Hit-and-Run Car Accident Lawyer

If you’re on this page, it might be because you’re looking for help after a hit-and-run accident. We understand how overwhelming, confusing, and painful this time can be, especially when you don’t know the identity of the person who caused the crash.

The good news is that you’ve come to the right place. Even when the other driver flees the scene, you still have the right to recover money for your pain, suffering, and losses. We’ve been handling car accident cases in New York and New Jersey for over 40 years, and we know how to win. Even if you or the police can not identify the driver and owner of the car that left the scene of the accident the good new is that you likely are insured for both property damage and personal injury as part of your auto insurance or the car insurance covering the vehicle you were in at the time of the collision. In fact, even if there was no contact between your car and another, for example, if you were cut off and hit the guardrail, you still can bring a claim as part of your Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage.

Why Choose Our Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorneys?

The choice of attorney following a serious accident or injury is a very important one. You deserve a law firm that has a successful record of winning results. You deserve to hire an attorney backed by 25 injury lawyers with experience winning at trial.  You deserve lawyers who will show up for you at trial and not just on as many billboards as they can.

Our New Jersey car accident lawyers have been representing victims of car accidents since 1981. We’ve helped over 35,000 families in New York and New Jersey win combined settlements and verdicts in excess of  $1 billion. We’re proud to say that over 98 percent of our clients receive a verdict or settlement.  If you do not win any money in your case, because the defendant was uninsured or you lost your trial, you won’t owe us any money. We only get paid if we recover money for you. With more than 100 employees, we have the resources necessary to investigate your hit-and-run claim and fight for the money you deserve. We do not represent insurance companies. We only represent people like you.

But you need to decide to hire a lawyer to investigate and prosecute your hit-and-run case. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family and how you can hire us with no money down and on a contingent legal fee basis. There’s no charge for the consultation, and we’re happy to meet with you in person or virtually via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. If English is not your preferred language, we have Spanish speakers onsite and offer translations for Korean, Polish, Italian, Albanian, Russian, Portuguese, and many more.

Hit-and-Runs in New Jersey

With many highways and urban areas, hit-and-run accidents are common in New Jersey.  There are many reasons why these reckless drivers don’t stop.

Here are just a few:

• The hit-and-run driver was uninsured at the time.
• The driver that left the accident scene was drunk or high on drugs
• The careless driver was on the suspended list or their license was revoked
• The negligent driver was driving a stolen car and did not want to go to jail
• The fleeing driver was an illegal or undocumented alien
• The driver did not want his insurance to go up
• The careless driver panicked and did not know what to do
• There was a warrant out for the negligent driver for not paying their child support
• The irresponsible driver did not want additional points on their license
• The at-fault driver was afraid they would get fired by their boss
• Or, they just did not realize they caused an accident

Here is the good news. Even if their identity is not found,  you still have a right to be paid by either your household auto insurance policy or through a special New Jersey program called PLIGA that is provided by the State of New Jersey when someone is injured by an uninsured driver, or by a driver that left the scene of an accident. PLIGA also gives those with no car insurance medical coverage and additional benefits even if you were injured as a pedestrian crossing a street at the time of the accident.

Is It Illegal to Flee the Scene of an Accident?

Yes. Fleeing the scene of an accident, also known as a hit and run, is illegal in New Jersey. N.J.S.A. 39:4-129 requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop immediately. The law also requires hit-and-run drivers to:

• Provide their name, address, driver’s license, and registration information to injured victims, law enforcement officers, witnesses, and the occupants of any other vehicles involved in the crash
• Render reasonable assistance to anyone in apparent need of medical treatment

Failure to abide by the New Jersey hit-and-run law can result in criminal and civil penalties. However, these cases can be challenging to pursue because the responsible driver may not be readily identified or located. A skilled attorney can employ several strategies to find the hit-and-run motorist.

What Are the Penalties for Fleeing the Scene of an Accident?

Hit and run is a serious offense that carries significant penalties under New Jersey law. The exact penalties vary depending on the circumstances of the accident, such as whether there were injuries or fatalities.

For Accidents Involving Property Damage Only

If the accident only involves property damage, the state considers the incident a traffic violation. The penalties for a first offense can include a fine of $200 to $400, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both. In addition, the driver may face a driver’s license suspension of six months. Penalties become harsher with subsequent convictions.

For Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death

A hit-and-run car accident becomes a felony if someone suffers an injury or dies. In these cases, the penalties can be much more severe. The driver could face a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both. They may also lose their driver’s license for one year for a hit-and-run felony. If the driver is involved in a subsequent hit-and-run accident, they could face permanent revocation of their driver’s license.

