Pennsylvania Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney
Being injured in a hit-and-run accident is a frightening and frustrating experience. The at-fault driver has fled the scene, leaving you injured and uncertain about how you will pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and vehicle damage. Siddons Law Firm represents hit-and-run accident victims throughout Pennsylvania, helping them navigate the complex process of recovering compensation even when the other driver cannot be immediately identified.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sees thousands of hit-and-run accidents each year. These crashes range from parking lot incidents to high-speed highway collisions where the at-fault driver flees to avoid responsibility. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony in Pennsylvania, but criminal penalties for the fleeing driver do not pay your medical bills or compensate you for your injuries. That is where our civil legal representation becomes essential.
How to Recover Compensation After a Hit-and-Run
Even when the at-fault driver flees, several avenues for compensation exist. Your own uninsured motorist coverage is the primary source of recovery in most hit-and-run cases. Pennsylvania requires insurance companies to offer UM coverage to all policyholders. If you have UM coverage, you can file a claim against your own insurance company for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, just as if you were filing against the at-fault driver’s insurer. If you were a pedestrian or bicyclist, the UM coverage on any vehicle in your household may apply. Stacked UM coverage, if purchased, multiplies your available coverage across all vehicles on your policy. Additionally, if the hit-and-run driver is eventually identified, you can pursue a claim directly against their insurance as well.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run
What you do immediately after a hit-and-run can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Call 911 immediately and report the accident, providing any details you remember about the fleeing vehicle. Seek medical attention promptly for all injuries. Document the scene with photographs including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any debris. Gather contact information from witnesses who may have seen the fleeing vehicle. Check for nearby surveillance cameras at businesses, traffic intersections, and residences. Note any details about the fleeing vehicle including color, make, model, and any portion of the license plate. Do not post about the accident on social media. Contact an experienced hit-and-run attorney as soon as possible.
Fighting Your Own Insurance Company
Many hit-and-run victims are surprised to learn that filing a UM claim means going against their own insurance company. Despite being your insurer, the company has a financial incentive to minimize your claim just as any other insurer would. They may dispute the severity of your injuries, question whether the accident caused your conditions, or argue that your policy limits are lower than you believe. Our firm has extensive experience litigating UM claims and holds insurance companies to their contractual obligations.
Compensation for Hit-and-Run Victims
Hit-and-run accident victims may recover compensation for all medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, vehicle repair or replacement, emotional distress, and permanent disability or disfigurement.
Contact Our Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Pennsylvania, contact Siddons Law Firm at (215) 513-2121 for a free consultation. Time is critical both for preserving evidence that may help identify the fleeing driver and for meeting the deadlines required by your UM policy. We handle all hit-and-run cases on a contingency fee basis.