Hit and Run Car Accidents in Newark
Most car accident victims know who hit them. They exchange information, file a claim, and begin recuperating. Hit and run car accidents in Newark are different. There’s no license plate, no insurance card, no responsible party standing there. What’s left is a crash scene, a set of injuries, and a legal situation that requires a different kind of approach.
If you suffered injuries in this type of collision, a car accident lawyer from our firm can help you decide what the right approach is for your specific case. You can seek compensation even though the other driver left the accident scene. The state’s insurance framework was designed to handle this exact scenario, and there are legal means available even if you never identify the responsible party. At GGL Injury Lawyers, we know how to use every one of them.
How To Protect Your Claim After a Hit and Run
Your actions in the hours following a hit and run crash can significantly affect your ability to pursue a claim. If you’re physically able, prioritize the following:
- Calling 911 and staying at the scene
- Recording a partial license plate or vehicle description (if possible)
- Noting the direction the vehicle traveled and any identifying details
- Photographing the area and documenting any visible damage
- Collecting contact information from any witnesses
You should report your hit and run car crash to the Newark Police Department and your insurance company as promptly as possible. Delayed reporting can complicate your claim, particularly if you intend to file under your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Our attorneys at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq can guide you through those notifications and make sure not to handle anything in a way that could hurt your case.
What Are Your Options When You Can’t Find the Driver?
State law requires drivers to carry UM coverage under New Jersey Revised Statutes § 17:28-1.1, and this coverage applies to hit and run accidents. If you never identify the at-fault driver, you can file a UM claim through your own policy to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your insurer then takes the position of the missing driver for purposes of the claim.
Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage also applies regardless of fault, covering your initial medical expenses after your hit and run vehicle collision in Newark. The interaction between PIP and UM coverage can be complex, and how you sequence those claims matters. Our attorneys handle these cases regularly and can guide you through both.
Building a Strong Hit and Run Case
Even without a known defendant, there’s still meaningful work to do. Our team at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq in Newark can quickly gather the evidence your hit and run auto wreck case depends on, including:
- Surveillance footage from traffic cameras and nearby businesses
- Police and incident reports about the crash
- Witness statements we gather while memories are fresh
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
- Dashcam footage from nearby vehicles (if available)
Time also matters. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2 gives most personal injury victims in this state a two-year period from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. Our lawyers use that time to build the strongest possible case, whether it resolves through a UM claim or a lawsuit against a later-identified driver. We will never settle your case for less than it deserves.
Call Our Newark Attorneys About Your Hit and Run Auto Crash
Hit and run car accidents in Newark are complex, but the right legal team can help you decide how to proceed after your crash. Our team at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq is ready to support you and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to start a free case review.
