Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is a uniquely terrifying and isolating experience. Perhaps you were crossing a busy street in Times Square or making your way near a bustling university campus in Syracuse when suddenly you were left injured, disoriented, and abandoned on the pavement. Who will pay for your medical bills? How will you support your family if you can't work? How can you possibly find justice when the person responsible simply vanished?
At William Mattar, P.C., we understand the deep emotional and physical trauma you are enduring. Our practice is dedicated to helping people just like you—individuals injured by negligent drivers across New York State. We are here to be your guide, your advocate, and your unwavering support system through this difficult time. While the path ahead may seem daunting, a dedicated New York hit-and-run pedestrian accident lawyer from our team can help guide you through the complex details of your claim and fight for the recovery you rightfully deserve.
Contact our compassionate legal team today for a free and confidential consultation.
Why Choose William Mattar Law Offices for Your New York Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Claim
When you have been involved in a traumatic hit-and-run, choosing the right legal team can make all the difference in your recovery and your future. You need a law firm with not only the legal skill to handle a complex case but also the compassion to understand what you and your family are going through. At William Mattar, P.C., we combine decades of focused experience with a deep, personal commitment to each client we serve. We see you as a person, not a case file, and your well-being is our highest priority.
Personal injury law is our focus, specifically cases involving motor vehicle collisions. This includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, and, importantly, pedestrians. This singular focus means we have an uncommonly deep understanding of the traffic laws, insurance policies, and legal strategies that are critical to winning these specific cases. We aren't distracted by other areas of law; your type of case is our entire world.
With over 30 years of experience, our firm has the resources, knowledge, and manpower to stand up to any insurance company. Our team of seasoned attorneys, paralegals, and intake specialists works collaboratively on your behalf, ensuring every detail is covered and every deadline is met. We are available 24/7 to take your call because we know that accidents and legal questions don’t adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule.
Choosing William Mattar means you are not just hiring a lawyer; you are partnering with a dedicated team that will stand by your side, protect your rights, and relentlessly advocate for the justice and financial security you deserve. Let us put our experience to work for you today.
How Do Hit-and-Run Accidents Complicate Pedestrian Accident Cases?
A hit-and-run adds a significant layer of emotional distress and legal complexity to an already difficult situation. The primary challenge is obvious: the person responsible for your injuries is unknown. In a typical accident case, you would file a claim against your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for initial medical expenses and lost wages. If you or someone you live with doesn’t have PIP coverage or your injuries are severe, you would file a claim against the at-fault driver's auto insurance policy. When that driver has fled, it can feel like your path to compensation has vanished with them.
However, it is crucial to understand that you still have options. An experienced hit-and-run attorney knows exactly where to look for potential sources of recovery.
First, your attorney will investigate whether you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/SUM) coverage through your own auto insurance policy. Many people don't realize that this coverage can apply even when they aren't in their own car. If you were a pedestrian, your UM/SUM coverage is designed to step in and act as the insurance for the phantom driver. It can cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, just as the hit-and-run driver’s insurance would have. This coverage may also be available through the policy of a relative you live with.
If you do not have an auto insurance policy and do not live with a relative who does, there is another critical safety net in New York: the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). MVAIC is a state-created entity designed to provide compensation to "qualified" individuals who are injured by uninsured or unidentified (hit-and-run) drivers. There are strict requirements and very short deadlines for filing an MVAIC claim—often just 90 days from the date of the accident. This is one of the most important reasons to contact a lawyer immediately. Missing this deadline could permanently bar you from receiving any compensation from this source.
At William Mattar P.C., we have extensive experience handling both UM/SUM claims and the intricate MVAIC process. We can help you identify all potential sources of recovery and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time, giving you the best possible chance at securing the funds you need to heal.
What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Injuries?
It is common for accident victims to second-guess their own actions. You might be replaying the event in your mind, wondering, "What if I hadn't been looking at my phone?" or "Should I have waited longer before crossing?" Perhaps you were crossing the street outside of a designated crosswalk (jaywalking) or were wearing dark clothing at night.
Please, do not let these thoughts stop you from seeking legal help. While drivers almost always bear the primary responsibility to see and avoid pedestrians, it is possible for a pedestrian's actions to be considered a contributing factor. The most important thing for you to know is that even if you are found to be partially at fault, you are not automatically disqualified from receiving compensation in New York.
