Queens Hit and Run Lawyer

When a driver hits you and speeds away, the panic sets in fast. You don't have a name, an insurance card, or a plate number — and you may be hurt. If you or someone you love was injured in a hit-and-run accident in Queens, you need a Queens hit and run lawyer who knows how to pursue compensation even when the other driver is gone. The Orlow Firm has been recovering compensation for Queens hit-and-run victims since 1982. We know the courts, the neighborhoods, and the investigation resources that make a difference in these cases.

Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation | Se Habla Español

A hit-and-run isn't just a driver making a bad decision. It's a crime under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600. Every driver involved in a collision is legally required to stop, exchange their name, address, license number, and insurance information, render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, and call police if there are injuries. When that driver runs instead, they've violated a specific legal duty that gives you strong grounds for recovery.

Our analysis of NYC Open Data Motor Vehicle Collisions records shows Queens recorded over 152,000 motor vehicle crashes from 2019 through 2025, second only to Brooklyn among all five boroughs. Northern Boulevard had 2,330 crashes over that period, the most of any Queens corridor. Queens Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue round out the most dangerous roads, with Roosevelt having the highest fatality rate per crash. Neighborhoods like Jamaica, South Queens, Jackson Heights, and Flushing see the borough's heaviest crash concentrations, and hit-and-run incidents are common on busy commercial corridors.

The driver who hit you doesn't escape civil liability by running. Whether they're ever found or not, New York law gives you multiple pathways to recover compensation, and our attorneys know how to use all of them.

New York Law: What the Driver Was Required to Do

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600, leaving the scene of an accident is far more serious than most people realize. The penalties go up depending on what happened:

• Property damage only — traffic infraction, up to 15 days in jail and a $250 fine
• Personal injury — Class A misdemeanor, up to one year in jail
• Serious physical injury — Class E felony, up to four years in prison and a $1,000-$5,000 fine
• Death — Class D felony, up to seven years in prison and a $2,000-$5,000 fine

The driver's decision to flee is also evidence of consciousness of guilt, and our attorneys will use that in building your civil case. Two separate legal tracks run at the same time: the Queens County District Attorney's Office can prosecute the driver criminally, while you pursue civil damages independently. A criminal prosecution can produce surveillance footage, police investigation records, and forensic analysis that strengthens your civil claim.

New York's legislature has recognized the severity of hit-and-run crashes. "Nick's Law" (Senate Bill S3639, introduced 2025) proposed increasing penalties to a Class B felony when a hit-and-run results in death. "Alix's Law" addressed cases where drivers flee after driving under the influence. These reform efforts show that hit-and-run crashes are a serious and growing problem in New York City.

Steven Orlow, our founding partner and Cornell Law graduate, served as a former Assistant District Attorney in Kings County and as Counsel to the Queens County Executive. That background gives our firm a real understanding of how criminal and civil cases interact.

What to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Queens Hit and Run

The first two days after a hit-and-run are the most important for preserving your right to compensation. Evidence disappears fast.

At the scene:

1. Call 911 immediately. Even if you think your injuries are minor, a police report is required for MVAIC claims and supports your insurance claim. NYPD will file a report even without a plate number.
2. Capture everything you can. Photograph the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, the road conditions, and any skid marks. Note the direction the fleeing vehicle traveled, its color, make, model, any visible damage, and even a partial plate number if possible.
3. Find witnesses. Get names and contact information from anyone who saw the crash. In busy Queens neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Corona, and Jamaica, there are often bystanders who saw what happened.
4. Note nearby cameras. Scan for business surveillance cameras, ATMs, and traffic infrastructure within a block or two of the accident site.

In the hours that follow:

• Seek medical care, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask serious injury. Documentation of your injuries begins at the emergency room. A gap in treatment creates problems later.
• Do not give recorded statements to your insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are not your advocates.
• Do not repair your vehicle yet. The damage to your car may show paint transfer or contact marks from the fleeing vehicle. That's physical evidence for the uninsured motorist claim.
• Contact an attorney immediately. Your MVAIC notice deadline is 90 days. Security camera footage is overwritten in as few as 72 hours.

Call (646) 647-3398 — our team starts the investigation immediately.

Who Pays You When the Driver Is Gone: Your Compensation Pathways

The most urgent question after a hit-and-run is: can I actually get compensated? The answer is yes. The pathway depends on your insurance situation and the facts of your case.

Pathway 1: Your Own No-Fault (PIP) Coverage

New York is a no-fault insurance state. Even if the driver fled, your own auto insurer pays your initial medical bills and 80% of your lost wages, up to $2,000 per month for up to three years. The total no-fault benefit is capped at $50,000. You must apply within 30 days of the accident.

No-fault doesn't cover pain and suffering. To recover for those losses, you must meet New York's "serious injury" threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). That means a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of use of a body part, significant limitation of use, or a 90/180-day disability. Our attorneys assess this threshold in every case review.

Pathway 2: Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

New York requires all auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage, with a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. UM coverage applies when the driver who hit you is unidentified (as in a hit-and-run) or uninsured. Optional SUM (supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage can raise these limits to $250,000/$500,000.

