Hit-and-run crashes leave a kind of bruise that does not show up on an X-ray. On top of the pain and the bills, there is the maddening unfairness of someone hurting you and just driving off into their night while you are stuck living with the damage.
You deserve better than that, and you deserve a lawyer who treats your case like it matters.
At the Reinartz Law Firm, our New Jersey hit and run accident lawyer team helps injured people across Hackensack and the rest of the state get answers, identify the people responsible when possible, and recover from every insurance source the law allows.
We have stood across the table from the biggest carriers in the country, and we know how to make them pay attention.
You cannot undo what happened. You can decide who fights for you next. Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation by phone, video, or in person.
Why Choose Reinartz Law Firm for Your Hit and Run Case
When the driver who hit you takes off, the case becomes more complicated, but far from hopeless. We bring a focused, hands-on approach to every claim and treat your recovery like it matters, because it does.
Here is what sets our New Jersey hit and run accident attorney team apart:
- Trial-tested experience. Founding attorney Richard Reinartz spent over a decade at two of the most prestigious firms in the country before launching our practice. He has handled high-stakes cases on both sides of the courtroom.
- Recognized results. Richard is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell, a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2010.
- Hands-on attention. You work directly with the lawyers handling your case, not a rotating cast of paralegals. We answer questions, return calls, and keep you informed.
- No fee unless we win. You pay nothing up front. If we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
- Local roots. Based in Hackensack, we know the roads, the courts, the local police departments, and the medical providers our clients rely on every day.
A hit and run case demands a lawyer who will dig in, investigate aggressively, and refuse to take "we can't find the driver" as the end of the story. Call us today and let us show you what real advocacy looks like.
What Counts as a Hit and Run in New Jersey
Under New Jersey law, drivers must stop after a crash that involves injury, death, or property damage. They must also share their information and render reasonable assistance.
When a driver leaves before doing those things, it becomes a hit and run, sometimes called "leaving the scene of an accident."
The relevant statute, N.J.S.A. 39:4-129, spells out a driver's duties after a crash. Violating that statute can lead to criminal charges, license suspension, fines, and in serious injury cases, prison time.
Common hit and run scenarios we see include:
- A driver rear-ends another car and speeds off into traffic
- A vehicle clips a pedestrian in a crosswalk and keeps going
- A motorist sideswipes a parked car and never leaves a note
- A truck merges into a motorcyclist's lane and continues down the highway
- A rideshare or delivery driver flees after a low-speed collision
No matter how the crash happened, leaving the scene does not erase the driver's responsibility. It simply creates more work to identify them and hold them accountable.
Common Injuries in New Jersey Hit and Run Crashes
Hit and run crashes often leave victims with serious harm, partly because the at-fault driver did not slow down or take steps to limit damage. We have helped clients recover from a wide range of injuries, from soft-tissue trauma to life-altering catastrophic injuries.
Injuries we frequently see in hit and run cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, and chronic back pain
- Broken bones, including complex fractures requiring surgery
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Severe lacerations and permanent scarring
- Burn injuries from post-crash fires
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress
Recovery from these injuries can take months or years, and the medical bills add up quickly. We work to make sure every category of harm is documented and included in your claim.
How Our New Jersey Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Team Investigates
A successful hit-and-run claim usually rises or falls on the quality of the investigation. The faster we get involved, the more options we have. Evidence disappears, witnesses move on, and surveillance footage gets recorded over within days.
Our investigation typically includes:
- Police report review. We obtain the official crash report and follow up with detectives if the case is open.
- Surveillance footage. We canvas nearby businesses, gas stations, traffic cameras, and homes with doorbell cameras.
- Witness interviews. Bystanders often catch a partial plate, vehicle make, or direction of travel.
- Vehicle debris analysis. Paint transfer, broken parts, and glass left behind can identify the make and model of the fleeing vehicle.
- Social media and public records. Sometimes, drivers post damage photos or suddenly sell their vehicle after a crash.
- Accident reconstruction experts. When needed, we bring in engineers to map out the crash and explain how it unfolded.
Even when the at-fault driver is never identified, this work strengthens your insurance claim and supports the value of your damages.
Getting Compensated When the Driver Is Never Found
One of the biggest fears clients share is that they will be stuck with the bill if the police never catch the other driver. Fortunately, New Jersey law gives hit-and-run victims real options, even when the runaway driver remains unknown.
The most common sources of recovery include:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Your own auto policy likely includes UM coverage, which steps in when an unidentified or uninsured driver is at fault.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP, which is required on standard New Jersey auto policies, pays medical bills and certain other expenses regardless of fault.
- Health insurance. Your health plan can cover medical care while we work on the claim.
- MedPay coverage. Some policies include additional medical payment benefits that stack on top of PIP.
- Third-party claims. If a bar overserved the driver, an employer was negligent in supervising them, or a vehicle defect contributed to the crash, additional defendants may be responsible.
