According AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run collisions are increasing over the last couple of years. The current statistics show that a hit-and-run crash happens somewhere in the U.S. just about every 43 seconds. Unfortunately, when dealing with a hit-and-run collision, it may be more difficult to recover through the use of legal remedies.

In the best-case scenario, a hit-and-run victim finds the driver who caused the collision. However, the statistics show that often times, the driver is not found. If you are a driver that finds themselves in a hit-and-run situation, the first thing you should do is write down any information you can remember about the other vehicle. This may include the make, model, color, or if possible, the license plate number of the vehicle that has hit you. Additionally, it may help to take pictures of the overall scene, the accident location, or the vehicle itself. This may help the police in attempting to track down the other vehicle.

Although a driver may take every step to try and identify a hit-and-run driver, the reality is that hit-and-run drivers are seldom caught. Fortunately, for drivers who are hurt in the collision, New York still provides an opportunity to receive compensation through their own insurance company. Through New York State's no-fault law, a driver who is injured in a collision may recover compensation for their injuries and certain out-of-pocket losses through their own insurance company up to $50,000. In this situation, your insurance's no-fault or "personal injury protection" insurance pays your medical bills, lost income, and usually the cost of "replacement services" like household help, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Although the no-fault law applies to injuries sustained, it does not apply to property damage caused by a collision. In addition, you may be able to recover a sum of money for your pain and suffering from a sustained injury through your insurance policy's Uninsured Motorist coverage.