Steps to Take If You’re Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Pennsylvania
Hurt in a crash with a driver who fled the scene? Our Pittsburgh attorneys can fight for the compensation you deserve
Under Pennsylvania law, drivers involved in a car accident must stay at the scene until the police or medical help arrives, especially in the event of an injury or death. However, not all drivers obey the law. When a hit-and-run accident occurs in Pennsylvania, victims can be left with limited options for seeking compensation.
Hit-and-runs are a widespread problem on our roads. Crash data shows that hit-and-run accidents across the United States caused 236,433 injuries and 2,564 fatalities in 2020. Additionally, 62% of pedestrian deaths were caused by hit-and-runs.
Some drivers flee the scene because they’re uninsured, intoxicated, or driving without a valid license, and they don’t want to face legal consequences. Other drivers cause hit-and-run car accidents while involved in criminal activity or fleeing from law enforcement.
What should I do after a hit-and-run accident in Pennsylvania?
Being involved in a hit-and-run can be a traumatic experience, but knowing how to respond can make all the difference in your recovery and the outcome of your potential claim. Here’s what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
Check your safety first
Immediately assess your safety after any traffic accident. Start by checking yourself for any injuries, then turn your attention to your passengers. Look for wounds, restricted movement, or anything out of the ordinary. If you or anyone else in the car has sustained an injury, call 911 immediately.
Next, determine if you can safely move your vehicle out of traffic. If your car is drivable, steer it to the side of the road or another safe location. However, if the vehicle won’t budge or you’re unsure about its condition, don’t take any chances—exit the car and move to a safer spot away from oncoming traffic. Be sure to check your surroundings before stepping out.
Call the police
Once you’ve ensured your safety, call the police to report the hit-and-run and wait for a law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene. When the police arrive, they’ll evaluate the scene, interview witnesses, and document their findings in a detailed crash report.
They may also check for patterns in similar cases and follow up on leads. That includes inspecting suspect vehicles and checking surveillance footage (if available).
Document everything
While waiting for law enforcement to arrive, gather as much information as possible about the other vehicle and driver. Take note of the other car’s license plate number, make, model, color, and any distinctive features (if you’re able to capture this). If you can remember which direction the car headed, jot that down too. If you caught a glimpse of the other driver, try to recall their appearance.
Next, document the hit-and-run accident scene. Record the time, location, and the circumstances leading to the crash. Take photos of your car’s damage, especially if there’s evidence of the other vehicle, such as paint transferred onto your car.
If witnesses are present, ask them for their contact information and any details you might have missed. Witnesses often catch things you didn’t see in the heat of the moment, and sometimes, they catch hit-and-run drivers on their dashcams.
Get immediate medical attention
After leaving the crash scene, make seeing a doctor your next step, even if you feel fine. Shock can easily disguise pain, and some injuries—like whiplash, concussions, and internal damage—can sometimes take hours or even days to reveal themselves.
A doctor can spot these injuries early and start treatment before they worsen. Plus, getting a medical evaluation ties your injury directly to the hit-and-run accident you were involved in.
Contact your insurance provider
Once you’ve spoken with law enforcement and gathered all the necessary details, contact your insurance provider to file a claim. Some insurers require you to file a claim within 24 hours, while others give you up to 30 days. Either way, it’s best to get the ball rolling while the crash is fresh in your mind.
Only provide the basic details regarding the crash, such as the date, time, location, and any injuries you sustained. Don’t discuss how the car accident occurred or who was at fault, as this can potentially hurt your claim.
Who pays for my damages after a Pennsylvania hit-and-run accident?
Who pays for your damages depends on whether or not the at-fault driver was identified or if they’re insured. If you’re able to identify the other driver, you can seek damages from their third-party insurance provider. Unlike a first-party insurance claim, where you seek damages from your own insurer, a third-party claim requires a burden of proof.
You’ll need to show that the other driver had a duty of care, breached that duty through negligence or recklessness, and that their actions directly caused the crash, resulting in your damages.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
You’re not necessarily out of options if the other driver can’t be identified. Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault” state and requires drivers to carry PIP. The minimum coverage requirements in Pennsylvania are:
- Medical benefits: $5,000
- Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person or $30,000 per accident
- Property damage: $5,000
No matter who was at fault, PIP steps in to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and even funeral costs if there’s a fatality. It also covers your passengers.
While Pennsylvania mandates a minimum, you can opt for higher coverage to safeguard against significant financial damages. However, PIP doesn’t cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Uninsured motorist coverage
In Pennsylvania, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is your financial safety net when the other driver leaves the scene of a crash and can’t be identified or is uninsured. Like PIP, it pays for your medical bills and lost wages. But unlike PIP, it covers property damage and pain and suffering.
While it’s not required by law, UM coverage is a smart choice. Think of it as a backup plan that ensures you’re not left footing the bill because someone else didn’t play by the rules.
Injured in a hit-and-run? Let a skilled Pittsburgh attorney fight for you
If you were injured by a driver who fled the scene in greater Pittsburgh, you need an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer who can advocate for your rights. The insurance companies—even you’re own—are often more interested in keeping their costs down than ensuring you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to under Pennsylvania law.
However, you shouldn’t have to pay mounting medical expenses and other damages out-of-pocket while dealing with income loss and pain and suffering. The legal team at Romanow Law Group can work tirelessly to investigate your hit-and-run and gather the facts to support your claim. We’ll also fight to maximize your compensation, whether we seek it from the at-fault driver’s insurance or your own.
To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call our Pittsburgh law office. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
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