A pedestrian hit by a driver who flees may worry about paying medical bills without knowing who caused the crash. The driver’s absence does not always mean the injured person has no options. Depending on the circumstances, New York’s no-fault system, available household insurance and the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) may provide benefits.
How can medical bills and lost wages be covered?
No-fault insurance may cover medical expenses and certain lost earnings after a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. Coverage may be available through the pedestrian’s own auto insurance or a qualifying household member’s policy, even though the individual was walking when the crash occurred.
If no available policy applies, MVAIC may provide no-fault and bodily injury coverage to eligible victims of crashes involving uninsured or unidentified vehicles. Eligibility depends on factors such as available insurance and the circumstances of the accident. The available insurance should be identified as soon as possible.
What deadlines should you know?
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run, seeking medical help should be the priority. Once you have received the care needed, reporting the accident and protecting the ability to pursue compensation become important. MVAIC states that a hit-and-run accident generally must be reported to police within 24 hours or as soon as reasonably possible. It also lists a 90-day deadline for submitting a Notice of Intention in qualifying unidentified-vehicle cases.
No-fault claims have their own notice requirements. Acting promptly can help prevent a missed deadline from affecting potential benefits.
What if the injuries are serious?
No-fault benefits are not the same as compensation for pain and suffering. If an injury meets New York’s serious-injury threshold, additional compensation may be available through an applicable bodily injury or uninsured motorist claim.
The type and severity of the injury matter. Medical records can help document fractures, significant disfigurement or other lasting effects.
What should you do after a hit-and-run?
After the crash, report it to the police and seek medical care. Keep copies of medical records and bills. Write down what happened while the details are fresh, and preserve photographs, witness information, and any description of the vehicle.
An attorney can help identify available insurance, review applicable deadlines and investigate evidence that may help establish what happened. When the driver is gone, prompt action can still help protect a pedestrian’s options.