Hempstead Hit and Run Lawyer

A hit-and-run crash leaves you with more than physical injuries. You’re dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the frustration of a driver who vanished without taking responsibility. While it may seem impossible to hold anyone accountable, New York law provides specific protections for hit-and-run victims. You can still pursue compensation through your own insurance, state programs, and other legal avenues designed for exactly this situation.

At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we know Nassau County’s roads and understand how these cases work. From car accidents on Peninsula Boulevard to crashes near the Hempstead Transit Center, we’ve secured compensation for victims left behind by fleeing drivers.

Our team handles the investigation, insurance battles, and legal complexities while you focus on recovery. With decades of experience and recognition throughout Nassau County, we’re the advocates Hempstead residents trust when a driver tries to escape accountability.

Hurt in a Hit and Run in Hempstead? We Can Help Today

When a driver strikes you and speeds away, it feels like they’ve stolen your chance at justice. The reality is different, you have clear paths to recovery, even when the other driver disappears. At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve helped countless Hempstead residents secure compensation after hit-and-run crashes.

Chrissy Grigoropoulos has built her reputation fighting insurance companies that try to deny legitimate claims. Her courtroom presence and thorough preparation have earned recognition throughout Nassau County. We’re available 24/7 and provide services in Spanish, Greek, French-Creole, and Korean because emergencies don’t wait for business hours.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. Our free consultations give you answers without pressure or obligation.

Call us immediately for help. We speak your language and fight for your rights.

What to Do After a Hit and Run in Hempstead

The minutes after a hit-and-run are crucial for your health and your legal case. Every action you take can protect your right to compensation or hurt your chances of recovery.

Call 911 and Get Medical Care

Your safety comes first. Call 911 even if your injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask serious damage. Head to Mount Sinai South Nassau or NYU Langone for immediate evaluation. Internal injuries, concussions, and soft tissue damage often don’t show symptoms right away.

Medical records created immediately after the crash become vital evidence later. They prove your injuries were caused by the accident, not something else.

Report to Police and Get the Report Number

Contact the Hempstead Police Department immediately. New York law requires police reports within 24 hours for certain benefits. The responding officer will document the scene, interview witnesses, and create an official record.

Get the report number before the officer leaves. You’ll need this number for insurance claims and any legal action.

Capture Evidence and Witness Information

If you’re physically able, gather evidence before it disappears:

• Vehicle details: Note color, make, model, and any visible license plate numbers.
• Scene documentation: Take photos of vehicle damage, your injuries, skid marks, and debris.
• Witness statements: Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash.
• Surveillance cameras: Look for nearby businesses or traffic cameras that might have recorded the incident.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurer to report the hit-and-run, but be careful about recorded statements. Insurance adjusters are trained to find reasons to deny or reduce claims. Tell them basic facts about when and where the crash happened, but avoid detailed discussions about fault or injuries.

Contact a Local Hit and Run Lawyer

The sooner you call an attorney, the better your chances of success. We immediately begin preserving evidence, meeting deadlines, and protecting your rights while you focus on healing.

Can You Get Compensation if the Driver Is Never Found?

New York law provides several ways to recover compensation even when the at-fault driver escapes. As your Hempstead hit and run lawyer, we know exactly which options apply to your situation.

No-Fault Benefits and the 30-Day Deadline

Your own auto insurance includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is no-fault insurance that pays medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. You must file Form NF-2 with your insurer within 30 days of the accident.

PIP covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost earnings. It also pays for necessary services like childcare or housework if your injuries prevent you from handling these tasks.

Uninsured Motorist Claims When the Driver Flees

New York treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists. Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver can’t be identified. Every policy must include at least $25,000 in UM coverage, though you may have purchased higher limits.

UM coverage pays for injuries that exceed the serious injury threshold. This includes permanent disfigurement, significant limitation of body function, or medical expenses above basic economic loss.

MVIAC Claims for Uninsured Victims

The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVIAC) helps accident victims who lack insurance coverage. If you don’t own a car or aren’t covered by a household policy, MVIAC may cover your damages.

To qualify for MVIAC benefits, you must be a New York resident with no available insurance coverage. You must report the accident to police within 24 hours and file a Notice of Intention to Make Claim within 90 days.

Property Damage Through Collision Coverage

If you carry collision coverage, it pays for vehicle repairs minus your deductible. We often recover deductible amounts later if the fleeing driver is identified and has insurance.

What Happens if Police Identify the Driver?

When police locate the hit-and-run driver, your case becomes much stronger. We can pursue a direct claim against their liability insurance, which typically offers higher compensation than UM or MVIAC claims. The driver faces criminal charges separately from your civil case.

We immediately contact the driver’s insurance company to preserve evidence and begin settlement negotiations. Their policy limits determine the maximum available compensation, but we fight for every dollar you deserve.

How We Track Down Hit and Run Drivers and Build Your Case

Finding a fleeing driver requires aggressive investigation that starts immediately. We don’t wait for police to solve the case, we launch our own comprehensive search.

Our investigation includes canvassing businesses along Peninsula Boulevard, Fulton Avenue, and other nearby streets for surveillance footage. We file Freedom of Information Law requests for traffic camera recordings and automated license plate reader data.

We interview witnesses door-to-door while memories remain fresh. Our team analyzes paint transfers, vehicle parts, and other physical evidence left at the scene. We work with forensic experts to identify the make and model of the fleeing vehicle.