New York follows a legal rule known as “pure comparative negligence.” This rule is incredibly favorable to injured victims. It states that you can recover damages from an at-fault party even if you were also negligent, but your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Under the pure comparative negligence rule, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your damages would be reduced by your 20% of fault, meaning you could still recover 80%.
Insurance companies will often try to use any admission of fault, no matter how small, to deny your claim entirely or blame you for the accident. This is why it is so important not to speak with an insurance adjuster before consulting with a lawyer. Our legal team can protect you from these tactics, investigate the accident to minimize any potential fault attributed to you, and fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation allowed under New York's comparative negligence law.
The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
In the days or weeks following your accident, you may receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster. They might sound friendly and concerned, and they may even make you a quick settlement offer. This offer can feel like a lifeline, especially when medical bills are piling up. However, accepting an early offer without consulting an attorney is almost always a mistake.
You must remember one crucial fact: insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, which means paying out as little as possible on claims. The friendly adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to resolve your claim for the lowest possible amount.
Insurance companies use several common tactics to shortchange victims, from offering quick, lowball offers to downplaying your injuries.
An experienced personal injury lawyer from our team knows the true value of your claim. We will conduct a thorough investigation, work with your doctors to understand your long-term prognosis, calculate your total past and future lost wages, and assess the full extent of your pain and suffering.
We will handle communications with the bodily injury liability insurance company, protecting you from their tactics and negotiating from a position of strength to secure a settlement that is fair and just.
Compensation Available in a New York Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
No amount of money can undo the trauma of a hit-and-run accident, but securing fair compensation is essential for your financial stability and your ability to access the resources you need to heal. In a New York personal injury claim, while some damages can be recovered through no-fault, you can seek compensation for a wide range of losses from the bodily injury liability carrier, including:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all past, current, and future medical bills related to the accident, such as ambulance rides, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, and medical devices.
- Rehabilitation Costs: The costs of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and any other rehabilitative care needed to help you regain function.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost while being unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you can seek compensation for the income you would have earned over your lifetime.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Costs for things like transportation to medical appointments or modifications made to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and anguish you have endured and may continue to endure.
- Emotional Distress: This includes compensation for the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disturbances.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by permanent scars or disfigurement.
Our legal team can meticulously document every loss to build a comprehensive demand for damages that reflects the total impact this accident has had on your life.
New York Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident FAQs
We know you have many questions right now. Below are answers to some common concerns we hear from hit-and-run victims.
How long do I have to file a claim in New York?
This is a critical question. The time limit, known as the statute of limitations, can be complex. Generally, for a personal injury lawsuit in New York, you have three years from the date of the accident. However, for a hit-and-run case where you may need to file against MVAIC, you must file a Notice of Intention to Make Claim within just 90 days of the accident. Because of these strict and differing deadlines, it is vital to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What happens if the police eventually find the hit-and-run driver?
If the driver is identified, your legal strategy may shift. We can then pursue a claim directly against that driver and their auto insurance company. This often opens up another potential source for a higher recovery. Our investigation will continue in parallel with the police investigation, and we will be prepared to pivot our strategy to hold the responsible party directly accountable.
How much will it really cost me to hire a William Mattar lawyer?
It will cost you nothing upfront. We stand by our No Fee Until We Win℠ promise. We fund the entire cost of investigating and litigating your case. We pay for witnesses, court filing fees, and all other expenses. We only receive attorney’s fees if and when we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or a court award.
Contact Our New York Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
You have been through an unimaginable ordeal. Being struck and then abandoned by a driver is a violation that can leave both physical and emotional scars. But your story does not have to end there. This is the moment to take back control, and you do not have to do it alone.
The team at William Mattar Law Offices is ready to stand with you. We have the resources of a large, established New York law firm, the experience of over 30 years focused on motor vehicle accidents, and the compassion to treat you with the dignity and care you deserve. Let us handle the legal burdens, the insurance companies, and the fight for justice, so you can focus on what matters most: your healing.
Don't let valuable time and your right to compensation slip away. Each passing day can make it harder to build a strong claim. Take the first step towards recovery right now.
Contact us today at (716) 444-4444 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.