Short summary: A hit-and-run driver critically injured a 37-year-old pedestrian on Jamaica Avenue in Queens early Sunday morning and is still on the run. If this happens to you, you can generally still file a claim even without a driver, through your own uninsured motorist coverage and New York's no-fault system.
It happened around 3:11 a.m. at Jamaica Avenue and 186th Street. A man was crossing in the crosswalk when a black vehicle hit him and kept going, first east on Jamaica Avenue, then south on Hollis Avenue.
He's now in critical condition at Jamaica Hospital. NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is working the case, and so far, no arrests.
Why hit-and-runs feel different, and why the clock still runs
When the other driver stops, you have someone to point to. Their insurance, their name, their plate number.
When they don't stop, it can feel like there's nowhere to turn. That's not true, but it does change your path.
New York's no-fault system still applies to you as the injured person, regardless of who caused the crash or whether they're ever found. That coverage generally has to be claimed within 30 days.
Beyond no-fault, if you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy, and most New Yorkers do because it's required, you may be able to pursue a claim through your own insurer once the at-fault driver can't be identified or doesn't carry insurance.
What to do in the days right after
- Get to a doctor even if you feel okay. Adrenaline hides pain, and a same-day or next-day record matters later.
- File a police report if one hasn't already been taken, and get the report number.
- Ask if there's any nearby surveillance or traffic camera footage. It disappears fast, sometimes in days.
- Start your no-fault paperwork within 30 days. Don't wait to see if the driver turns up.
- Talk to someone about your UM coverage before you talk to any insurance adjuster.
If the driver is later caught
Sometimes hit-and-run drivers are identified days or weeks later, through tips, cameras, or a damaged vehicle. If that happens here, it doesn't erase your UM claim, it can actually strengthen your case and may open up a claim against the driver directly.
What this means if you're a Queens pedestrian
Jamaica Avenue is a wide, busy corridor, and pedestrians crossing it late at night are especially vulnerable. If you or someone you love is ever hit by a driver who takes off, treat the first 30 days like they matter, because they do.
Our guide on what to do when the driver disappears walks through the UM claim process step by step, and our first-hours checklist covers everything else you need to protect your claim.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
Can I file a claim if the police never find the driver?
Generally, yes. Your own no-fault coverage pays your medical bills regardless of who's at fault, and your uninsured motorist coverage can generally step in for pain and suffering and other losses once the driver is confirmed unidentified.
What if I don't have uninsured motorist coverage?
Most New York auto policies include it by law, but the amount varies. It's worth pulling out your policy or calling your insurer to check your limits before you need them.
How long do I have to file after a hit-and-run in New York?
No-fault paperwork generally needs to start within 30 days of the crash. Other deadlines, including for a UM claim, vary by situation, which is exactly why it helps to get advice now rather than after time has passed.
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: amNewYork.
