There are no official statistics about hit-and-run incidents, but they are some of the most troubling kinds of personal injuries; caused by someone who runs away from the responsibility of making sure that the victim can get medical attention and help.
Even if the perpetrator of a hit-and-run escapes legal responsibility from causing a crash, there are still recourses for Ulster County residents who have been affected. Give us a call at 845-600-0000 to schedule a free personal injury consultation in Kingston, NY with our team of personal injury attorneys who can help you navigate your options for receiving full compensation for your hit-and-run injuries.
First, let’s take a look at how many hit and run incidents were reported on in Ulster County, either by news outlets or in police press releases:
2024 Hit and Runs in Ulster County
- Marlborough – A woman from Newburgh committed a hit and run crash that killed two people crossing the roadway in the Town of Marlborough.
- Woodstock – A 68 year old bicyclist was struck by a pickup truck driver who then fled the scene of the crash on Route 375. The bicyclist was sent to the hospital in critical condition.
- Saugerties – A couple were convicted in a fatal hit and run crash that killed a 21 year old pedestrian on Route 9W.
- New Paltz – A driver from Gardiner committed a hit and run that killed a SUNY New Paltz student who was walking along Route 208.
- Kingston – A man from Lake Katrine was driving a Ford Explorer, and rear-ended a Honda Odyssey on Albany Avenue in a hit-and-run; luckily, there were no injuries.
- Highland – A Newburgh man struck a 30 year old man from New York City with his car, which caused severe leg injuries, and then fled the scene.
2023 Hit and Runs in Ulster County
- Rosendale – A man from Poughkeepsie suffered what were thankfully minor injuries after his car was struck from behind, and then went into a ditch and hit trees on the shoulder of the Thruway. The initiator of the crash fled the scene.
- Esopus – A bicyclist was struck by a motorcyclist in Esopus, and was hospitalized with minor abrasions.
2022 Hit and Runs in Ulster County
- Wallkill – A black jeep with yellow New York plates “tailgated, rearended and rammed up onto the sidewalk” another driver.
- Gardiner – In what possibly could be a related incident to the hit-and-run in Wallkill, a young woman in a Nissan Sentra was forced into a small pond and overturned.
2021 Hit and Runs in Ulster County
- Rochester – A 25 year old man from Kingston hit a man from Accord in the Town of Rochester with his vehicle and left the scene; the unconscious victim had to be transported via medevac to the hospital.
- Kingston – Kingston Police investigated a hit and run incident that occurred in Uptown Kingston in April; the vehicle appeared to be a Toyota 4-Runner.
Legal Options for Ulster County Hit-and-Run Victims
Even if the driver who hit you fled the scene, you still have a number of legal options to recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more:
- No-Fault laws: New York is a no-fault state, so whether you were in a car, on a bicycle, or walking down the street, your own auto insurance or that of a household member will cover your initial medical bills or lost wages, up to $50,000. This includes up to $2,000 a month for up to three years for lost wages, up to $25 per day a year for reasonable expenses, and various medical and rehabilitation expenses.
- Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Fund: If you were on a bicycle or were a pedestrian, and you or a household member don’t own a car with its own insurance, you still may be able to apply for MVAIC compensation, which is a New York State non-profit that assists hit-and-run victims.
What to do After Being in a Hit-and-Run Crash
Even if the driver got away, documenting the conditions and circumstances of the crash and resulting injuries are critical. The driver may eventually be identified, which will greatly increase the chances of recovering damages from their insurance.
- Call 911 – A police report will help lay the groundwork for future legal action and insurance claims
- Seek medical attention – Even if you don’t feel too bad, it’s critical to get a baseline quickly after a crash
- Gather evidence, if possible and within reason – If you or a trusted person can take photos of the scene, photos of any vehicle damage or skid marks on the road, injuries or any left-behind debris
- Talk to witnesses – Exchanging contact information with anyone who witnesses the crash could come in handy later
- Consult a Kingston personal injury attorney – Call us at 845-600-0000 to set up a free personal injury consultation.