Philadelphia Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney

Car accidents are traumatic, especially in the early moments after a crash when you realize that you or your loved one has suffered serious injuries. When your future changes in an instant, it feels overwhelming. Seeing the driver who caused your serious car accident flee the scene and leave you behind in the wreckage may feel like the final blow.

Although a hit-and-run accident claim makes recovering the fair compensation you deserve after a serious car accident more challenging, fortunately, you have options. Call our Philadelphia accident attorneys at Grungo Law to learn about your rights and legal options for recovery.

Why Choose Our Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer In Philadelphia?

At Grungo Law, we understand that an accident leaves the victim with painful injuries as well as the lingering memory of the terrifying moments before the crash. We use our compassion and assertive drive for justice on your behalf through the following:

• We work tirelessly on your case at no cost to you until after we’ve successfully settled or won your case in court
• The trial-ready lawyers at Grungo Law have decades of experience navigating personal injury law for our Philadelphia injury victims with a history of success that puts a powerful voice behind your case
• We are a leading law firm listed as “Super Lawyers” in the justice system’s most prestigious publication
• Founding attorney, Richard Grungo Jr., Esq., believes in using cutting-edge technology combined with classic advocacy methods, with exceptional results

Our history of recovering multi-million dollar awards for our clients lends a voice of strength and respect to your Philadelphia hit-and-run accident injury claim.

Pennsylvania Prohibits Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident

Like other states, Pennsylvania law compels drivers to act responsibly after an accident when the accident causes injury, death, or property damage. Title 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3742 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code states the following:

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of section 3744 (relating to duty to give information and render aid).”

The requirements listed under section 3744 include:

• Remaining at the scene until cleared by law enforcement
• Moving vehicles to clear traffic flow when possible, and
• Rendering reasonable aid to others when able to, without causing further injury to yourself

Leaving the scene of a Philadelphia car accident is a crime, with penalties that include fines and jail time.

Why Do Some Drivers Hit and Run In Philadelphia?

In some cases, drivers leave the scene of the accident out of shock, when the rush of adrenaline triggers a fight or flight response. Some drivers report head injuries that caused them to act in ways they typically wouldn’t while disoriented. In these instances, the driver often returns or reports their involvement in the accident later. Unfortunately, it’s more common for drivers to have more self-serving reasons for fleeing an accident scene, including the following:

• They are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• They are driving without a license
• They lack valid car insurance
• There is a warrant out for their arrest on other charges
• They have illegal drugs or weapons in their vehicle

Some drivers panic and leave the scene if they know they’ve caused injuries because they fear legal action against them.

What Do I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident In Philadelphia?

If you are incapacitated or unconscious after a serious hit-and-run car accident, you may be able to do little other than wait for help. In some cases, however, injury victims or an uninjured companion or bystander can use a cell phone to take purposeful action to help themselves. A smartphone becomes a critical tool to do the following:

• First, use the phone’s camera to snap a photo of the fleeing car whenever possible, especially the license number
• Then, call 911 to report the accident and tell the dispatcher that the other driver has left the scene
• Describe the hit-and-run vehicle and the direction it was heading
• Use the phone’s camera to take photos of anything relevant to the accident, such as traffic signs, an intersection, or skid marks
• Photograph your visible injuries
• Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses present
• Go to the hospital as soon as you are cleared to leave the scene, either in an ambulance or by arranging transportation

After you’ve had treatment for emergency injuries, ask for a full medical evaluation to identify any underlying injuries with delayed symptoms, such as whiplash, internal organ injury, or traumatic brain injury. Your detailed medical report and the police report of your accident are critical components of a successful hit-and-run accident claim. Be sure to call your car insurance company to report your accident and inform them that it was a hit-and-run.

What are the Options for Recovering Damages In a Philadelphia Hit-and-Run Claim?

Philadelphia’s modified comparative negligence car accident laws require an injury victim to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance as long as they were less than 51% at fault for the accident. This is only possible after a hit-and-run if the police identify and apprehend the driver, and they have insurance. Otherwise, your attorney from Grungo Law will pursue options such as the following:

• Filing a claim against your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you added this coverage to your basic auto insurance policy
• Filing a claim against your collision insurance if you have this coverage
• Pursuing a claim against a third-party who caused or contributed to the accident, such as a negligent road maintenance agency, road construction crew, or the manufacturer of a defective part
• Filing a claim against an umbrella insurance policy if you have one
• Filing a lawsuit against the driver if they are apprehended and have financial resources

Depending on the cause of the accident, the insurance policies and other resources available, your attorney could help you recover significant compensation for your damages.

Common Damages In Hit-and-Run Accidents in Philadelphia

Car accidents cause injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic or fatal. Depending on the unique circumstances of the accident and available insurance coverage, an accident could result in compensation for damages such as:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future income loss
• Diminished earning capacity due to disability
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Wrongful death

Some car accident victims in Pennsylvania suffer additional damages unique to their case, such as loss of limb, loss of vision or hearing, or disfigurement.

Call the Car Accident Lawyers In Philadelphia at Grungo Law

Car accidents can be challenging due to the fact that insurance companies often protect their profits at the injury victim’s expense. A hit-and-run accident claim presents further challenges; however, you do have legal rights and protections under the law. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia so we can strategize the best way to move forward and recover the compensation you deserve.