Hit and Run Accident Lawyer New York County, NY

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: July 2026

If you were injured in a hit and run collision in Manhattan — or anywhere in New York County — you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and the pain that followed. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents injured pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and passengers who need to pursue claims when the at-fault driver cannot be found. The firm works to secure recovery through uninsured motorist benefits, no-fault coverage, and other avenues available under New York law. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in New York County Supreme Court and investigate claims involving fleeing drivers, serious injuries, and difficult insurance disputes. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.

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What Hit and Run Accident Claims Mean in New York County

Under New York’s no-fault system, a person injured in a car accident typically seeks benefits from their own insurance carrier first — regardless of who caused the crash. In a hit and run, the at-fault driver is not immediately available to make a liability claim against, so the injured party may need to turn to uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM can cover economic and non-economic losses if the identity of the other driver remains unknown. To recover for pain and suffering, the injury must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold as defined in Insurance Law § 5102. The firm works to document the nature and extent of the injury in a manner sufficient to satisfy that threshold and to pursue every source of compensation the victim’s insurance policies provide.

New York County (Manhattan) presents particularly dense traffic conditions, with a high volume of pedestrian movement, bike lanes, and commercial vehicle traffic. Hit and run collisions occur frequently near major intersections, midtown crosswalks, and transit hubs. The New York County Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street near City Hall, hears personal injury actions arising from motor vehicle accidents. The firm’s New York location serves clients in Manhattan neighborhoods including Midtown, the Financial District, Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Lower East Side. When an accident happen on FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, or a busy crosstown street, the firm investigates whether private surveillance, traffic cameras, or witness accounts can help identify the fleeing vehicle and build a claim.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Hit and Run Accident Cases

Drawing on extensive combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, the firm investigates the facts of the collision thoroughly. Attorneys work with accident reconstruction attorneys to understand how the crash occurred and identify evidence that may lead to the other driver. The firm obtains police reports, searches for nearby camera footage, and interviews witnesses while memories are fresh. If the driver is located, the firm can pursue a liability claim directly. If not, it prepares and presents a UM claim to the injured client’s own insurer, negotiating for a fair settlement that reflects medical costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Results may vary.

The firm also guides clients through New York’s procedural requirements, including filing a timely Notice of Claim when a municipal vehicle or government entity may be involved. Attorneys prepare cases for trial in New York County Supreme Court when settlement negotiations do not produce an acceptable offer. The firm’s familiarity with the Court’s preliminary conference, compliance conference, and trial calendar procedures helps it move cases forward efficiently while keeping clients informed at each stage.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., established the firm in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted to practice in New York, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His experience in criminal and civil matters provides perspective useful in hit and run cases where law enforcement findings can intersect with injury claims.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional experience to personal injury matters. All non‑Sris attorneys serve as Of Counsel, and the team collectively handles investigations, insurance negotiations, and litigation. The firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis — clients pay no fee unless the firm recovers compensation for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a hit and run accident in New York County?

After a hit and run accident, call 911, obtain medical attention, and try to record the fleeing car’s description and license plate number if you can do so safely. Report the incident to the police and ask for a copy of the accident report. Notify your own auto insurer about the crash as soon as possible. Save any photos or video you took at the scene, and keep records of your medical treatment. Speaking with an attorney early can help you preserve important evidence before it disappears. To discuss your situation, call (888) 437-7747.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a hit and run accident in New York?

In New York, a personal injury claim arising from a motor vehicle collision must be filed within three years from the date of the accident (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5)). Wrongful death claims generally have a two‑year deadline. If a municipal entity may be responsible, a Notice of Claim must be served within 90 days. Missing the applicable deadline can bar the claim entirely. It is critical to consult with an attorney promptly so the correct limitation period is identified and met.

Can I still recover compensation if the driver who hit me is never found?

Yes, you may recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or by filing a no‑fault (PIP) claim with your insurance company — both are available even if the at‑fault driver is never located. No‑fault benefits cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. UM coverage steps in when the other driver is unidentified or uninsured. An attorney can help you assemble the documentation your insurer will require and negotiate the value of your UM claim. For a consultation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What damages can I recover in a New York hit and run accident claim?

You may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, but to recover for pain and suffering you must show you sustained a “serious injury” under New York Insurance Law § 5102. Serious injury can include a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of a body function, or a medically determined injury that prevents you from performing usual daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days after the accident. Economic damages such as past and future medical costs and lost earning capacity do not require a serious‑injury showing in every context. The firm evaluates the full scope of your losses when preparing a claim.

Do I need a lawyer for a hit and run accident claim in New York County?

You are not required to have legal representation, but an experienced personal injury attorney can investigate the accident, handle insurance company communications, and build the proof needed to satisfy the serious‑injury threshold — steps that are difficult to manage alone while you recover. Insurance carriers often look for reasons to reduce or deny UM claims. An attorney can address coverage disputes, locate potential evidence, and negotiate a fair resolution. The firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost. To discuss your case, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

How does the firm investigate a hit and run accident in Manhattan?

The firm’s investigation may include obtaining traffic‑camera or private‑business surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, reviewing police accident reports, consulting accident reconstruction attorneys, and searching for cell‑phone or social‑media evidence that could identify the other driver. If police issued a summons or made an arrest later, the firm can monitor that proceeding and use any admissions or findings to support your civil claim. Early action increases the chance that useful evidence is preserved. Contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation.

Official resources:
New York County Supreme Court ·
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) ·
New York State Unified Court System

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