A hit and run in Bensalem, PA can leave you injured, confused, and facing a driver who may never be found. Whether it happened on I-95 near the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange, along Route 1 (Lincoln Highway), or on Street Road close to Neshaminy Mall, the outcome is the same: you are hurt, and the person responsible drove away. Pennsylvania law gives you real legal options, even when the other driver is never identified. A Philadelphia abogado de lesiones personales at MyPhillyLawyer can help you understand those options and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Índice

• What Pennsylvania Law Requires After a Crash — and What a Hit and Run Really Means
• Pennsylvania’s Criminal Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident
• How Pennsylvania’s Insurance Laws Protect Hit and Run Victims
• What to Do Immediately After a Hit and Run in Bensalem
• Damages You Can Recover in a Bensalem Hit and Run Case
• FAQs About Bensalem PA Hit and Run Accidents

What Pennsylvania Law Requires After a Crash — and What a Hit and Run Really Means

Under Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code, every driver involved in a crash has a legal duty to stop. Specifically, 75 Pa. C.S. § 3744 requires drivers to give their name, address, and vehicle registration number to other parties involved. If asked, they must also show their driver’s license and proof of insurance. When someone is hurt, the driver must also render reasonable assistance, including arranging for medical transport if it is apparent that treatment is necessary.

A hit and run happens when a driver violates those duties by leaving the scene without stopping. That applies whether the crash happened on a busy stretch of I-95 in Bensalem, in the parking lot near Parx Casino, or on a quiet side street like Hulmeville Road. The law does not care where the crash occurred. If a driver left without fulfilling their legal obligations, they broke the law.

Bensalem Township sits in Bucks County and sees heavy traffic on its major corridors every day. Route 1, Street Road, Knights Road, and the I-95 interchange are all high-volume areas where hit and run incidents have been documented by local police. These are not rare events. They happen regularly, and the victims are often left with serious injuries and no clear path to compensation without legal help.

Understanding what the law requires of drivers helps you recognize when your rights were violated. That recognition is the first step toward building a claim.

Pennsylvania’s Criminal Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Pennsylvania treats hit and run as a serious criminal offense, and the penalties scale up sharply depending on the harm caused. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 3743, a driver who leaves the scene after damaging an attended vehicle commits a third-degree misdemeanor. That carries a fine of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail, plus a six-month license suspension.

The penalties become far more severe when someone is hurt. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 3742, if a driver flees after causing bodily injury, the charge is a first-degree misdemeanor. If the victim suffers serious bodily injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or an amputation, the charge becomes a third-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of 90 days in jail, up to seven years in prison, and a minimum $1,000 fine.

If someone dies, the driver who fled faces a second-degree felony. Pennsylvania law mandates a minimum of three years in prison and a minimum $2,500 fine for that offense. Prosecutors in Bucks County take these cases seriously, and there is no statute of limitations for hit and run cases involving a fatality.

For you as a victim, the criminal charges against the driver matter in a civil context too. A driver’s decision to flee can be treated as evidence of reckless conduct in your personal injury case. That conduct can support a claim for damages beyond basic medical expenses. The criminal record of the at-fault driver does not automatically win your civil case, but it gives your attorney a powerful piece of evidence to work with.

How Pennsylvania’s Insurance Laws Protect Hit and Run Victims

Pennsylvania operates under a choice no-fault insurance system. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705, every driver selects either limited tort or full tort coverage when purchasing a policy. This choice directly affects your ability to recover compensation after a hit and run.

Under the limited tort option, you can recover medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs from your own insurer, but your right to sue for pain and suffering is restricted unless your injuries meet the definition of “serious injury.” Under the full tort option, you keep the unrestricted right to seek compensation for all damages, including pain and suffering, from any at-fault party.

When the at-fault driver cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes your primary financial resource. Under 75 Pa. C.S. §§ 1711 through 1798, Pennsylvania insurers must offer first-party benefits, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers medical expenses regardless of fault. Your UM coverage can also compensate you for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages when the responsible driver is gone.

If the hit and run driver is eventually identified, you may be able to pursue a direct claim against them. Either way, you should not try to manage these insurance issues alone. Insurers do not always volunteer the full benefits available to you, and having an attorney in your corner makes a real difference in what you recover.

What to Do Immediately After a Hit and Run in Bensalem

The steps you take right after the crash directly affect the strength of your legal claim. First, call 911. Getting police to the scene creates an official record, and that police report is critical for both your insurance claim and any civil lawsuit. Bensalem Township Police and Pennsylvania State Police both patrol the major roads in the area, and they have tools, including traffic cameras along Route 1 and I-95, that can help identify a fleeing driver.

While you wait for help, note everything you can about the other vehicle: color, make, model, partial plate number, direction of travel, and any distinguishing features like damage or decals. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witness accounts have helped Bensalem police identify hit and run drivers in past cases, including incidents on Lincoln Highway and State Road.

Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries do not always produce obvious symptoms right away. A medical record created close in time to the crash is one of the strongest pieces of evidence in a personal injury case.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to sue. Contact MyPhillyLawyer as soon as possible so that no deadlines slip by while you focus on recovering.

Damages You Can Recover in a Bensalem Hit and Run Case

Pennsylvania law allows hit and run victims to pursue compensation for the full range of losses caused by the crash. Economic damages include past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule, found at 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Your total damages are reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. So if a jury finds you 20 percent at fault, your award is reduced by 20 percent. This rule applies in hit and run cases too, particularly when questions arise about pedestrian behavior or lane positioning at the time of impact.

In cases involving a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8301. This statute allows recovery for lost financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the grief experienced by close family members. The personal representative of the deceased can bring the action on behalf of eligible survivors.

The attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer, whose principal office is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, handle hit and run cases for clients throughout Bensalem and Bucks County. Every case is different, and past results in other matters do not guarantee a specific outcome in yours. What we can promise is that we will work hard to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. Call us at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572 to talk about what happened and learn what your options are.

FAQs About Bensalem PA Hit and Run Accidents

What if the hit and run driver is never found — can I still recover compensation?

Yes. If the at-fault driver cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage under your Pennsylvania auto policy can cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Under 75 Pa. C.S. §§ 1711 through 1798, your first-party PIP benefits also apply regardless of fault. An attorney can review your policy and identify every available source of recovery.

How long do I have to file a hit and run claim in Pennsylvania?

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. If you delay, you risk losing your right to sue entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash so that all deadlines are tracked and protected.

Does my tort election affect my hit and run claim?

Yes. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705, if you chose limited tort coverage, your ability to recover for pain and suffering is restricted unless your injuries qualify as “serious.” If you chose full tort, you retain the unrestricted right to seek full compensation. Knowing your tort election is one of the first things an attorney will check when reviewing your case.

Can I sue the hit and run driver if they are eventually caught?

Absolutely. If Bensalem Township Police or Pennsylvania State Police identify the driver, you can file a civil claim directly against that person in addition to any criminal charges they face. The driver’s act of fleeing can also be used as evidence of reckless conduct, which may strengthen your damages claim.

What if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a driver who fled?

Pedestrians and cyclists hit by a driver who fled have the same legal rights as vehicle occupants. You can pursue a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage, and if the driver is identified, you can sue them directly. Pennsylvania law requires drivers to stop and render aid regardless of whether the victim was in a car, on a bike, or on foot. If you were struck near a busy area like Route 1 or the Neshaminy Mall corridor, surveillance footage may help identify the driver.

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