I’ve been practicing law in the Bronx for decades, and one thing I can tell you with certainty is this: when you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, the confusion can feel just as painful as the injuries. One moment you’re driving home, crossing an intersection, or even walking down the street. The next, you’ve been struck and the other driver is already gone.

If that’s ever happened to you, you know the feeling: the shock, the anger, the disbelief that someone could cause harm and then just keep driving. It’s not just about the damage to your car or even your injuries, it’s about being left behind. And that’s the part that sticks with people. Over the years, I’ve sat with clients in waiting rooms and living rooms all across this borough, and I can tell you that what they want most is accountability. They want to know someone will stand up for them when the other driver chose not to.

In the Bronx, hit-and-run accident cases aren’t just another traffic matter, they’re treated as both a criminal offense and a civil claim. On the criminal side, the NYPD investigates through its Collision Investigation Squad and local precinct detectives. They’ll use traffic cameras, surveillance footage from nearby bodegas, and license plate readers at bridges and tunnels to try and track down the driver. But let’s be honest: investigations can take months and not every case ends with an arrest. That’s why you can’t always sit back and wait.

10 key facts every Bronx resident should understand about a hit-and-run accident in New York

On the civil side, the rules in New York City are very specific. Victims have the right to pursue compensation even if the driver is never caught, often through their own uninsured motorist coverage. And because this is NYC, where traffic is dense, witnesses are plentiful, and cameras are everywhere, the chances of finding evidence are often higher than in rural areas. But here’s the catch: most businesses only keep surveillance footage for a short time, sometimes just a week or two. If an attorney isn’t involved quickly, that critical evidence can disappear before anyone even asks for it. Timing really is everything.

I’ve represented countless Bronx residents in these cases, and I want to use this space not to frighten you, but to prepare you. Because the truth is, what you do in the minutes and days after a hit-and-run can make a huge difference in your ability to recover. Not just physically, but financially and legally as well.

So let me give you a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of what you need to know:

1. Leaving the Scene of an Accident Is a Crime in New York

It doesn’t matter if the driver thought “it was just a fender bender.” If you hit someone and leave without stopping, that’s a crime. In fact, under New York law, drivers involved in an accident must stop, exchange information, and call the police if there are injuries. Failing to do so can lead to criminal charges, ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the severity of the injuries.

2. Call 911 Immediately, Even if You Think You’re Okay

I’m very clear that talking to police is a very touchy subject. I always advocate to have an attorney present anytime you are talking to law enforcement. But if you’re in a hit-and-run accident in the Bronx, your first step should always be to call 911. Not just for emergency medical care, but also because you want the police report on record. A formal report is critical for both the criminal investigation and any insurance claim you might file later. Don’t “tough it out.” Shock and adrenaline mask injuries more often than you think.

Once you let 911 know where the accident occurred and if anyone is seriously injured, you can wait for the police to arrive on scene and choose whether or not you need an attorney to support you. It’s not always feasible to call an attorney while at an accident scene, but you do have the right and you should have a number in your phone just in case.

Here’s a post I wrote that tells you what you need to know when calling the police.

3. Gather Every Detail You Can Remember

Even if it feels like a blur, take a moment to jot down everything you can remember about the fleeing vehicle. The color, make, model, any part of the license plate, even the direction it drove off in. In my experience, small details can crack a case wide open. And in today’s world, there are cameras on practically every city corner. The more you recall, the more law enforcement can cross-check with footage. Take a look at a previous post I wrote with a solid auto accident checklist.

4. Talk to Witnesses on the Spot

If anyone nearby saw the crash, get their contact information. Witness statements often provide the missing puzzle piece, like the full license plate or a clearer description of the driver. Don’t assume the police will gather everything; people disappear fast once the scene clears.

5. Use Your Phone as a Tool

Photos and video are your best friends. Snap shots of your car, your injuries, the intersection, skid marks, or anything that paints the picture. A quick cell phone video capturing a broken taillight left behind could be the clue that leads to finding the driver weeks later.

6. Your Own Insurance May Be Your Lifeline in a Hit-and-Run Accident

Here’s something most people don’t realize: in New York, if the hit-and-run accident driver isn’t found, your own insurance policy may step in under what’s called uninsured motorist coverage. This applies whether you were driving, riding a bike, or even walking as a pedestrian. But the key is to notify your insurer immediately. Wait too long, and they may try to deny your claim.

7. No-Fault Benefits Still Apply

New York is a no-fault state, which means your own car insurance pays for your basic medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain amount, no matter who was at fault. That includes hit-and-runs. But again, timing matters. You generally have 30 days to file your no-fault claim. Don’t let the clock run out.

8. Police Will Investigate, but Don’t Rely on That Alone

The NYPD will open an investigation, but realistically, not every case leads to an arrest. That’s why you need to think in terms of parallel tracks: the police handle the criminal side, while your attorney pursues the civil side to recover damages. These are two different systems, and you don’t want to assume one automatically triggers the other.

9. A Lawyer Can Subpoena Camera Footage Before It’s Erased

Here’s where experience in the Bronx really comes into play. Surveillance cameras often delete footage in a matter of days. If you hire an attorney quickly, we can send subpoenas to secure that video before it vanishes. Time is not your friend in these cases.

10. You May Be Entitled to More Than You Think

Most clients are shocked to learn how much compensation they may be entitled to. Beyond medical bills and lost wages, you may be able to recover for pain and suffering, long-term disability, or even psychological trauma. But none of this happens automatically. You need someone to build the case.

Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Bronx Hit-and-Run Accident

To make it as simple as possible, here’s my checklist for victims of hit-and-run accidents:

✅ Call 911 immediately.

✅ Get medical attention, even if you feel “fine.”

✅ Write down every detail you remember about the other car.

✅ Collect witness names and contact info.

✅ Take photos or video of the scene, damage, and injuries.

✅ Notify your insurance company right away.

✅ File a no-fault application within 30 days.

✅ Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

✅ File and obtain a Collision Report or have your attorney obtain.

✅ Don’t discuss the accident with the other driver’s insurance company without an attorney if they contact you.

✅ Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts.

Why I Care About Hit-and-Run Accident Cases

I’ve sat across from too many Bronx families whose lives were changed in an instant because someone else drove recklessly and then made the choice to flee. It is not just the broken bones or hospital bills; it’s the sense of being abandoned, of not mattering that gets under my skin. Representing hit-and-run victims is about more than securing financial compensation (though that’s vital). It’s about sending a message: you can’t injure someone and then disappear. The Bronx is a community, and we look out for one another.

Final Word

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in the Bronx, don’t wait. Every hour matters for the investigation, for preserving evidence, and for protecting your rights under New York law.

And if you take away nothing else from this article, remember this: you are not powerless. Even when the other driver flees, there are legal avenues to hold someone accountable and to get you the care and compensation you deserve.

My advice? Save this checklist somewhere you can find it. Hopefully, you’ll never need it. But if you do, you’ll be ready and you’ll know there’s someone in the Bronx who has your back.

 

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