A hit-and-run accident can often feel like a dead end, legally speaking. You are hurt, your car is wrecked, and the person responsible is gone. Most people assume this means they have to pay for all the damage caused on their own. However, with the help of Rosenberg & Gluck you have options when it comes to recovering compensation that fully reflects the harm you’ve suffered.
As Long Island hit and run lawyers, we level that playing field in the fight for justice. We stop the insurance carrier from treating you like a liability and ensure the coverage you have paid for is actually available to you. If you are hurt and unsure where to turn, we can help.
Contact us online or call our New York personal injury law firm at (631) 451-7900 for a free consultation to explore your legal rights and options.
Injured in a Hit-and-Run? You Still Have Legal Options.
Long Island Hit and Run Guide
- Why Choose Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP?
- What Compensation Can I Recover After a Hit-and-Run in New York?
- How We Prove Your Hit And Run Case In Long Island
- Why Hit And Run Accidents Are Uniquely Difficult On Long Island
- Dealing With Insurance Companies (The Conflict Of Interest)
- Long Island Hit And Run Accidents FAQ
- Contact a Long Island Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Today For A Free Case Evaluation
Why Choose Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP?
A Legacy On Long Island
Ted Rosenberg, a Suffolk County native, and Michael Gluck founded this firm in 1996 in Holtsville. For over 25 years, we have served this community. Our practice focuses exclusively on personal injury law.This singular focus allows us to stay current on the specific statutes that affect accident victims in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Resources That Matter In Hit And Run Cases
Standard car accidents have known parties, but hit-and-run cases require extensive work to identify and hold liable parties accountable for their negligence. We partner with professionals to track down surveillance footage, locate witnesses, and follow vehicle leads. This investigation must happen quickly because evidence is frequently overwritten or lost within days.
Local Presence
With four offices across Long Island—Holtsville, Riverhead, Garden City, and Patchogue—we are typically just a short drive from you. We have a track record of recovering millions of dollars for our clients, which has earned us the respect of defense attorneys and insurance adjusters alike.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Hit-and-Run in New York?
Compensation in a hit-and-run case is generally divided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. These damages address both the financial costs of the accident and the personal toll it has taken on your life.
Economic damages cover the tangible expenses and losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident. In New York, your initial medical bills and lost wages are typically covered by your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, up to $50,000 under most basic policies. However, serious injuries often exceed this limit.
Our attorneys help you pursue additional compensation for:
- Past and future medical costs: This includes surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and other treatments that go beyond the no-fault limit.
- Lost earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your career or force you into a lower-paying role, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you’ve lost and will continue to lose.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: This includes costs for transportation to medical appointments, household help, or other necessary services related to your recovery.
While economic damages address the bills, non-economic damages compensate you for the human cost of the accident. These damages recognize the ways the crash has affected your quality of life and emotional well-being. You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering: This accounts for the physical discomfort and chronic pain caused by your injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If you can no longer participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities you once loved, this type of compensation may apply.
- Mental anguish: Hit-and-run accidents are often traumatic, leading to anxiety, depression, or PTSD related to driving or being on the road.
At Rosenberg & Gluck, we work tirelessly to document the full scope of your losses—both financial and personal—so that your claim reflects the true impact of the accident on your life.
What If I Am Partially At Fault?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you were speeding slightly when the other driver hit you, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Our job is to present evidence that accurately reflects the circumstances of the accident and minimizes your liability. We conduct thorough investigations, gather witness statements, and work with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
How We Prove Your Hit And Run Case In Long Island
Proving a case without a defendant driver requires specific legal hurdles. We must establish that an accident occurred and that it was caused by another party, even if that party is absent.
Our hit and run car accident lawyers start by helping verify the physical evidence of crash contact, such as paint transfer, dents, or scuffs, to satisfy this legal requirement. This distinction is one of the main reasons why legal representation is helpful early in the process.
Depending on the facts of your case, we will pursue compensation from one of three sources:
- The At-Fault Driver: If our investigators or the police locate the driver, we file a standard liability claim against their insurance.
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If the driver remains unknown, your own policy steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver. You are effectively using your own policy for the benefits you paid for.
- MVAIC: If you are a pedestrian or cyclist with no auto insurance in your household, we file through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation. Strict deadlines apply here.
To prove your case, we need to move fast. We will look for:
- Video Surveillance: Ring doorbells, gas station cameras, and traffic light cameras capture crucial footage. However, many systems overwrite data in as little as 48 to 72 hours.
- Witness Canvassing: We look for people who may have seen the license plate, the make and model of the car, or the direction the driver fled.
- Debris Analysis: In some cases, parts left at the scene, such as a side mirror or bumper fragment, are matched to a specific vehicle model.
Locating potentially liable parties and the strong evidence needed to support your claim can be challenging while suffering from catastrophic accident injuries. Let our Long Island hit and run attorneys help you build a strong case that supports your claim for the maximum recovery allowable under the law.
What Types of Injuries Can You Be Compensated For in a Hit and Run Accident?
