Short summary: A driver hit and killed a 51-year-old man near Bruckner Boulevard and Longwood Avenue in the Bronx late Tuesday night, then abandoned the car and fled. In New York, families generally still have options when a driver disappears, through your own uninsured motorist coverage or the state's fund for hit-and-run victims.
It happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police say a BMW heading north on Bruckner Boulevard hit two parked cars, struck the man as he crossed Longwood Avenue, then kept going.
The driver abandoned the BMW nearby, got into another vehicle, and drove off. No one has been arrested. NYPD is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers.
Why "the driver got away" doesn't mean the case is over
A lot of people assume that if the driver disappears, there's no one to hold responsible and no way to get help paying for what happened. That's generally not true in New York.
Your own auto policy likely includes uninsured motorist coverage, and it generally applies even when the driver who hit you was never identified. If you don't own a car, New York also runs a state fund built for exactly this situation.
What to do if you or a loved one was hit by a driver who fled
Report it right away
File a police report as soon as you can, ideally within 24 hours. That timing matters more than people realize when a driver can't be identified.
Get checked out, even if you feel okay
Adrenaline hides pain. See a doctor the same day, and start any physical therapy your provider recommends. That medical record becomes part of your proof later.
Call your own insurer, and get advice before you say much
You'll likely need to open an uninsured motorist claim. Before you give a recorded statement, it generally helps to know your rights first. Here's what to expect from that call.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
What if the hit-and-run driver is never caught?
You can generally still file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage, or through New York's fund for victims of unidentified drivers if you don't have a policy of your own. Here's how that process works.
How long do I have to file after a hit-and-run in New York?
Deadlines vary by situation, and some are shorter than people expect. That's exactly why it helps to get advice now rather than waiting.
Does it matter that I was a pedestrian and not driving?
No. Pedestrians hit by a car generally have the same right to file a claim as anyone else hurt in a crash. These are the steps that protect that claim.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: ABC7 New York.
