1. Hit and run causing injury | Client Background and Accident Overview
The client contacted a New York traffic accident defense attorney after learning that a hit and run causing injury report had been filed.
A pedestrian claimed injury. Because the allegation involved possible criminal liability, the situation required immediate review.
Accident circumstances and initial concerns
The client was driving through a residential street and turning onto a main road during the morning commute.
They did not feel or hear any impact. Several hours later, police notified the client that a pedestrian reported being struck by the side mirror.
The pedestrian insisted that the driver fled intentionally.
This created the risk of a hit and run causing injury charge. The client worked for a public corporation and feared disciplinary consequences if they were charged.
Why hit and run causing injury triggers major risk
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §600, drivers must stop and assist whenever an incident causes an injury.
If they fail to do so, they may face misdemeanor or even felony charges. Even a light impact may lead to an investigation. This makes fast legal action important.
2. Hit and run causing injury | Key Legal Issues
The defense lawyer examined whether the legal requirements for hit and run causing injury were met.
The central issue was whether the driver knew or reasonably should have known an impact occurred.
Core questions evaluated by the defense
▶ Did the client know about any collision?
The client reported no awareness of a strike.
▶ Did the pedestrian attempt to alert the driver?
Video evidence showed no effort to signal or stop the client’s vehicle.
▶ Was the injury serious enough to support criminal charges?
The injury was a minor sprain requiring about two weeks of treatment.
Evidence challenges and how they were resolved
The client’s dashboard camera was broken. Because of this, the defense team gathered footage from nearby vehicles.
A rear camera from a car ahead showed the pedestrian did not react or call out to the driver.
This supported the argument that the client could not have known an impact occurred.
3. Hit and run causing injury | Defense Strategy and Legal Application
The attorney developed two goals:
① Block the hit and run causing injury charge.
② Show that the injury itself did not justify criminal prosecution.
Blocking the elements of hit and run causing injury
New York law requires proof that a driver knew or should have known that an injury causing impact occurred.
In this case, the side mirror had no damage. Any contact, if it occurred, was minimal.
The pedestrian also made no effort to get the driver’s attention.
Based on this, the attorney argued that the driver could not have formed the necessary awareness for a hit and run causing injury charge.
Showing the injury did not support criminal liability
The pedestrian’s injury was a soft tissue sprain.
The client also had full insurance coverage.
The defense explained that the situation belonged in civil or insurance channels, not criminal court.
4. Hit and run causing injury | Outcome and Preventive Guidance
The police accepted the defense's position.
The case was closed without charges.
The client avoided criminal exposure and workplace consequences.
Final result
Police agreed that the client lacked awareness of any collision.
Because of this, the hit-and-run causing injury allegation could not be supported.
The injury claim was also not appropriate for criminal processing. As a result, the investigation ended with no charges filed.
Prevention insights
Small incidents can easily grow into hit-and-run causing injury investigations.
Miscommunication and lack of evidence often work against drivers.
Quick legal consultation helps clarify facts, organize evidence, and avoid escalation into a criminal matter.
24 Nov, 2025
