If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, you may be unsure about how to proceed. Seeking compensation after this type of accident can be challenging, but you may be able to file a claim through your own insurance.
Learn more about your options for filing a hit-and-run accident claim below.
Reporting a Hit-and-Run Accident in Pennsylvania
A hit-and-run occurs when a person involved in an accident leaves the scene without stopping, exchanging information, and rendering aid, if necessary. Fleeing the scene is a criminal offense. It can also hinder the accident victim’s efforts to seek compensation that the at-fault party may be legally obligated to pay.
If another party struck your vehicle or hit you as a pedestrian and then failed to stop at the scene, your first step should be to call the police and request an accident report. Provide the officer with any information you remember about the motorist who struck you, such as:
- Their gender, approximate age, and appearance
- The color, make, and/or model of the unidentified vehicle
- Any figures from their license plate
- The direction they fled after the accident
If any witnesses saw the accident, they may be able to provide additional information about the offending driver. Because leaving the accident scene is a criminal offense, the police may investigate the incident and search for the driver in question.
Seek medical treatment for your injuries, and after reporting the incident to the police, call your insurance company to inform them of your situation.
How To File a Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault state” for car insurance, which means that drivers involved in accidents typically use their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover medical expenses. You may be able to claim medical coverage through your own insurer even if you do not know who was at fault in the accident.
Your insurance provider can offer guidance on initiating a claim. The adjuster may investigate the accident to attempt to track down the at-fault driver. Insurance companies generally do not want to pay out claims that are another insurance holder’s responsibility, and your insurer may want to confirm that the at-fault party cannot be located before allowing you to access your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Depending on the policy terms, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may not include hit-and-run accidents. This is why it is essential to attempt to locate the at-fault driver using any available evidence. You can work with the police throughout this process.
Navigating Civil vs. Criminal Hit-and-Run Cases
If the driver who fled the scene after your hit-and-run accident can be located, the police may charge them with a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the severity of the accident.
Hit-and-runs involving only property damage can result in misdemeanor traffic violation charges, with potential penalties including fines, up to one year of jail time, and license suspension. On the other hand, accidents resulting in serious bodily injury can lead to felony charges with mandatory prison time and fines.
While the city may pursue a criminal case against the responsible party, this should not affect your eligibility to also pursue civil damages. A civil lawsuit could allow you to seek economic and non-economic damages from this party if liability can be established.
Seek Legal Guidance After a Pennsylvania Hit-and-Run Accident
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, consult an experienced legal professional. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers represent accident victims across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and we’ll fight to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at (855) 521-4406 for a free case review and consultation.
