Recovering Compensation After a Hit and Run in Freehold and Monmouth County
When another driver causes a crash and flees, the costs of the accident fall on you. Noonan & McMahon, LLC helps hit-and-run victims throughout Freehold and Monmouth County pursue full compensation for their injuries, even when the at-fault driver is never found. Our Freehold car accident lawyers work with your insurance company, track down evidence, and pursue every available source of recovery, from uninsured motorist coverage to a claim against the driver once police identify them. We handle the legal process so you can focus on healing.
Why Choose Noonan & McMahon, LLC?
A hit-and-run claim is rarely as simple as a typical car accident case. It often means dealing with your own insurer, proving how the crash happened without the other driver present, and meeting strict deadlines. Our team brings the experience and persistence these cases demand, and we’re prepared to take your case to trial if an insurer won’t offer what it’s worth. From the first call to the final resolution, you’ll work directly with an attorney who knows your case.
- More than 40 years of combined experience handling car accident and injury claims across Monmouth County
- Skilled at building hit-and-run claims and pursuing uninsured motorist (UM) coverage when the at-fault driver flees or can’t be identified
- We investigate aggressively to track down the responsible driver, drawing on police reports, traffic and surveillance footage, and witness statements
- Experienced in dealing with your own insurer, who may downplay or delay a hit-and-run claim, so you aren’t fighting that battle alone
- Free, confidential consultations with an attorney
- No upfront costs, because we only get paid when we recover compensation for you
From our office in the heart of Freehold, we have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Monmouth County. We give every case personal attention, and we treat the people we represent with compassion and respect.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run in Freehold?
If you are involved in a hit and run, your safety comes first. Move to a safe spot if you can and call 911 right away so police can respond, document the scene, and begin searching for the driver who fled.
While you wait, gather as much information as possible. Photograph the scene, the damage to your vehicle, and any visible injuries. Write down anything you noticed about the other vehicle, such as its color, make, model, or part of the license plate. If anyone saw the crash, ask for their name and contact information, because witness accounts can be critical when the driver is unidentified. Hit-and-run crashes often involve pedestrians and bicyclists, who are especially vulnerable when a driver leaves the scene.
Seek medical care promptly, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, may not appear for hours or days. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates a record that connects your injuries to the crash. New Jersey law also requires drivers to stop, share their information, and report an accident, so notifying police about the hit and run is an important step in protecting your claim.
Can You Recover Compensation if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?
Yes. In New Jersey, hit-and-run victims can often recover compensation through their own auto insurance, even when the driver who caused the crash is never identified.
New Jersey requires every standard auto policy to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and state law treats a hit-and-run vehicle as an uninsured vehicle. That means your own policy may step in to cover your losses for bodily injury when the at-fault driver flees and cannot be located. A UM claim can cover medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage also helps right away. PIP pays for your medical treatment regardless of who caused the crash, so your care does not have to wait while police look for the other driver.
Recovering for damage to your vehicle works differently. When the fleeing driver is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage does not pay for vehicle damage, so collision coverage is usually the way to repair your car. We review your policy to identify every benefit available to you.
What Happens if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Later Identified?
Police sometimes track down a fleeing driver days or weeks after the crash, using camera footage, witness descriptions, or vehicle debris left behind. If the driver is found and carries insurance, you can pursue a personal injury claim directly against them and their insurer for your injuries and losses.
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover as long as you were not more at fault than the other driver, though your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover. Insurers often try to shift blame onto victims, which is one reason it helps to have an attorney protecting your side of the story.
How Long Do You Have to File a Hit and Run Claim in New Jersey?
In most New Jersey injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing that deadline can permanently end your right to compensation. Uninsured motorist claims also carry their own notice requirements and time limits under your policy, so it is wise to act quickly. The sooner you reach out, the more time we have to gather evidence, work with your insurer, and build a strong claim.
Talk to a Freehold Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Today
A hit and run can leave you with serious injuries and unanswered questions, but you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Noonan & McMahon, LLC is available to review your case, explain your options, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact Noonan & McMahon, LLC for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a hit and run illegal in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey law requires any driver involved in an accident to stop, share their information, and report the crash to police. Leaving the scene is a serious offense that can lead to fines, license suspension, and criminal charges, especially when someone is injured.
What is uninsured motorist coverage, and do I already have it?
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when you are injured by a driver who has no insurance or who flees the scene. New Jersey requires this coverage on every standard auto policy, so if you carry a standard policy, you likely already have uninsured motorist protection that can apply to a hit and run.
Do I need a lawyer for a hit and run claim?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but these claims can be difficult. You may be dealing with your own insurer, proving fault without the other driver present, and meeting strict deadlines. An experienced attorney can handle the insurance company, gather evidence, and work to maximize your recovery.