be identified or doesn't have insurance. You may also be able to make a claim under a family member's uninsured motorist coverage if you live in the same household. We'll review all available options during your free consultation.

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

Under New York law, insurance companies are not supposed to raise your rates for filing an uninsured motorist claim when you were not at fault. However, some insurers may try to increase your premiums anyway, which is why having an attorney who knows your rights is valuable. We make sure your insurance company treats you fairly and doesn't penalize you for being the victim of a crime.

What if the police don't take my hit and run seriously?

Unfortunately, police resources are limited and not all hit and run investigations receive the attention they deserve, especially if there are no serious injuries. This is why having a private attorney is so important. We can conduct our own investigation, hire private investigators, review surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and pursue leads the police may not have time to follow. We've successfully identified fleeing drivers in cases where police investigations stalled.

Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes, New York follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're found 20% at fault for a hit and run accident because you were slightly speeding, and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. You can recover something as long as you're not 100% at fault.

What if the hit and run driver only caused property damage with no injuries?

You can still pursue compensation for property damage through your insurance company's collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage. However, the process and available compensation differ from injury cases. We can review your policy and help you navigate the claims process to get your vehicle repaired or replaced.

How much is my hit and run accident case worth?

The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical expenses (past and future), your lost wages and lost earning capacity, the degree of permanent disability or disfigurement, the impact on your quality of life, and whether your injuries meet New York's serious injury threshold. With 39+ years of experience, we know how to accurately value claims and fight for maximum compensation. We'll review the specific facts of your case during your free consultation.

Do I really need a lawyer for a hit and run accident?

While you can technically file claims yourself, hit and run cases are particularly complicated. You're dealing with multiple potential sources of compensation, strict deadlines, insurance companies that will try to deny or minimize your claim, and the need to investigate and potentially identify the fleeing driver. An experienced attorney knows how to navigate this complexity, meet every deadline, and maximize your recovery. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win, which means there's no financial risk in having professional representation.

Areas We Serve Clients

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents hit and run accident victims throughout New York City. We serve clients in Manhattan neighborhoods including the Upper East Side, Midtown, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Financial District. In Brooklyn, we help residents of Williamsburg, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, and Bedford-Stuyvesant. Our Queens clients come from Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, and Forest Hills.

We also serve The Bronx communities including Riverdale, Fordham, and Pelham Bay, as well as Staten Island neighborhoods like St. George, New Dorp, and Tottenville. Wherever you are in New York City, we're here to help you recover compensation after a hit and run accident.

Other Personal Injury Services We Offer

If you've been injured in any type of accident in New York City, Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles a full range of personal injury cases:

• Car Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Uninsured Motorist Claims
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Truck Accidents