Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Saratoga County, NY
If you or a family member were hurt when a driver fled the scene, a civil personal injury claim may be the only way to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and the pain you have endured. This page addresses the rights of injured people pursuing a hit and run accident claim in Saratoga County, New York—not the defense of a driver charged with leaving the scene. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent individuals and families across Saratoga County, including Ballston Spa, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Malta, Halfmoon, Mechanicville, Wilton, and Stillwater, in claims arising from hit and run collisions. We work to hold fleeing drivers accountable and to secure compensation through all available sources, including uninsured motorist coverage. To speak with our team about your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What a Hit and Run Accident Means in Saratoga County
A hit and run accident in Saratoga County occurs when a driver involved in a collision fails to stop, provide information, or render reasonable assistance as required by New York law. For the injured person, the immediate challenges go beyond the injuries themselves. When the at-fault driver cannot be identified, the normal path to compensation—filing a claim against that driver’s insurance—becomes blocked. In those situations, New York’s legal framework offers alternative avenues, and pursuing them effectively calls for a thorough understanding of both insurance law and the local court system.
Most motor vehicle injury claims in New York begin with a no-fault insurance claim through your own auto policy, regardless of who caused the accident. No-fault pays for economic losses such as medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but it does not cover pain and suffering. To step outside the no-fault system and seek full damages from the at-fault party, the injured person must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold defined in Insurance Law § 5102. Cases that satisfy that threshold may be filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, which has unlimited monetary jurisdiction. In Saratoga County, that means the Saratoga County Supreme Court, located at 30 McMaster Street in Ballston Spa. The court handles pretrial conferences, compliance conferences, and trials in personal injury matters.
A personal injury claim arising from a motor vehicle accident in New York must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.
Source: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). New York State Senate Legislation
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
When the driver who caused the crash cannot be found, an uninsured motorist claim is often the most direct route to compensation. Uninsured motorist coverage is a standard part of every New York auto insurance policy and provides benefits equal to the policy’s bodily injury limits, subject to a set-off for any no-fault payments already received. The claim must be pursued within the same three-year period, and the insurance carrier must be given prompt notice of the accident. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handle every phase of these claims, from gathering evidence at the accident scene through litigation against the insurance carrier if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Hit and Run Accident Cases
Every hit and run case begins with a thorough investigation. Even when the driver is unknown, evidence often remains: security camera footage from nearby businesses, debris from the fleeing vehicle, paint transfer, and eyewitness accounts. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. work with accident reconstruction attorneys and investigators to identify the at-fault driver when possible. If the driver is found, a claim may be brought directly against that driver and their insurance carrier. If the driver remains unknown, we shift the focus to the client’s own uninsured motorist coverage and pursue a claim that fully documents the injuries and the financial impact on the client’s life.
Throughout the process, we handle the procedural steps that the Saratoga County court system requires. That includes filing the appropriate pleadings, managing discovery, and placing the case on the trial calendar by filing a Note of Issue. Our team prepares every case as though it will go to trial, which often leads to a more favorable resolution at the settlement stage. We also address the interaction between no-fault benefits and any third-party recovery, ensuring that subrogation liens are properly resolved so that the client receives the net recovery they are entitled to. The firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fee is charged unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing law since founding the firm in 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings extensive trial experience to civil litigation and understands how insurance companies evaluate claims. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and leads a team of Of Counsel attorneys who bring over 120 years of combined legal experience to personal injury matters, backed by 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a hit and run accident claim in Saratoga County?
A personal injury claim arising from a motor vehicle accident in New York must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. This deadline is set by N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) and applies equally to claims against a known at-fault driver and to uninsured motorist claims against your own insurance carrier. If a government vehicle was involved, a notice of claim must be served within 90 days. Missing the deadline can forever bar your right to compensation. To protect your claim, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 as soon as possible after a hit and run accident.
What should I do after a hit and run accident in Saratoga County?
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine, and report the accident to the police. Obtain a copy of the police report, which will document that the other driver fled. Take photographs of the damage, any visible injuries, and the accident location. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. Notify your auto insurance company of the accident promptly. Then contact an attorney who can begin securing evidence—such as nearby surveillance footage—before it is lost. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
How much does a hit and run accident lawyer cost?
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel accept hit and run accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless we obtain a recovery for you. The fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover, so there is no upfront cost to hire the firm. In addition to attorney fees, case expenses such as investigation costs and expert witness fees are typically advanced by the firm and reimbursed from the recovery. To learn more about how a contingency fee arrangement would work in your situation, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Can I recover damages if the hit and run driver is never found?
Yes, you may recover compensation through the uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy. New York requires every auto policy to include uninsured motorist coverage, and this coverage applies when an at-fault driver cannot be identified. The claim is brought against your own insurance company, and the available coverage is equal to your bodily injury liability limits. New York’s serious injury threshold still applies, and the insurance carrier must be given timely notice of the accident. An experienced attorney can help you build a complete damages presentation even when the at-fault driver is unknown.
Do I need a lawyer for a hit and run accident in Saratoga County?
You are not required to have an attorney, but handling a hit and run claim without legal representation can be difficult because of the complex interaction between no-fault benefits, uninsured motorist claims, and the serious injury threshold. Insurance carriers may dispute whether your injuries meet the threshold or whether the accident was properly reported. An attorney can gather the evidence needed to prove your claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
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Our New York location serves clients in Saratoga County and throughout the Capital District. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. is located at 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400, Office No. 142, Buffalo, NY 14202. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747.
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