New York City Crosswalk

Protecting yourself from Hit and Run Injuries

In January 2017, New York City saw several hit and run fatalities. These included a pedestrian who was killed by an unknown motorist in Springfield Gardens in the early hours of New Year’s Day and multiple cases from Brooklyn, including the cases of Rafael Nieves of Williamsburg, Iosif Plazinskiy of Brighton Beach, and Marlon Palacios, the third of whom was struck and killed when he was traveling through East Flatbush to pick up his son from daycare.

Hit and run accidents, like other types of car accident, can result in serious injuries and even death for victims. If you were involved in a hit and run accident, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your rights and options for seeking compensation for your damages as soon as possible.

Recent Brooklyn Hit and Run Trends

As you read above, there have been many hit and run incidents reported in Brooklyn so far this year. These incidents occurred in neighborhoods throughout the borough, rather than one specific area. Be cautious and aware of your surroundings no matter where you are – accidents happen in neighborhoods old and new, rich and poor, urban and suburban.

Safety Tips for Motorists and Pedestrians

A few ways you can reduce your chance of being a victim of a hit and run accident include:

  • Have a notebook and pen in your vehicle or your purse to jot down a license plate number and any other details about a vehicle that strikes you or your vehicle, such as its color, model, and the direction it traveled
  • Do not drive distracted. Not only can this make you a hazard to yourself and others on the road, it can cause you to miss critical details about any vehicle that strikes yours
  • When walking or bicycling, be aware of your surroundings always and obey the posted traffic rules
  • If you are a hit and run victim, do not pursue the vehicle that hit you. Instead, note any relevant details you can and report the collision to the local police

Seeking Compensation for your Damages After a Hit and Run Accident

In New York, injured motorists generally seek payment of their medical bills through their own automobile insurance providers, rather than those insuring the negligent parties unless they are a pedestrian or a bicyclist. This is known as a no fault, or personal injury protection (PIP) claim. If your injuries pass the “serious injury” threshold, though, you may seek compensation for your damages from the negligent driver.

Work with an Experienced Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are suffering from an injury because of another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Seeking compensation after a hit and run can be difficult because you do not know the party responsible for your damages, but it is not impossible. Contact The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum today at 718-237-5586 to schedule your initial consultation with one of the personal injury lawyers at our firm.