Hit-and-run car accidents can happen at high speeds, leaving victims with severe injuries. We frequently handle cases involving:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Whiplash and severe neck injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
While New York Insurance Law § 5102(d) maintains a serious injury threshold to recover damages for pain and suffering, these injuries typically qualify for compensation as economic damages. If you are concerned that your settlement offer does not account for the full scope of physical or psychological harm you've suffered, contact our Long Island personal injury law firm today.
Start Your Path to Compensation Today.
Why Hit And Run Accidents Are Uniquely Difficult On Long Island
Long Island’s geography creates a unique environment for these accidents. We are an island with limited entry and exit points, forcing millions of cars onto a few main arteries like the Long Island Expressway (I-495), the Northern State Parkway, and the Southern State Parkway.
This heavy congestion leads to frustration and aggressive driving. When a collision happens, panic sets in. A driver might flee because they are uninsured, unlicensed, or under the influence, hoping to avoid criminal charges under New York Vehicle & Traffic Law § 600.
The Parking Lot Hit And Run
We also see a high frequency of incidents in massive retail hubs like the Roosevelt Field Mall or Tanger Outlets. In these chaotic environments, drivers frequently back into parked cars or strike pedestrians and leave the scene to avoid rising insurance premiums.
Specific Hotspots
Certain areas are notoriously dangerous:
- Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road have high-speed intersections mixed with heavy pedestrian foot traffic.
- The Long Island Expressway is another common site; shoulders are typically unsafe, and accidents happen at high speeds. Drivers may flee simply because stopping feels too dangerous or they fear the consequences of a major crash.
If you were hit in these or other similar areas, don't hesitate to contact our firm to immediately begin the legal process of recovering full and fair compensation. We are dedicated to your recovery and wont stop fighting till you have recovered the maximum payout you may be eligible for under the law.
Pedestrian & Cyclist Vulnerability
Many roads on Long Island, such as Route 25 or Route 110, were designed primarily for cars, not people. Lighting is frequently poor at night. This makes it easy for a driver to hit a pedestrian, claim they "didn't see them," or flee into the darkness. In these cases, the victim is left incredibly vulnerable.
Dealing With Insurance Companies (The Conflict Of Interest)
When you file a hit-and-run claim, your relationship with your insurance company changes. Usually, your insurer acts as a shield against other drivers. In a UM claim, they effectively become the bank.
This creates a conflict of interest. Your own insurance company now has a financial incentive to question the extent of your injuries or argue that the accident was your fault to some degree.
Structural Realities Of Insurance Adjusters
Adjusters are simply professionals operating within a business structure. They must balance paying out fair claims with maintaining profitability. To do this, they typically use standardized software to evaluate claims. These programs calculate value based on data points but frequently fail to account for the specific human element of your pain and suffering.
Furthermore, adjusters are trained negotiators handling hundreds of cases a year. You are likely dealing with this process for the first time. This information asymmetry puts you at a disadvantage. Here is what to look out for:
- The Recorded Statement Request: Adjusters may ask for a recorded account of the accident immediately. Anything you say is often used to deny physical contact or pin fault on you.
- Quick Settlement Offers: Offers made days after the accident—before you know if you need surgery—are usually lower than the true value of the case. Do not accept any offer before consulting with an attorney.
- Requesting Access to All Medical Records: They may attempt to access your entire medical history to argue that your back pain is from an old injury rather than the recent crash.
When you hire us, we take over all communication with the adjuster to ensure your right to compensation is protected. If you are struggling to get the insurance company to act fairly, speak to our hit and run accident lawyers in New York to learn how we may be able to assist.
Long Island Hit And Run Accidents FAQ
How long do I have to file a police report for a hit and run in NY?
You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours. This is a strict requirement to be eligible for MVAIC benefits and is generally required extremely quickly for Uninsured Motorist claims as well. Delaying the police report is one of the most common reasons legitimate claims are denied.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim?
Generally, New York insurance regulations prohibit surcharges for accidents where you were not at fault. However, proving that you were not at fault is key. If the insurance company cannot verify the other driver's negligence, disputes can arise. We help establish the facts to protect your record.
What if I didn't get the license plate number?
You can still file a claim. This is exactly what Uninsured Motorist coverage is designed for. We use other evidence—such as vehicle damage, witness statements, and police reports—to corroborate that a hit-and-run occurred.
Can I claim compensation if I was a pedestrian hit by a car that fled?
Yes. If you have auto insurance, your own policy generally covers you even when you are walking. If neither you nor anyone in your household has insurance, MVAIC provides a safety net for qualified persons. We can help you determine which coverage applies to you.
What if the police find the driver later?
If the driver is located, the claim shifts. We will file a liability claim against their insurance carrier. If they turn out to be uninsured, the claim reverts to your UM coverage. If they are underinsured, we may pursue your SUM coverage.
Contact a Long Island Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Today For A Free Case Evaluation
You generally do not have to pay out of pocket for someone else’s recklessness. There are mechanisms in place to ensure your medical bills are covered and you are compensated for your pain.
However, these claims have strict technical requirements. The deadline to file certain forms with MVAIC is just 90 days. Police reports must be filed within 24 hours, and evidence such as camera footage disappears within days. You need a partner who understands these timelines.
Our Long Island hit and run accident attorneys handle the paperwork, the investigation, and the insurance adjusters so you can focus on healing. Contact Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP online or at (631) 451-7900 to discuss your options.