The physical contact rule: Under New York Insurance Law § 3420, a UM claim for an unidentified hit-and-run driver requires proof of actual physical contact between the fleeing vehicle and you or your vehicle. A "phantom vehicle" that caused you to swerve without touching you generally does not qualify. If you were physically struck, this requirement is met. If contact is unclear, corroborating witness statements or other evidence can sometimes support your claim. Note that this rule was scheduled for potential modification — [VERIFY DATE: check whether the June 30, 2026 repeal date for the physical contact rule under § 3420 has been enacted or extended].

UM claims are resolved through arbitration with your own insurance company, not a lawsuit against the unknown driver.

Pathway 3: MVAIC — The Safety Net for the Uninsured

If you have no applicable auto insurance because you don't own a car and no household family member has a policy, you may be eligible for MVAIC, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation. Created by New York State law, MVAIC acts as a last-resort insurer for people without other coverage.

MVAIC provides up to $50,000 in no-fault benefits plus $25,000/$50,000 in bodily injury coverage. To qualify, you must be a New York City resident at the time of the accident, have no available auto insurance, and not be the owner of an uninsured vehicle.

The process has strict deadlines. For a hit-and-run accident, you must file a Notice of Intention (NOI) with MVAIC within 90 days. Your no-fault application is due within 30 days. Filing a lawsuit against MVAIC requires court approval. Miss any of these deadlines and your claim can be lost entirely.

We file MVAIC claims regularly. The deadlines are real and unforgiving. That's exactly why calling an attorney right away matters.

Pathway 4: Direct Lawsuit (If the Driver Is Found)

If NYPD identifies the driver through surveillance footage, license plate reader data, a witness tip, or ongoing investigation, you can sue them directly. Recovery depends on their insurance coverage and assets. If they're uninsured, we can still pursue a judgment and explore enforcement options.

How We Investigate Hit-and-Run Cases in Queens

The difference between a successful hit-and-run claim and a dead end is often how quickly and thoroughly the investigation begins. Our team doesn't wait.

We move on camera footage within hours. Business security systems at stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and ATMs are the best source of hit-and-run footage in Queens. Most systems overwrite footage within 72 hours. We send investigators to canvass the area immediately and issue preservation letters before evidence is lost.

We submit FOIL requests to NYPD and NYC DOT. The Freedom of Information Law gives us access to traffic camera data and intersection recordings. While NYC DOT's 220-plus traffic cameras mainly stream rather than record, some do capture usable footage. We know which Queens corridors have the best camera coverage and how to request that material quickly.

We work the license plate reader network. NYPD operates automated license plate readers throughout Queens, on Jamaica Avenue, Northern Boulevard, Queens Boulevard, and other major corridors. These readers log every plate that passes. If the fleeing vehicle traveled through a monitored area shortly after the crash, that record may still exist.

We look beyond police records. Rideshare and taxi vehicles operating in Queens often have dash cameras. Nearby residents may have doorbell cameras or dashcams on parked vehicles. Community Facebook groups and Nextdoor posts in neighborhoods like Jamaica, Flushing, and South Queens sometimes surface witnesses or footage that never made it to police.

We coordinate with criminal proceedings. When NYPD's Accident Investigation Squad responds to serious injury or fatal crashes, they collect evidence that may be available through the DA's office. We monitor criminal case developments and use that material in the civil case when possible.

We analyze your vehicle. Paint transfer, impact angle, and the height of contact marks on your car can help narrow down the type of vehicle involved. This physical evidence supports both identification efforts and the physical contact element of a UM claim.

Compensation Available to Hit-and-Run Victims in Queens

What you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the insurance pathways available, and whether the driver is identified.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future treatment costs
• Lost wages, past and future, including reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous work
• Property damage, including repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Out-of-pocket costs such as transportation to medical appointments and home modifications for disability

Non-Economic Damages

If your injuries meet New York's serious injury threshold, you can also recover:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress — anxiety, PTSD, and fear of driving are documented consequences of hit-and-run accidents
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement and permanent scarring
• Loss of consortium, meaning the impact on your relationship with a spouse or partner

Wrongful Death

If a hit-and-run accident took a family member's life, New York's wrongful death law (EPTL § 5-4) allows surviving family members to recover pecuniary losses. That includes lost financial support and loss of parental guidance for children. New York lawmakers have proposed expanding wrongful death recovery to include grief and emotional loss — legislation that has passed both chambers but has not yet been signed into law.

A note on limits: When the driver is unidentified, UM policy limits cap your recovery. If the driver is identified and insured, their policy limits apply. A direct lawsuit against an identified driver carries no policy cap. Finding the driver can meaningfully change the value of your case.

Our attorneys have recovered millions for Queens motor vehicle accident victims over four decades. Among our results:

$1,200,000 — An 83-year-old pedestrian who was struck and suffered multiple fractures.

$997,997 — A taxi driver hit head-on by a truck who required back surgery.

$750,000 — A passenger in a work vehicle who sustained neck and back injuries requiring surgery.

$675,000 — A driver rear-ended by a tractor trailer, requiring arthroscopic surgery on both shoulders.

