Hit & Run Accidents in Pennsylvania
When the at-fault driver disappears, Pennsylvania victims often turn to their own uninsured-motorist coverage to make things right.
What you should know
If a hit-and-run driver can't be identified, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy may pay for your injuries. Prompt reporting to police and your insurer is important, and being the victim of an uninsured at-fault driver is also an exception that can lift limited-tort restrictions.
What typically causes them
- Drivers without insurance
- Impaired drivers fleeing
- Drivers with suspended licenses
- Panic after a crash
- Unlicensed drivers
- Stolen vehicles
Injuries we see
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Pedestrian and cyclist injuries
Steps to take after a hit & run accidents
- 1
Call 911 and report the crash immediately
- 2
Write down anything you recall about the vehicle
- 3
Look for witnesses and cameras
- 4
Notify your insurer promptly
- 5
Get medical care
- 6
Consult an attorney about UM coverage
UM coverage and the uninsured-driver exception to limited tort are central. Prompt notice requirements make quick action important.
UM coverage can pay for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured.
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). Missing this deadline usually bars your claim entirely, so it is critical to act well before it runs.
Keep reading before you talk to an adjuster
Don't let a Pennsylvania hit & run accidents ruin your future.
The clock is ticking on Pennsylvania's 2-year statute of limitations. Get a free, no-obligation case review now.