Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Putnam County, NY
If you were injured in a hit and run accident in Putnam County, you are likely dealing with medical bills, lost income, and the frustration of not knowing the identity of the driver who caused the crash. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals injured in hit and run collisions throughout the Hudson Valley, including Carmel, Brewster, Cold Spring, and the surrounding communities. We pursue compensation from at-fault drivers when they are identified and help injured victims seek recovery through their own uninsured motorist coverage when the driver remains unknown. Call (888) 437-7747 today to schedule a consultation with a hit and run accident lawyer serving Putnam County, NY. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Hit and Run Accidents Mean for Injured Victims in Putnam County
Putnam County’s major highways — I-87, I-84, the Taconic State Parkway, and Route 9 — carry heavy traffic through a mix of rural and suburban areas. When a driver causes a collision and then flees the scene, the injured victim faces a uniquely difficult situation: medical treatment and vehicle repairs are needed immediately, yet the person responsible may be unidentified. New York’s no‑fault auto insurance system provides an initial safety net. After a crash, your own auto insurer pays for medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits, regardless of who was at fault. However, no‑fault coverage does not pay for pain and suffering or other non‑economic damages. To step outside the no‑fault system and bring a lawsuit against the at‑fault driver, you must meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in New York Insurance Law § 5102. Injuries such as a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body function, or an impairment that prevents you from performing daily activities for at least 90 days may satisfy that standard.
When the offending driver cannot be located, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes critical. Under New York law, a hit‑and‑run accident qualifies as an uninsured motorist event if the driver’s identity remains unknown after a police investigation and reasonable efforts to find the driver. UM coverage can compensate you for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, up to the limits of your policy. Any personal injury claim in New York is subject to pure comparative fault, meaning your recovery can be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). The New York Supreme Court in Putnam County, located at 20 County Center in Carmel, handles personal injury lawsuits.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Hit and Run Accident Cases in Putnam County
An effective response to a hit and run accident begins with prompt evidence preservation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work with accident reconstruction attorneys to analyze the scene, review police reports, gather surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, and locate witnesses who may have observed the fleeing vehicle. Identifying the driver is often the pivotal step; once the driver is found, we pursue compensation from the at‑fault party’s liability insurance. If the driver remains unknown, we build a thorough uninsured motorist claim with your own carrier, presenting medical records, wage statements, and proof of the damages you have suffered.
We handle all communications with insurance companies, including your no‑fault carrier and the at‑fault driver’s insurer when one is identified. Our team works to negotiate a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. When a settlement cannot be reached, we file a complaint in Putnam County Supreme Court and take the case through litigation. We handle these matters on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Every case is different, and we work toward a favorable outcome for each client. Results may vary.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997 and has built a multi‑state practice serving clients across New York and four other jurisdictions. A former prosecutor, Mr. Sris brings firsthand trial experience to personal injury cases. He testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel and over 4,739+ documented firm-wide results support the firm’s personal injury work. Results may vary. Working alongside him, a team of seasoned Of Counsel attorneys contributes to the firm’s ability to handle complex hit and run accident claims and to pursue the compensation injured clients need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a hit and run accident in Putnam County?
Your first priority is your health — seek medical attention right away, even if you do not believe you are seriously injured, because some conditions worsen over time. Call 911 to report the accident to the police and provide as much detail as you can about the fleeing vehicle, including its make, model, color, and license plate number if you saw it. Photograph the accident scene, your vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Gather contact information from anyone who witnessed the collision. Notify your own auto insurance company about the accident promptly. Then, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your options for recovering compensation.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a hit and run in New York?
New York law generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries, under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). If the claim involves a government entity or employee — for example, a municipal vehicle — a notice of claim must be served within 90 days of the incident. If the accident resulted in a fatality, the deadline for a wrongful death action is two years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney soon after the crash.
Can I still recover compensation if the hit‑and‑run driver is never found?
Yes, you may recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if the driver cannot be identified. New York treats a hit‑and‑run as an uninsured motorist event when the driver’s identity remains unknown despite a police investigation and reasonable efforts to locate the driver. UM coverage can pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits. You must report the accident to your insurer quickly and cooperate with the investigation. An attorney can help you navigate the UM claim process and seek the full compensation you deserve.
What does “serious injury” mean in a New York no‑fault case?
Under New York Insurance Law § 5102, a “serious injury” is defined as one that results in death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, a fracture, permanent loss of use of a body organ or function, permanent consequential limitation of a body function, or a medically determined impairment that prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts of daily living for at least 90 days during the 180 days following the injury. If your injuries meet this threshold, you may step outside the no‑fault system and sue the at‑fault driver for non‑economic damages, including pain and suffering.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost for a hit and run case?
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle hit and run accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we obtain compensation for you. In a contingency arrangement, the fee is a percentage of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no fee. Costs associated with the case, such as expert witness fees and court filing expenses, are typically advanced by the firm and reimbursed from the settlement or judgment. During an initial consultation, we discuss the fee structure and any costs you may be expected to contribute.
Do I need a lawyer after a hit and run accident?
While you are not required to hire a lawyer, having experienced legal representation can significantly strengthen your ability to obtain fair compensation, especially when the at‑fault driver is unknown. An attorney can investigate the accident to try to identify the driver, handle communications with your own insurance company and the at‑fault driver’s insurer, gather medical evidence, and present your claim for both economic and non‑economic damages. Without an attorney, you risk undervaluing your claim or missing important deadlines.
Related pages: Personal Injury Lawyer New York County (Manhattan) | Personal Injury Lawyer Kings County (Brooklyn) | Personal Injury Lawyer Queens County (Queens)