A boy and his father out for a walk on a Thursday afternoon suddenly became the victims of pedestrian accident in Harlem last month. The father and son were walking on the sidewalk near their home when a white BMW driven by an unknown individual sped up, jumped the curb, and plowed into them. Both victims were knocked through a gate and left stunned. To add insult to injury, the driver of the car then exited his vehicle and attacked the father before fleeing the scene of the accident.
Both were taken to a nearby hospital and admitted with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. NYPD officers responded but could not discover the identity of the driver. They police have asked anyone who may have any information to step forward.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult for victims of hit-and-run pedestrian accidents in New York City to get the compensation they deserve if the identity of driver and owner of the vehicle remain unknown. If the victims do not have a car of their own, they have the right to sue the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (a state agency) but the maximum an injured party can recover is $25,000. If the victims own a car or live in a household which owns a car, they can proceed against the insurance company for that car. How much they can recover depends on the amount coverage the owner purchased. If the identity of the hit and run driver/vehicle is learned, then the victims can only sue the driver and owner of that vehicle. If the vehicle is uninsured, then the victims will have to file a claim with the state or their insurance company depending on their individual circumstance.
Because bringing a claim against an unknown driver is not such a simple thing, you would be well advised to consult an expert pedestrian accident lawyer in New York City. Call the skilled and experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 without any further delay to schedule your free consultation.