(275+)When another driver strikes your vehicle and flees the scene, you face immediate challenges that extend far beyond physical injuries. A Philadelphia hit and run accident victim’s experience creates urgent legal and practical concerns that demand swift action. The fleeing driver leaves you with medical bills, vehicle damage, and potential criminal evidence that could disappear with each passing moment.
Philadelphia streets witness thousands of vehicle collisions annually, yet hit and run incidents present unique complications. The responsible party has vanished, taking with them crucial insurance information and accountability. This situation transforms a standard traffic accident into a complex legal matter requiring the help of a skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyer to protect your rights and recovery options.
Immediate Actions After a Hit and Run Accident in Philadelphia
Your top priority should be to seek medical attention. Move to a secure location if possible, but avoid leaving the accident scene entirely. Call 911 immediately to report the incident and request medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline often masks pain, and some injuries manifest hours or days later.
Document everything visible at the scene. Take photographs of vehicle damage, street conditions, traffic signals, and any debris left by the fleeing vehicle. Capture images from multiple angles, including wide shots showing the entire scene and close-ups highlighting specific damage patterns.
These photographs become crucial evidence when insurance companies and law enforcement investigate your claim.
Record detailed notes about the incident while memories remain fresh. Write down the exact time, weather conditions, traffic patterns, and any observations about the other vehicle. Include partial license plate numbers, vehicle color, make, model, and distinctive features like bumper stickers, damage, or modifications. Even seemingly insignificant details could help identify the responsible driver.
Gathering Evidence and Witness Information
Search for witnesses who observed the collision or the fleeing vehicle. Pedestrians, other drivers, and business employees often provide valuable testimony. Request contact information from cooperative witnesses and ask them to provide written statements describing what they saw.
Multiple witness accounts strengthen your case significantly.
Check nearby businesses for security cameras that might have captured the incident. Many Philadelphia establishments maintain surveillance systems monitoring parking lots, sidewalks, and street areas. Request to speak with managers about preserving relevant footage, as many systems automatically delete recordings after short periods.
Traffic cameras operated by the city may have recorded the collision or the fleeing vehicle. While accessing this footage requires official requests, documenting camera locations helps investigators know where to look. Note intersection camera positions and any nearby red light cameras that could have captured relevant images.
Pennsylvania Hit and Run Laws and Reporting Requirements
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 3742 mandates that drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must remain at the scene. Fleeing constitutes a criminal offense with penalties ranging from summary offenses to felony charges, depending on injury severity.
File a police report within 24 hours, even if officers did not respond to the scene initially. The Philadelphia Police Department requires detailed accident reports for hit and run incidents. This official documentation becomes essential for insurance claims and potential criminal prosecution of the fleeing driver.
Contact your insurance company promptly to report the hit and run accident. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but hit and run situations often trigger uninsured motorist coverage provisions. Your policy may include specific time limits for reporting such incidents, making immediate notification crucial for claim approval.
What to Do in a Hit and Run Accident
Seek medical evaluation even if you feel uninjured. Hit and run accidents often involve sudden impacts that cause soft tissue injuries, concussions, or internal damage not immediately apparent.
Medical records documenting your condition shortly after the accident provide important evidence linking injuries to the collision.
It is also crucial to avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal representation. Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after the accident, seeking recorded statements about the incident. These statements could be used to minimize your claim or deny coverage entirely. Politely decline to provide detailed recorded statements until you consult with experienced legal counsel.
Keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses. Medical bills, prescription costs, vehicle repair estimates, and lost wages create a comprehensive picture of your damages. Photograph prescription bottles, save all receipts, and maintain a daily journal documenting pain levels and activity limitations caused by your injuries.
Philadelphia Resources for Hit and Run Victims
The Philadelphia Police Department operates a dedicated Hit and Run Investigation Unit that specializes in locating fleeing drivers.
This unit employs advanced investigative techniques, including traffic camera analysis, paint transfer examination, and vehicle part identification.
Cooperation with these investigators increases the likelihood of identifying the responsible party.
Pennsylvania Crime Victims Compensation Program provides financial assistance for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs resulting from violent crimes, including hit and run accidents.
This state program offers benefits regardless of whether the perpetrator is apprehended, providing crucial support during recovery.
Several Philadelphia-area organizations offer support services for accident victims:
- Victim Services Centers provide counseling and advocacy
- Legal Aid societies offer guidance for low-income individuals
- Transportation assistance programs help victims who lack vehicle access
Insurance Claims and Compensation Options
Uninsured motorist coverage becomes your primary protection when the fleeing driver remains unidentified. This coverage typically matches your liability limits and covers medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Review your policy carefully to determine available benefits and coverage limits.
Property damage claims may proceed through your collision coverage if you carry comprehensive protection. This coverage handles vehicle repairs minus your deductible, regardless of fault determination. Rental car benefits included in many policies provide temporary transportation while your vehicle undergoes repairs.
Medical payments coverage offers immediate relief for accident-related medical expenses regardless of fault. This coverage typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000 and pays medical bills directly to healthcare providers, reducing your immediate financial burden while other claim aspects remain pending.
Choose Gibbons & Crichton for Your Philadelphia Hit and Run Case
Gibbons & Crichton has represented hit and run accident victims throughout Philadelphia. Our firm knows Pennsylvania traffic laws intimately and maintains strong relationships with local law enforcement agencies investigating these cases.
If you have suffered injuries in a hit and run accident in Philadelphia, contact Gibbons & Crichton immediately at 215-274-0173.
