Hit & Run Accident Attorney in Williamsville

Helping Hit-and-Run Victims Recover Since 1968

When another driver causes a crash and flees, victims in Williamsville are left with damaged vehicles, mounting medical bills, and no clear target for their claim. At Faraci Lange, LLP, we’ve been helping injured clients navigate exactly this kind of uncertainty since 1968. Because our firm concentrates exclusively on personal injury law, we focus our resources on the people who need it most, throughout Erie County and the broader Western New York region.

Hit-and-run crashes create a specific legal problem: the at-fault driver can’t be sued if they can’t be found. Our approach is to identify every compensation avenue available under your own insurance and New York law, so the case doesn’t dead-end with an empty police report.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Williamsville

The steps you take in the hours after a hit-and-run can meaningfully affect your claim. Acting quickly preserves evidence and satisfies the notice requirements your insurer will expect.

• Call 911: An official police report documents the incident and is typically required before an uninsured motorist claim can be filed.
• Record Every Detail You Can: Note the fleeing vehicle’s color, make, model, plate number, and direction of travel. Check for nearby traffic cameras, business security cameras, or willing witnesses.
• Photograph Everything: Capture your vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries before the scene changes.
• Notify Your Insurer Promptly: New York uninsured motorist coverage may apply to your claim, but policies carry strict notice deadlines. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident.

New York’s Leaving-the-Scene Law: VTL 600

Under Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 600, every driver involved in an accident must stop, provide their name, address, insurance information, and license details, and offer reasonable assistance if anyone is injured. Failing to do so carries criminal consequences that escalate with the severity of harm.

• Property Damage Only: A traffic infraction punishable by a fine up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail.
• Personal Injury Involved: Generally charged as a class B or class A misdemeanor. New York courts interpret “personal injury” broadly under VTL 600(2), and even minor bruising or soreness can qualify.
• Serious Physical Injury or a Second Offense: A class E felony.
• Death Resulting from the Incident: A class D felony.

Separately, if property damage exceeds $1,000, involved drivers must file a report with the New York DMV within 10 days of the accident.

How Hit-and-Run Victims Recover Compensation in New York

Because the at-fault driver is often never identified, compensation typically comes through the victim’s own insurance policies rather than a direct claim against the driver. New York law provides several layers of protection worth understanding.

No-Fault Benefits

New York’s no-fault system requires a minimum of $50,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) on every auto policy. These benefits cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, and they apply even in hit-and-run situations.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

State law requires every New York auto policy to include uninsured motorist coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. A driver who flees and can’t be identified is treated as an uninsured motorist, which means your own policy can become the source of bodily injury compensation.

SUM Coverage

Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage extends that protection up to your own bodily injury liability limits. If you carry higher limits, SUM can significantly increase the compensation potentially available to you.

MVAIC

The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) is a last-resort resource for qualified victims who have no applicable auto insurance coverage at all. We can help determine whether MVAIC is an option in your situation.

Why Williamsville Hit-and-Run Victims Choose Faraci Lange, LLP

Hit-and-run claims involve insurance procedures, policy deadlines, and the possibility of litigation in Erie County Supreme Court if a fair resolution isn’t reached. We handle every stage of that process. With 12 attorneys selected for the Upstate New York Super Lawyers® list, 11 listed in Best Lawyers in America®, and recognition among the Best Law Firms in Rochester and Buffalo, our firm brings established credentials to these cases.

Every client works directly with our team from start to finish. We tailor our approach to the specific facts of each claim and stay available to answer questions throughout the process.

Talk to Our Hit-and-Run Lawyer Serving Williamsville

A hit-and-run shouldn’t leave you absorbing someone else’s consequences. Your consultation is free and confidential, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so it costs nothing to find out where your claim stands.