Hit & Run Accident Lawyer in Rochester

Helping Hit-and-Run Victims Recover Since 1968

When a driver flees the scene, victims are left to pursue a claim without the at-fault party’s insurance information. At Faraci Lange, LLP, we’ve handled thousands of auto accident cases across Rochester and Upstate New York since 1968, and we know how to pursue compensation even when the responsible driver can’t be identified. Focusing exclusively on personal injury law means every resource we have goes toward helping clients recover.

What New York Law Requires After an Accident

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 600, a driver who knows or has reason to know that damage occurred must stop before leaving the scene, show their license and insurance identification card, and provide their name, address, insurance carrier, and license number to the other party. Failing to do so isn’t just a civil matter.

The criminal consequences scale with the harm caused:

• Property damage only: A traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250, up to 15 days in jail, or both
• Personal injury, first offense: A class A misdemeanor
• Personal injury, second offense: A class E felony
• Serious physical injury: A class E felony
• Death: A class D felony

None of that automatically puts money in an injured victim’s pocket. Pursuing compensation requires a separate civil claim, and the path forward depends heavily on whether the driver is ever identified.

How Hit-and-Run Victims in Rochester Can Recover Compensation

New York requires every auto insurance policy to include uninsured motorist coverage, which pays for bodily injury caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, though many policies carry higher amounts. We advise clients to report the crash to their own insurer promptly and work with them through the uninsured motorist claim process.

When no applicable insurance is available, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) may provide a path to recovery. Created under New York State law in 1958, MVAIC is a program of last resort that provides no-fault benefits and bodily injury coverage to victims injured by an unidentified or uninsured vehicle. Its deadlines are strict and narrowly enforced, so prompt action matters.

Deadlines That Apply to a Hit-and-Run Claim

New York’s statute of limitations gives injury victims three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline can result in the case being dismissed entirely. But several important deadlines arrive much sooner.

A written Notice of Intention to make an MVAIC claim generally must be filed within 90 days of the accident. Claims involving a government entity, such as a municipal vehicle or a dangerous condition on public property in Rochester or elsewhere in Monroe County, carry the same 90-day notice window along with additional procedural requirements. We identify applicable deadlines from the start of a case.

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

What you do in the hours and days after the crash directly affects the strength of your claim. Evidence disappears quickly: surveillance footage gets recorded over, and witnesses’ memories begin to fade within days.

At the scene and immediately after, focus on these steps:

• Move to safety and check yourself and others for injuries; call for medical help if needed
• Call the police and provide any details you recall about the vehicle or driver that might help investigators locate them
• Photograph everything: your vehicle, the scene, any injuries, and any debris left behind
• Collect witness contact information before people leave the area
• Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible
• Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine; some injuries aren’t immediately apparent

How Faraci Lange, LLP Approaches Hit-and-Run Cases

Our attorneys are trial lawyers. We represent clients through every stage of litigation and are fully prepared to take a case to court when that’s appropriate. We also tailor our approach to each client’s situation and stay consistently available to answer questions throughout the process.

Twelve of our attorneys appear on the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list, and eleven are listed in Best Lawyers in America. Faraci Lange, LLP has been named a Best Law Firm in both Rochester and Buffalo. That recognition reflects decades of personal injury work for clients across this region.

Talk to Our Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Rochester at No Cost

Every consultation at Faraci Lange, LLP is free and confidential, and we work on a contingency fee basis.