• Surveillance review: We examine footage from nearby cameras that may have captured the incident.
• Witness interviews: We locate and interview anyone who saw the crash or fleeing vehicle.
• Physical evidence analysis: We collect paint chips, vehicle parts, and other debris for expert examination.
• Database searches: We search motor vehicle records for vehicles matching the description.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Hit and Run?

The compensation available depends on your injuries and which type of claim you file. We calculate every aspect of your losses to ensure nothing gets overlooked.

Economic damages after a motor vehicle accident cover measurable financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and future treatment costs. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, we calculate reduced earning capacity over your lifetime.

Non-economic damages compensate for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life. New York’s serious injury threshold determines whether you can recover these damages. Permanent injuries, significant disfigurement, or substantial limitation of body function typically qualify.

Don’t let a hit-and-run driver escape accountability. Contact us to explore your full compensation options.

What if a Hit and Run Caused a Wrongful Death?

Losing a loved one in a hit-and-run is devastating beyond words. The personal representative of your loved one’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for your family’s losses.

Wrongful death damages include funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and the value of services your loved one provided. We help families navigate this difficult process with compassion and determination.

Can You Recover if You Were Partly at Fault?

New York’s comparative negligence law allows recovery even when you share some blame. Your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but you don’t lose the right to collect damages.

For example, if you were jaywalking when struck by a hit-and-run driver, you might be 20% at fault. You can still recover 80% of your total damages. We fight to minimize any blame assigned to you while maximizing the driver’s responsibility.

How Long Do You Have to File in New York?

Hit-and-run cases involve multiple deadlines that can permanently bar your claim if missed. Acting quickly protects all your options.

Claim Type	Deadline	Critical Notes
Police Report	24 hours	Required for MVIAC eligibility
No-Fault Application	30 days	Must file NF-2 form with your insurer
MVIAC Notice	90 days	For uninsured victims only
Personal Injury Lawsuit	3 years	General statute of limitations
Wrongful Death Lawsuit	2 years	Starts from date of death

Missing the 30-day no-fault deadline can cost you thousands in medical coverage. The 90-day MVIAC deadline is absolute, there are no extensions.

How Insurance Companies Try to Undervalue Hit and Run Claims

Insurance companies view hit-and-run claims as opportunities to save money. They know you can’t identify the other driver, so they often blame you for the crash or minimize your injuries.

Common tactics include delaying claim processing, disputing medical necessity, and pressuring you into quick personal injury settlements before you understand your full damages. They may argue that your injuries existed before the crash or weren’t caused by the accident.

Without legal representation, you’re fighting trained professionals whose job is paying as little as possible. We level the playing field by building strong cases backed by evidence and expert testimony.

Do You Need a Hempstead Hit and Run Lawyer?

Hit-and-run cases are among the most complex in personal injury law. The tight deadlines, multiple insurance systems, and challenges of proving damages without an identified defendant make professional help essential.

From filing paperwork to negotiating with adjusters to preparing for trial, our personal injury lawyer team manages the legal process so you don’t have to.

Get answers to your questions today. Call for your free consultation, we’re available 24/7.

Why Choose Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers

Chrissy Grigoropoulos and our attorneys bring decades of courtroom experience to every hit-and-run case. Her background with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and prominent New York law firms gives her unique insight into how these cases work.

We’re deeply rooted in the Hempstead community and understand the local roads where these crashes happen. Our multilingual staff ensures language barriers never prevent you from getting quality legal help.

You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our contingency fee structure means we only succeed when you do.

Contact a Hempstead Hit and Run Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Time is working against you after a hit-and-run crash. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away, and critical deadlines approach quickly. The sooner you call, the stronger your case becomes.

We offer free consultations with no pressure or obligation. You can contact us by phone, online form, or by visiting our office. Every conversation is confidential and designed to help you understand your options.

Injured in a hit-and-run in Hempstead? Don’t wait. Contact Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovery. We’ll handle the fight, you focus on healing.

Hit and Run Lawyer FAQs

How Much Does a Hempstead Hit and Run Lawyer Cost?

We handle all hit-and-run cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Our fees come directly from any settlement or verdict we obtain.

Do I Need to Report a Hit and Run Within 24 Hours?

Yes, you must report the accident to police within 24 hours to preserve your right to file a MVIAC claim. You may still have other options if you miss this deadline, but acting quickly protects all possibilities.

What if I Missed the 30-Day No-Fault Deadline?

Late filing is sometimes possible if you have a reasonable excuse for the delay, such as being hospitalized or mentally incapacitated. Contact an attorney immediately to explore your options.

Can I Get My Car Repaired if the Driver Is Unknown?

Yes, if you have collision coverage on your auto insurance policy, it will pay for repairs minus your deductible. We can often recover the deductible if the at-fault driver is later identified.

Does Immigration Status Affect My Hit and Run Claim?

No, your immigration status has no impact on your right to file insurance claims or lawsuits in New York. We protect client confidentiality and focus solely on getting you the compensation you deserve.

Do Passengers Qualify for Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Hit and Runs?

Yes, injured passengers can typically access UM benefits through the policy covering the vehicle they were in or through a household member’s policy. We help determine which coverage applies to your situation.

Do I Need the License Plate Number to Have a Valid Case?

No, you don’t need a complete license plate to pursue compensation. Partial plate information helps our investigation, but you can still file UM or MVIAC claims without any plate number.