Insurance carriers do not always make these benefits easy to access. We push back on lowball offers, document every loss, and fight to get you the full value of your coverage.
Damages You May Recover After a Hit and Run
A strong claim looks at every way the crash has affected your life, not just the bills sitting on your kitchen counter. We work with medical providers, vocational experts, and economists when needed to calculate the true cost of what happened.
Damages in a New Jersey hit-and-run case may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal items
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for spouses and family members
Where the conduct is especially reckless, such as a drunk driver who fled the scene, punitive damages may also come into play. We evaluate every angle so nothing valuable gets left on the table.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Hit and Run Claims
Hackensack and surrounding Bergen County towns see a steady flow of pedestrian and cyclist activity, from foot traffic near the courthouse and Bergen County Plaza to riders along the Hackensack River Greenway. When a driver hits someone outside a vehicle and flees, the injuries are usually severe.
Pedestrians and cyclists struck in a hit and run may have rights to:
- PIP benefits under their own auto insurance, even though they were not in a car
- PIP benefits through a household member's policy
- Uninsured motorist coverage in some situations
- Compensation from any driver who is later identified
These cases require careful coordination of multiple insurance policies. Talking with a New Jersey hit and run accident lawyer before signing anything or giving recorded statements is one of the smartest steps you can take.
Time Limits for Filing a Hit and Run Claim in New Jersey
New Jersey generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. Miss that deadline, and your right to sue can disappear entirely.
Hit and run cases also come with extra timing concerns:
- Uninsured motorist claims often require prompt notice to your insurer
- Some policies demand reporting the crash to police within a set window
- Public entity claims, such as those involving a government vehicle, can require a notice of claim within 90 days
The earlier we get started, the more we can do to protect your rights and build the strongest possible case.
Hackensack and the Surrounding Communities We Serve
Our office sits in the heart of Hackensack, which gives us quick access to the courts, hospitals, and roadways our clients use every day. We regularly help people injured throughout Bergen County and the broader region, including:
- Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood, and Fort Lee
- Paramus, Ridgewood, and Fair Lawn
- Jersey City, Hoboken, and the surrounding Hudson County area
- Crashes on Route 4, Route 17, Route 80, the Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike
Knowing the local roadways, the local courts, and the local insurance defense lawyers gives us an edge that out-of-area firms cannot match.
How We Work with You from Day One
We know that hiring a lawyer can feel like one more thing on a long list. We try to make it as straightforward as possible.
Here is what working with our team typically looks like:
- Free consultation. We listen, ask questions, and give you an honest read on your situation.
- Case investigation. We gather records, evidence, and witness information while you focus on healing.
- Insurance handling. We deal with the adjusters so you do not have to take their calls.
- Negotiation and trial. When the case is ready, we present a full demand and negotiate aggressively. If the insurance company refuses to be reasonable, we prepare your case for trial and try it.
You always know where your case stands. We answer questions in plain language and treat you the way we would want our own family treated after a crash.
FAQs Answered by a New Jersey Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
Below are answers to questions we hear often from people considering a hit and run claim. If your specific situation is not covered, please reach out for a free consultation.
Should I call the police if the other driver took off?
Yes. A police report is one of the most important documents in any hit and run case. Officers can canvas the area, pull traffic camera footage, and create the official record your insurance company will rely on.
What if I only got a partial license plate?
A partial plate can still be incredibly valuable. Combined with the vehicle make, model, color, and direction of travel, even a few characters often allow investigators to narrow down the suspect vehicle.
Can I still recover money if the other driver is never identified?
Yes. Uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, PIP benefits, MedPay, and health insurance can all play a role. We work through every available source to maximize your recovery.
Will my own insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim?
New Jersey law generally protects drivers from rate increases for filing a claim when they are not at fault. We can talk through how this applies to your specific policy and carrier.
How long do hit-and-run cases take to resolve?
Timing varies based on the severity of the injuries, the strength of the evidence, and whether the at-fault driver is identified. Some cases resolve within months, while others take a year or more, especially when serious injuries require ongoing treatment.
Do I need a lawyer if my injuries seem minor?
Even seemingly minor injuries can develop into long-term problems, and insurance offers in those cases are often far below fair value. A free consultation costs you nothing and helps you understand what your claim is really worth.
What if I was a passenger in a hit and run?
Passengers usually have strong claims because they are almost never at fault. You may have rights against the driver of the car you were in, the fleeing driver if identified, and various insurance policies covering both vehicles.
Talk With a New Jersey Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Today
You deserve a legal team that takes your case personally and refuses to let a runaway driver or a difficult insurance company define your future. At the Reinartz Law Firm, we put real time and resources into every hit-and-run claim, and we do not get paid unless we recover money for you.
Call us today at 201-289-8614 or send a message through our website to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We can meet by phone, video, or in person at our Hackensack office, whichever works best for your schedule and your recovery.
Let us carry the legal weight so you can focus on getting better.
