Philadelphia Hit and Run Car Accident Attorneys

The Team at MyPhillyLawyer Fights for Those Injured by Drivers Who Flee the Scene

Pennsylvania law requires vehicle drivers involved in injury-causing accidents to stop at the scene. The driver must stop long enough to provide identifying and insurance information and to “render aid” to others injured in the accident. Even drivers of automated vehicles are required to stop at the scene of a crash.

When a driver fails to fulfill this legal duty, the person they injured suffers significant losses. The injured person may experience a delay in receiving essential medical aid. The injured person doesn’t have the driver’s identity or insurance information, making it difficult to file a claim. 

These accidents are called “hit and run” crashes. If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, speak to the experienced Philadelphia hit-and-run injury attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer today. 

What is a Hit and Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver is involved in a crash (“hit”), but leaves the scene instead of staying to speak to police or help others (“run”). In doing so, the driver violates their responsibilities under Pennsylvania law to stop at the scene of a collision. Other US states have similar laws. 

Most hit-and-run accident victims are pedestrians. However, anyone can be involved in a collision with a driver who flees the scene instead of stopping to exchange information and provide what help they can, such as calling 911. 

Hit-and-run accidents compound the harm to an injured person. First, when no one stops to call 911 or offer help, the injured person may suffer a delay in treatment. A delay can make injuries worse or cause death. Second, without contact information for the driver, the injured person cannot contact that driver’s insurance company or hold the driver accountable for negligence. 

For many people, the thought of causing damage or injury to another person and then running away seems unacceptable. Yet hit and hit-and-run accidents occur daily throughout the United States and in Philadelphia.

Hit and Run Accident Statistics

Philadelphia set a record high for fatal hit-and-run crashes in 2023, according to an NBC10 news report. Data from the Philadelphia Police Department reveals that 39 Philadelphians died in hit-and-run accidents in 2023. The 2023 total breaks the previous record of 34 deaths in 2022. 

Hit-and-run deaths are rising even as overall traffic deaths remain steady. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, 118 people died in a Philadelphia traffic crash annually. The proportion of these deaths caused by a hit and run, however, increased each year: 21 in 2021, 34 in 2022, and 39 in 2023.

The increase in hit-and-run deaths parallels the increase in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths since 2020, according to data from the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia. As motorist deaths have dropped since 2020, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths have increased. In 2022, 25 percent of pedestrian deaths nationwide occurred in hit-and-run accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Common Hit and Run Accident Injuries

A hit-and-run accident can produce the same injuries as any other motor vehicle accident. These injuries may occur whether the injured person is in another vehicle, riding a bicycle or motorcycle, or walking. 

Pedestrians are commonly injured in hit-and-run accidents. A driver collides with the pedestrian, then leaves the scene. The severity of pedestrian accident injuries is on the rise in the United States. 

A study of pedestrian accident injuries found that the most common types of injuries when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian include:

• Head trauma, including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and damage to the face,
• Leg, ankle, and foot injuries, including broken bones and muscle, nerve, and soft tissue damage,
• Pelvic trauma, which can include damage to the pelvis, hips, and organs, including reproductive organs,
• Chest trauma, such as blunt force injuries, organ damage, and broken ribs,
• Arm, wrist, and hand injuries, which can include broken bones and damage to the muscles and other tissues, 
• Spinal column or spinal cord injuries, ranging from broken vertebrae to herniated discs, and permanent paralysis from spinal cord damage. 

Researchers found that abdominal injuries were the least common in pedestrian-vehicle collisions like hit-and-run accidents. However, these injuries can also occur, causing internal bleeding and permanent organ damage. 

Reporting a Hit and Run Accident

Report a hit-and-run accident as soon as possible. To protect your legal rights, it’s important to make two reports. Report the collision to local police and to your auto insurance company.

Reporting a Hit and Run Collision to Police

To report a hit-and-run crash to police, call 911 or your local police or sheriff’s department. When you make your report, give as many details as you can. Give police the date, time, and place of the accident. Tell them what you remember about the location of people and vehicles before and during the crash. If you remember what the fleeing vehicle looked like or have its plate number, give this information to the police. The officer who assists you may ask questions to help you create a complete report. 

The Philadelphia Police Department maintains a “crime blotter” on its website, where it posts information about suspected hit-and-run drivers. Community members can use this information to help identify drivers and assist injured people.

Reporting a Hit and Run Accident to Your Auto Insurer

Make your police report first. Then, report the accident to your auto insurance company. Make this report even if you were a pedestrian at the time the accident occurred. 

Your insurance policy may require you to report a crash within a certain time limit. It’s important to make your report as soon as possible so you do not miss this deadline. 

When you spoke to the police, you tried to fill in every detail. With your insurance company, it’s important to stick to the facts. Report the date, time, and place of the crash. Do not admit fault or make guesses about how the crash happened, however. You don’t have all the facts yet – but a wrong guess now could cost you compensation later. 

Hit and Run Accident Investigations

Once you make a police report, police will open an investigation into the case. Their investigation will seek additional evidence related to your claim. 

For example, police may go to the scene of the accident to look for debris or other traces of the crash. They may also look for video footage from any nearby cameras to help them identify the vehicle or driver. 

Information like a license plate number can help police narrow down their search. Unfortunately, many hit-and-run investigations in Philadelphia go unsolved. 

An experienced attorney will also investigate the case on your behalf. Your lawyer will obtain copies of the police report, your medical records, and other information. 

Your attorney’s investigation has a slightly different focus than a police investigation. The police are looking for the driver and building a potential criminal case. Your attorney is looking for information to support your claim for compensation for your injuries. 

Insurance and Compensation After a Philadelphia Hit and Run Accident

If no one can find the driver who hit you, seeking compensation from your auto insurer may be your only option after a hit-and-run accident. Some forms of insurance coverage provide compensation for medical bills and other losses after a hit-and-run crash. If police can locate the driver, you may also be able to seek compensation from the driver. 

What Insurance Covers Hit and Run Accidents? 

Check your insurance policy for “uninsured/underinsured” motorist coverage (sometimes called “UI/UIA coverage”). This insurance coverage provides benefits if you’re injured by a driver who has no insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance for your needs, or cannot be identified. Typically, this definition includes hit-and-run drivers who cause injuries. 

Working with an attorney can make this process easier. Your insurance company may try to deny your claim, arguing that you don’t have uninsured/underinsured coverage or that your coverage doesn’t apply. Your lawyer can handle negotiations so that you can focus on healing. 

Compensation for Hit and Run Accident Injuries

Compensation for hit-and-run accident injuries typically covers the same types of losses as other collisions. Medical bills, lost wages, and the costs to repair or replace damaged property are often covered. If the hit-and-run killed a loved one, you may also be able to seek funeral and burial expenses, as well as other compensation. 

Speak to an Experienced Philadelphia Hit and Run Injury Attorney

Hit-and-run accidents pile insult on top of injury. You’re struggling to recover from serious injuries or mourning the sudden death of a loved one. You know that someone else’s negligence is responsible for your losses, but you cannot find this person, let alone hold them accountable. Although police do their best to investigate, they may discover there isn’t enough evidence for them to find the fleeing driver. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Speak to a knowledgeable Philadelphia hit-and-run lawyer today. The team at MyPhillyLawyer can handle your insurance claims and accident investigation, so that you can focus on healing. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.