Being hit by a driver who flees the scene is one of the most disorienting experiences an accident victim can face. You're injured, the at-fault driver is gone, and the immediate assumption — that there's no one to hold responsible — is wrong.
New York law provides a specific compensation pathway for exactly this situation. Dallas Law handles hit-and-run accident claims across Long Island and New York City, including cases where the driver was never identified and cases where the driver is known but uninsured. We know how to pursue recovery when the obvious path isn't available.
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You Have Options Even When the Driver Is Gone
Most hit-and-run victims assume that without an identified driver, there is no case. In New York, that assumption is incorrect. Two separate compensation pathways exist for victims of hit-and-run accidents, and an attorney can determine which applies to your situation.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy — or if you were a passenger in a vehicle that does — that coverage may apply to your hit-and-run claim. Uninsured motorist coverage is specifically designed to compensate injured victims when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or carries no insurance. Filing a claim under this coverage does not require identifying the driver who hit you.
MVAIC — The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation
For victims who have no access to uninsured motorist coverage, New York maintains the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, known as MVAIC. This is a state-established fund created specifically to compensate victims of unidentified and uninsured drivers. If you were struck by a driver who fled and you have no applicable uninsured motorist policy, MVAIC may be your primary path to compensation.
MVAIC covers:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering, where New York's serious injury threshold is met
- Death benefits in fatal hit-and-run cases
MVAIC claims are governed by specific notice requirements and filing deadlines that differ from standard personal injury timelines. Missing those deadlines can eliminate your eligibility entirely. If you were recently injured in a hit-and-run, the most important thing you can do right now is speak with an attorney.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident on Long Island
If you were just in a hit-and-run, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation.
Step 1: Call 911
Report the accident immediately and request medical assistance if needed. A police report documenting the hit-and-run is essential for both MVAIC and uninsured motorist claims. Without a report, your claim becomes significantly harder to pursue.
Step 2: Document Everything You Can
If you are physically able, photograph the scene, your injuries, any vehicle debris left behind, and any nearby traffic or security cameras that may have captured the crash. Note the direction the driver fled, a partial plate number if you saw one, and any witnesses present.
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries feel minor, get evaluated. Some serious injuries — soft tissue damage, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries — do not present with immediate symptoms. A medical record created close in time to the accident is also important evidence for your claim.
Step 4: Contact a Hit-and-Run Attorney Before Speaking With Any Insurer
Whether you're filing under your own uninsured motorist coverage or pursuing an MVAIC claim, insurers will move to limit their exposure. An attorney who handles hit-and-run cases regularly knows the MVAIC process, the documentation requirements, and how to build a claim that accounts for the absence of an identified defendant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit-and-Run Accidents in New York
If you’re asking, you’re not alone. Here are some of the questions we hear most often.
Serving Car Accident Victims Across Long Island and Beyond
Dallas Law, LLC is a personal injury firm headquartered in Melville, NY, representing hit-and-run victims across Long Island and
New York City. Robert Dallas holds a Super Lawyers designation and is a member of the National Trial Lawyers. Our team has recovered more than $21 million for injured clients and handles MVAIC claims, uninsured motorist filings, and the full range of hit-and-run accident cases throughout the region. Learn more at our About Us page.