One of New York City’s less-inspiring statistics is the incredibly high amount of pedestrians that end up hit by cars in one manner or another. In fact, according to the NYPD, in May of 2019 alone the citywide number of pedestrians hit by motor vehicles was a jaw-dropping 858 if non-bicyclists are counted. Adding in bicycles bumps the number up by 436. Many of these pedestrians were victims of hit-and-runs, where the driver did not stop after striking the pedestrian.
Hit-and-run accidents are a serious problem in New York City, and it is important to know how to handle it if it happens to you.
The first thing that you should do is call the police. If you are injured, this is a good time to dial 911. Otherwise, calling the non-emergency number is also a good choice. Do not try to chase down the vehicle that hit you: the person inside is wielding a 2,000 pound weapon and it is better not to antagonize them. A police report is vital for a hit-and-run.
Try to recall as many details as you can about the driver and the car. Getting a license plate is very helpful. If you yourself are unable to get this information, be sure to ask bystanders. Try to talk to as many people as possible: somebody may have taken a picture or gotten a video of the event.
You can also check with stores/establishments in the vicinity to see if they have security camera footage that can be used to identify the driver. This will all go a long way toward ensuring that you get your day in court.
