You’re riding down the street when a car veers too close to the bike lane and sideswipes you. The car continues on, past the green light, but you are thrown from your bike and onto the sidewalk. You did not see the driver’s license plate and you’re not sure what to do next. That raises the question, how do you deal with a hit and run as an NYC cyclist?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you own a vehicle, this process could be much easier. Often, standard uninsured motorist coverage will protect you after any incident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit and run driver.
Depending on the circumstances, this can apply even if you weren’t driving your car when you were hit. Additionally, you don’t necessarily need to be the vehicle’s primary driver. If you’re added as a driver to a vehicle in your household, you may be able to use the uninsured motorist coverage.
Other Options
If you don’t have your own coverage, it’s important to use witness testimony to your advantage. If you’ve been injured by a hit and run driver, ask if anyone nearby got their license plate number or if there are any security cameras around that may have witnessed the incident. If you are severely injured, consider having someone call the NYPD to report the vehicle description and the direction they were traveling.
Whether you’re left to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, it is wise to discuss your case with an experienced auto injury attorney. An attorney can help determine your eligibility for making an uninsured driver claim with your motor vehicle insurance and can examine the evidence surrounding the crash to help you pursue justice and make a smoother recovery.
If you were hit by a negligent driver, you deserve legal representation from a team you can trust. If you’d like an experienced New York City injury accident attorney from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices to evaluate your case, don’t hesitate to call us at (718) 690-3132 or send us an email.