Aside from these penalties, a hit-and-run driver could face civil liability for the harm they caused. An injured victim could file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver, demanding compensation for losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering in some instances. A trusted hit-and-run accident attorney can determine whether you can sue after carefully reviewing the facts of your case.

What Money Can I Receive After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

The aftermath of a hit-and-run accident can leave victims with severe bodily injuries, emotional trauma, and substantial financial burdens. Understanding the money damages you may be eligible to recover from a hit-and-run claim is crucial during this time.

A successful hit-and-run injury claim can include money for:

• Medical bills – This includes reimbursement for ambulance rides, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitative therapies, medical equipment, and any future medical care related to the accident. These costs can quickly add up, making this a significant part of many hit-and-run claims.
• Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working, you could be reimbursed for your lost income. This category also includes any decrease in earning potential due to long-term or permanent injuries.
• Pain and suffering – Accident victims can recover money for their physical pain and emotional distress from their injuries. While these losses are more subjective than medical bills or lost wages, an experienced hit-and-run lawyer can help place a dollar figure on pain and suffering.
• Lost enjoyment of life – Sometimes, a hit-and-run injury prevents victims from participating in activities or hobbies they previously enjoyed. Damages for lost enjoyment of life addresses this loss.
• Property damage – If the accident damaged your vehicle or other personal property, you could receive reimbursement for repair or replacement costs.
• Punitive damages – In rare cases, punitive damages may apply if the at-fault party’s actions were reckless or malicious. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Every hit-and-run case is unique. The amount of money you may be entitled to depends on the circumstances of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the terms of your car insurance policy.

What Sources of Money Are There for Hit-and-Run Victims?

Understanding how to seek money damages after a hit-and-run accident can be challenging. It is essential to familiarize yourself with your options.

New Jersey is a no-fault state for auto insurance, meaning a car accident victim’s medical bills and other losses are paid through their own insurance company even before learning the identity of the hit-and-run driver. But what happens if you can’t find the at-fault driver? Here’s what you need to know:

If law enforcement locates the driver responsible for the hit and run, an attorney can help you seek money from your no-fault insurer up to your policy limits. Remember, even though there may be insurance found, you still have to prove that the fleeing driver was at fault and negligent and that the collision was not your fault. Having an experienced hit-and-run car accident lawyer who can aggressively fight for every penny you deserve is crucial. If you sustain serious injuries, an attorney may also file a hit-and-run insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Sometimes, despite the best efforts of law enforcement, the at-fault driver may remain at large or be uninsured. In such cases, injured people need to start the process by notifying their own insurance policy of their intention of making an insurance claim under the uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage health insurance benefits.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)

UM coverage protects victims when the at-fault party is either unknown or lacks adequate auto insurance. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other associated costs. The terms and coverage limits of UM policies can vary, and the claims process can be complicated. An experienced hit-and-run attorney can help you navigate any challenges that arise.

Personal Injury Protection Coverage (PIP)

In New Jersey, PIP coverage is mandatory for all automobile insurance policies. This is your no-fault coverage paying your medical bills and other benefits regardless of who was at fault in the accident. It can cover your doctor and hospital bills,  lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses when you file a hit-and-run insurance claim.

Health Insurance

If other sources of compensation are insufficient to cover the cost of your medical treatment, your health insurance policy may cover these costs. However, depending upon the type of health insurance, the carrier may seek reimbursement from any settlement or award you receive from other sources of compensation. The same works for Medicare and Medicaid. They are to be repaid a portion of the medical bills paid on your behalf out of your portion of a settlement.

Having a competent hit-and-run accident attorney is essential in all these scenarios. A lawyer can explain the various avenues of compensation open to you, negotiate vigorously with insurance companies, and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Deadlines Should I Keep in Mind After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

After a hit-and-run accident, it’s crucial to understand the deadline for filing a lawsuit and an insurance claim. In New Jersey, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. As for insurance claims, the timeframe for reporting a hit-and-run accident should typically be within a few days or weeks. The insurance policy will contain the applicable deadlines.

How to Choose the Right Attorney to Handle Your Hit-and-Run Case

Choosing the right hit-and-run accident attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., our legal team includes over 30 highly qualified attorneys, including several Certified Civil Trial Attorneys, ready to support your case.

After an injury, we know it can be difficult to get out of the house. That’s not necessary when you work with us. Our law firm offers convenient meeting options, including free consultations over FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. Plus, we are multilingual, offering services in Spanish and translators for many other languages.

Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., Today

Being a victim of a hit-and-run accident is a distressing and disheartening experience. But you are not alone. Our team of skilled attorneys can fight for your rights. We will take the time to understand your situation and fight relentlessly for the results you deserve.

Don’t wait if you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Turn to Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.  for legal representation you can count on. Contact us today for a free case review.