What to Do After a Hit and Run in New York (Attorney Step-by-Step Guide)

By Vincent C. Loiodice, Attorney at Law

A NY hit and run is one of the most stressful and infuriating types of accidents. One second you’re driving or walking, and the next you’re injured — while the person who caused the crash speeds away without taking responsibility.

The good news: New York law gives hit-and-run victims strong protections, and you may still be able to recover full compensation even if the other driver is never found.

Here’s exactly what to do immediately after a hit and run to protect your health, your rights, and your case.

🚨 Step 1: Call 911 Immediately After a NY Hit and Run

In New York, you must report a hit and run as soon as possible. When police arrive, give them:

• The direction the vehicle fled

• Color, make, or model of the car

• Partial or full license plate (if you saw it)

• Description of the driver (if possible)

• Any witnesses nearby

Police will file an official report — a critical document that strengthens your injury claim.

📸 Step 2: Take Photos and Video

Even if the other driver fled, scene evidence still matters.

Take photos of:

• Your vehicle damage

• The roadway

• Skid marks or debris

• Your injuries

• Traffic lights, signs, cameras, and intersections

• Surrounding businesses (many have surveillance footage)

Video is especially useful for showing location and conditions.

👀 Step 3: Look for Witnesses or Nearby Cameras

Hit and run claims are often solved with:

• Witness descriptions

• Security footage

• Doorbell cameras

• Side-street or intersection cameras

• Storefront cameras

Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash. Even a short statement can make or break your case.

⏱ Step 4: Get Medical Care Right Away

Go to a hospital or urgent care immediately, even if you think you’re “okay.”
Hit-and-run victims often suffer:

• Whiplash

• Back or neck injuries

• Concussions

• Knee injuries

• Broken bones

• Soft-tissue damage

Delays in medical care give insurance companies an excuse to deny your claim.
A quick evaluation creates a medical record tying your injuries to the accident.

📝 Step 5: Notify Your Own Insurance Company

DO NOT describe the accident in detail.
Just report:

• That you were the victim of a hit and run

• The date, time, and location

• Basic physical and vehicle damage

Let your attorney handle all further communication — insurers often try to twist your words.

🛡 Step 6: Understand NY’s Special Insurance Rules for Hit and Run Victims

Even if the driver is never found, NY hit and run victims can still recover benefits through No-Fault insurance and UM coverage:

✔ No-Fault Insurance Covers Your Medical Bills

Your own car insurance pays for:

• Medical treatment

• Lost wages

• Some household expenses

This applies even in hit and runs.

✔ UM Coverage (Uninsured Motorist)

If the hit-and-run driver is never found, they are considered uninsured, and your UM coverage can pay for pain and suffering.

This is a major protection for NY drivers.

✔ MVAIC (For People Without Insurance)

If you do not have your own car insurance, New York has a special fund where you can file a claim — MVAIC — that can cover:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

There are deadlines for applying, so call an attorney immediately.

⚠️ Step 7: Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement Without a Lawyer

Insurance companies will ask:

• “How fast were you going?”

• “Could you have avoided the crash?”

• “Are you sure it was a hit and run?”

These questions are designed to blame YOU, even though you did nothing wrong.

Tell them politely:
“My attorney will follow up.”

⚖️ Step 8: Contact a New York Hit and Run Attorney Immediately

Hit and run cases are some of the most complex, and evidence disappears fast.
An attorney can:

• Obtain surveillance footage before it’s deleted

• Track down witnesses

• Work with police investigators

• Prove the crash happened as you reported

• File your UM claim

• Negotiate with insurance adjusters

• Fight to get you full compensation

The sooner you get help, the stronger your case becomes.

🏁 Final Thoughts

A hit and run can leave you scared, frustrated, and overwhelmed. But you are not powerless — New York law provides multiple pathways to compensation, and an experienced attorney can guide you through each step.

If you were injured in a hit and run, don’t wait.
Your rights — and your recovery — depend on what you do next.