Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Smithtown

On Monday, a 37 year old man was struck by a Nissan in Lake Ave in St. James. The victim was a school teacher and coach for the Kings Park school district and was jogging around noon in the shoulder of the Lake Ave. As a result of the accident, the jogger was killed and the driver had fled the scene.

The alleged hit-and-run driver has been arrested and is facing trial for driving without a license, leaving the scene of the crime, and vehicular homicide.

Hit and Run accidents are scary. The idea of someone having the ability to cause harm and get away with it is infuriating. However, sometimes driver’s put themselves in dangerous situations when getting in a hit and run. While documenting as much information as possible is important, a persons safety is more important. And thankfully in situations like the one described above, more and more places can be traced with video footage. Here is what you should do if you are involved in a hit and run accident.

If You are in a Hit-and-Run Accident

• Pull Over. Do not chase the driver trying to escape. Now you are contributing to an unsafe driving environment.
• Call 911. Any time you are in an accident it is essential to call the police. But this is especially important for a hit and run so that a police report can be made and will benefit you should you need to make a claim with your insurance company.
• Record information. First write down everything you remember about the car that hit you. Any kind of details are helpful, but especially the license plate, model, make and color of the vehicle. Then record the damages on your car. It is very important to get good pictures from multiple angles. Sometimes the color of the car that hit you can be seen on dents and scratches of your car, make sure that is seen clearly.
• See if there are witnesses. The more information the better and witnesses can back up your story. They may even notice a detail that you weren’t able to notice. Make sure that witness information is recorded in the police report. If you were involved in a hit and run in a parking lot, investigate to see if there were any security cameras that may have recorded the incident.
• Assess yourself. The adrenaline and shock of a hit and run accident might distract you from noticing any injuries. So check your body for any injuries. If you feel any kind of pain it’s important that you seek medical attention right away. It might be worse than you initially thought.
• Contact your insurance company and file a claim. If you have collision coverage you should get reimbursed, but these types of accidents can be complicated. This is why you need a lawyer to help you.

Should you suffer an injury as a result of a hit and run accident there are ways to ensure that you receive payment of your medical bills, lost wages and even receive financial compensation for your injuries. However, the process is complicated and knowing which insurance company to file your claim with can be tricky. At Palermo Law, we dedicate ourselves to individuals that have suffered serious injuries so they can receive the justice they deserve.

About the Author

Steven Palermo is the managing partner for Palermo Law, Long Island’s Personal Injury Law Firm. He has been helping people receive compensation for their injuries for over 21 years. He focuses on cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents and slip and fall injuries.

His book The Ultimate Guide to Handling New York Car Accident Claims details the ins and outs of a car accident claim in a simple, easy-to-read manner.