If a hit and run driver struck your vehicle or caused you injury in Clifton, you face unique challenges in recovering compensation. The responsible driver fled the scene, leaving you with medical bills, vehicle damage, and uncertainty about your future. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers investigates hit and run accidents throughout Clifton and Passaic County to identify the responsible driver.
We then pursue compensation through uninsured motorist claims and other legal avenues. Our attorneys have recovered millions for accident victims and stand ready to help you. Contact our Clifton office today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Hit and Run Case
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers brings over 55 years of experience in personal injury litigation to your hit and run case. Our attorneys have recovered over $535 million for accident victims, including millions in motor vehicle accident settlements and verdicts.
Our firm recovered $21.8 million for a child struck by a commercial vehicle, resulting in traumatic brain injury—one of the largest personal injury settlements in New Jersey history. We secured $7.225 million for a woman injured in a motor vehicle collision and $2.25 million for a man injured when his NJ Transit bus was struck from behind by a school bus. These case results demonstrate our firm’s commitment to recovering maximum compensation for our clients.
Our Clifton office, located at 481 Highland Ave., serves Passaic County and the surrounding areas. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no upfront fees, and we recover fees only if we secure compensation for you. Our thorough investigation and negotiation approach helps you recover compensation in hit and run cases.
Our Lawyers
Edward P. Capozzi, our firm’s founder and chair of the personal injury department, holds Certified Civil Trial Attorney status from the New Jersey Supreme Court and has earned Super Lawyers recognition since 2012. Edward achieved the 12th highest jury verdict in New Jersey for 2024, securing $2.799 million for a motor vehicle accident victim. He holds a lifetime membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and was inducted into the New Jersey Law Journal Hall of Fame in 2014.
Alex S. Capozzi, our partner, also holds Certified Civil Trial Attorney status and earned Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition. Alex achieved the 13th highest jury verdict in New Jersey for 2024, securing $2.75 million in a premises liability case. Alex earned recognition as one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 attorneys in the nation.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing their name, contact information, or insurance details to the other parties involved. New Jersey law requires drivers to remain at accident scenes and exchange information with other drivers, passengers, and property owners affected by the collision.
Under NJ Stat. Ann. § 39:4-129(a), drivers must stop at the scene of an accident, provide their name and address, show their driver’s license and insurance information, and render reasonable assistance to injured persons. Leaving the scene violates this statute and exposes the fleeing driver to criminal penalties, including fines and potential jail time.
Hit and run accidents create distinct legal challenges for victims. Unlike standard car accidents where you can identify the responsible driver and pursue their insurance claim, hit and run victims often lack the driver’s information. This complication makes uninsured motorist coverage and thorough investigation critical to your recovery.
How Hit and Run Accidents Differ from Standard Car Accidents
Hit and run accidents present obstacles that standard motor vehicle accident claims do not. When a driver remains at the scene, you obtain their insurance information immediately, allowing you to file a third-party liability claim against their policy. In hit and run cases, the responsible driver’s identity remains unknown, forcing you to pursue alternative compensation sources.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes your primary recovery avenue in hit and run accidents. Your own insurance policy’s UM coverage protects you when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or lacks insurance. Without identifying the responsible driver, you cannot pursue a traditional liability claim, making UM coverage essential.
Investigation becomes critical in hit and run cases. Police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and vehicle descriptions help identify the responsible driver. If investigators locate the driver, you may pursue a third-party liability claim against their insurance. If the driver remains unidentified, your UM claim provides compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The emotional toll of a hit and run accident compounds the legal complexity. Victims often feel violated by the driver’s decision to flee, adding frustration to their recovery process. Our attorneys understand this frustration and work to hold the responsible party accountable.
Investigating Your Hit and Run Accident Claim
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers‘s investigation team employs multiple strategies to identify hit and run drivers. We review surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and residential properties to capture vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers, and driver information. Witness statements provide crucial details about the vehicle’s make, model, color, and direction of travel.
We analyze police reports for investigative leads and cross-reference vehicle descriptions with local repair shops, body shops, and insurance claims. We reconstruct the accident timeline using accident scene evidence, medical records, and witness accounts. Our investigators interview witnesses thoroughly to extract details they may not have initially provided to police. This investigative process mirrors the approach detailed in our guide on how your legal team tracks down a hit and run driver.
