Were you injured in a hit-and-run accident in Syracuse, New York, and wondering how you can recover compensation? A Syracuse hit and run accident lawyer at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC can help you understand your rights and take steps to pursue compensation even if the other driver who caused the crash cannot be found. Contact us today at (315) 500-6425 to schedule a free consultation.
Our legal team at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC brings over 50 years of combined experience and has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients in Syracuse, NY, and the surrounding area. We understand how stressful a hit-and-run accident can be and work to guide you through the process while protecting your right to seek compensation.
A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling helpless and with immense uncertainty about what’s to come. However, it’s important to seek legal advice from a Syracuse personal injury lawyer before you give up hope; New York has unique laws that may come to your aid in circumstances like these.
Passalacqua & Associates takes these cases personally and is ready to get started on yours as soon as you are.
When you hire our Syracuse car accident lawyers, we can:
Our Syracuse hit and run accident attorneys work on contingency, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we recover money for you. Call or message us today to set up your free case review.
New York is a “no-fault” car insurance state. This means that after an accident, you will typically turn to your own insurance policy first for coverage of medical expenses and lost wages through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. This applies regardless of who caused the crash, including situations where the other driver leaves the scene.
However, PIP coverage has limits. It does not compensate you for pain and suffering, and the available benefits may not fully cover your losses after a serious accident.
If your injuries meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d), or if your losses exceed your PIP coverage, you may be able to pursue additional compensation outside of the no-fault system.
In cases where the driver who hit you is eventually identified, you can file a claim against their liability insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them directly. Hit-and-run is a crime in New York, and a criminal investigation may help identify the driver.
If the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can also step in. New York requires all auto insurance policies to include UM coverage, which can help fill the gap when PIP isn’t enough and there’s no at-fault driver’s policy to go after.
The compensation you may be entitled to after a hit and run will depend on the severity of your injuries and the specific facts of your case. In general, New York law allows accident victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages account for the financial impact of the accident, including:
Non-economic damages address the personal toll the accident has taken on your life, such as:
Punitive damages may be awarded as well, but only in rare cases that make it all the way to trial. These damages are meant to punish the defendant for especially egregious misconduct.
In most New York personal injury cases, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. New York’s no-fault system may affect how you first seek benefits, but it does not eliminate the deadline for filing a personal injury action if you qualify to bring one.
Deadlines can become more complicated in some situations, including claims involving government entities or cases with unusual facts. Because waiting too long can prevent you from recovering compensation, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a hit-and-run accident.
Being the victim of a hit and run in Syracuse, NY, is a stressful experience, but you don’t have to navigate the aftermath without a trusted legal advocate on your side. Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, can handle your claim from start to finish and work to put as much money into your pocket as possible.
Our Syracuse hit and run accident attorneys have already recovered millions for our clients and will bring that same level of dedication to your case if you hire us. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC provides legal representation for individuals facing personal injuries and criminal charges. Our attorneys offer compassionate guidance and aggressive strategies, and we’re committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. We’ll protect your rights and navigate legal complexities on your behalf.
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC proudly serves clients in Utica, Syracuse, and the surrounding upstate New York communities. We are dedicated to providing accessible and effective legal services to those in need of experienced personal injury and criminal defense representation within these regions.