$250,000 — An elderly woman struck while crossing the street who required hip fracture surgery.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Why Queens Hit-and-Run Victims Choose The Orlow Firm

Our office at 71-18 Main Street in Queens has been open since 1982. We've handled motor vehicle accident cases on Queens Boulevard, Jamaica Avenue, Northern Boulevard, and the dense residential streets of Astoria, Elmhurst, and Richmond Hill. We know the hospitals where our clients are treated: Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens in Elmhurst, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens.

Adam Moses Orlow, Managing Partner and former President of the Queens County Bar Association (2022-2023), brings local legal leadership that matters when dealing with Queens County Supreme Court and the Queens DA's office. Brian Seth Orlow brings 25+ years of personal injury experience. As a family firm, your case is handled by a partner from start to finish, not passed off to junior associates.

We represent clients in English and Spanish. We have four NYC office locations, and if you cannot come to us, we can come to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Queens Hit-and-Run Accidents

How long do I have to file a claim after a hit-and-run accident in Queens?

Multiple deadlines run at the same time. Your no-fault application is due within 30 days of the accident. If you need MVAIC coverage, you must file a Notice of Intention within 90 days. The general personal injury statute of limitations is three years. Missing the MVAIC deadline can eliminate your claim — contact an attorney immediately.

What if the police never find the driver who hit me?

You still have options. If you have auto insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage applies. If you have no applicable policy, MVAIC may provide compensation. Our attorneys continue investigating even after initial police efforts stall — new leads emerge, and camera footage sometimes surfaces days after an accident.

Can I still get compensation if I don't have car insurance?

Yes. If you have no auto insurance and no household family member has a policy, you may be eligible for MVAIC, New York State's safety net for uninsured accident victims. MVAIC provides no-fault benefits and bodily injury coverage. Eligibility and deadlines are strict — an attorney should file your Notice of Intention as soon as possible.

What does "physical contact" mean for my uninsured motorist claim?

Under New York Insurance Law § 3420, a UM claim for an unidentified hit-and-run driver requires proof of actual physical contact between the fleeing vehicle and you or your vehicle. A "phantom vehicle" that causes you to swerve without touching you generally does not qualify without strong corroborating witness evidence. If you were physically struck, this requirement is satisfied.

What if a hit-and-run driver hit me while I was on foot or riding a bike?

Pedestrians and cyclists have the same recovery options as drivers. Your own auto insurance policy covers you as a pedestrian or cyclist under the UM provisions. If you have no policy, MVAIC covers pedestrians and cyclists hit by unidentified or uninsured vehicles. Physical contact requirements still apply to UM and MVAIC claims.

Can I get a police report if the driver fled and I have no plate number?

Yes. Call 911 and report the accident. NYPD will respond and file an Accident Report even without identifying the other vehicle. That report number is required to file no-fault benefits, uninsured motorist claims, and MVAIC applications. File the report immediately — do not wait.

What happens if the hit-and-run driver is found but has no insurance?

Your own uninsured motorist coverage applies to identified-but-uninsured drivers, not only to drivers who flee. You can also file a direct lawsuit against the uninsured driver. Collecting on a judgment from someone without assets can be challenging, but the threat of a civil judgment sometimes motivates settlement. We evaluate all options in every case.

How long does a Queens hit-and-run case typically take to resolve?

Timelines vary by pathway. MVAIC claims typically resolve in six to eighteen months. Uninsured motorist arbitrations generally take twelve to twenty-four months. If the driver is identified and litigation is needed, a case may take two to four years if it goes to trial. Cases that settle — which is the majority — resolve faster.

Contact a Queens Hit and Run Lawyer Today

If you've been injured in a hit-and-run accident anywhere in Queens — Jamaica, Flushing, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Corona, or anywhere else in the borough — the clock is already running on your MVAIC notice deadline, and camera footage is being overwritten right now.

Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation with an experienced Queens hit and run attorney. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Se Habla Español | Four NYC office locations | We can come to you

Sources

New York Laws Cited

1. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600 — Leaving Scene of an Incident Without Reporting
2. New York Insurance Law § 3420 — Liability Insurance; Uninsured Motorist and Physical Contact Rule
3. New York Insurance Law § 5102(d) — Serious Injury Threshold Definitions
4. New York EPTL § 5-4.3 — Wrongful Death Damages

Proposed Legislation

5. NY Senate Bill S3639 — Nick's Law (2025), proposed Class B felony for fatal hit-and-run

Insurance & Coverage Requirements

6. NY DFS — Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
7. NY DFS — No-Fault Insurance FAQ
8. MVAIC — Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation

Traffic Data

9. NYPD Traffic Data — Leaving the Scene Statistics
10. NYC Open Data — Motor Vehicle Collisions (Crashes)

Data Methodology Borough and neighborhood breakdowns were calculated by The Orlow Firm's research team from publicly available NYC Open Data records. Motor Vehicle Collisions – Crashes (NYC Open Data, 2019–2025) data is published at the individual crash level with borough and zip code fields. We aggregated these records to produce the Queens-specific statistics cited above, as city agencies do not publish pre-calculated borough-level totals for all metrics.