Evidence preservation proves critical in hit and run investigations. We photograph accident scenes, document vehicle damage patterns, and preserve physical evidence that may identify the responsible vehicle. We work with law enforcement to access traffic camera footage and coordinate with insurance companies to identify potential matches.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Your Recovery Options
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you when an at-fault driver lacks insurance or cannot be identified. In hit and run accidents, UM coverage becomes your primary compensation source. Your insurance policy’s UM limits determine the compensation available through this coverage.
New Jersey requires all auto insurance policies to include UM coverage unless you specifically reject it in writing. UM coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages up to your policy’s UM limits. If your damages exceed your UM limits, you may pursue underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if your policy includes it.
Legal Options You Can Use
Your recovery options in a hit and run case include:
- Uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance policy for damages caused by the unidentified driver
- Hit and run victim compensation fund (available in some circumstances under New Jersey law)
- Third-party liability claim if investigators identify the responsible driver
- Underinsured motorist coverage if the identified driver’s insurance limits prove insufficient
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical expenses and lost wages (available under New Jersey’s no-fault system)
We handle negotiations with your insurance company to recover fair compensation for your UM claim. Insurance companies often undervalue UM claims, offering settlements far below what your case merits. Our attorneys present comprehensive evidence of your damages, including medical records, expert testimony, and documentation of lost income, to support settlement demands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents in Clifton
What should I do immediately after a hit and run accident?
Call 911 and report the accident to the police. Provide officers with detailed information about the other vehicle, including its make, model, color, and any visible license plate numbers. Document the accident scene with photographs and video if it is safe to do so. Gather contact information from witnesses who saw the collision. Seek medical attention for any injuries, even if symptoms seem minor. Contact your insurance company to report the accident. Consult with a personal injury attorney before providing recorded statements to insurance companies. For a comprehensive guide, see our article on what to do if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
How long do I have to file a hit and run claim in New Jersey?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in New Jersey. This statute of limitations applies to both uninsured motorist claims and third-party liability claims if the responsible driver is identified. Acting quickly preserves evidence, secures witness statements while memories remain fresh, and allows your attorney to conduct a thorough investigation. Delaying your claim risks losing critical evidence and weakening your case. Learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey.
Can I recover compensation if the driver is never found?
Yes. Your uninsured motorist coverage provides compensation even if the responsible driver is never identified. UM coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages up to your policy’s UM limits. If your damages exceed your UM limits and you have underinsured motorist coverage, that coverage may provide additional compensation. New Jersey also maintains a hit and run victim compensation fund in certain circumstances, though eligibility requirements apply.
What damages can I recover in a hit and run case?
You can recover compensation for medical expenses, including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. You recover lost wages for time away from work during recovery. Pain and suffering compensation addresses physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. You recover property damage for vehicle repair or replacement. If your injuries cause permanent disability or disfigurement, you recover compensation for these permanent effects. For more information, see our guide on claiming your lost wages.
How much is my hit and run settlement worth?
Your settlement value depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of medical treatment required, your lost income, the impact on your quality of life, and your insurance policy’s UM limits. Minor injuries with limited medical treatment may settle for several thousand dollars. Serious injuries requiring surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment may settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disability or disfigurement may exceed your UM policy limits. Our attorneys evaluate your specific circumstances to estimate your case’s value and pursue fair compensation. Learn more about how much to ask for in a personal injury settlement.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Free Hit and Run Consultation
Hit and run accidents leave victims frustrated, injured, and uncertain about their legal options. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers provides the representation and thorough investigation you need to recover compensation. Our certified civil trial attorneys have recovered millions for accident victims and understand the challenges hit and run cases present.
Our team of lawyers offers free consultations to discuss your accident, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we recover our fees only if we secure fair compensation for you. Our Clifton office serves Passaic County and surrounding areas, providing convenient access to experienced legal representation.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation. Call (973) 364-8300 or complete our online contact form to speak with a hit and run attorney in Clifton about your accident claim. Let our firm’s experience and dedication work for your recovery.
Related Posts
- How Your Legal Team Will Track Down a Hit and Run Driver
- Understanding New Jersey No-Fault Insurance Laws
- What to Do If You Are Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Determining Fault in a Car Accident
- Reporting a Car Accident to Insurance
We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
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