PA hit-and-run laws protect car accident victims when a driver flees the scene of an accident. If you have been injured in a car accident, a Lehigh Valley,PA hit and run accident attorney can help you understand your rights. Choose the Law Offices of Ed Shaughnessy when you need reliable legal representation. Attorney Shaughnessy offers free consultations for Lehigh Valley hit-and-run accident victims and provides legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no fees unless we win your case.
Our firm proudly serves Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the entire Lehigh Valley. Contact us today at (610) 258-9955 to schedule a consultation.
Pennsylvania Hit and Run Laws: Victim Compensation Rights
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code section 3744 requires drivers involved in a car accident to stop immediately and provide information to other drivers and individuals involved in the accident. When a driver hits another vehicle and flees the accident scene, victims still have legal remedies. Uninsured motorist coverage can apply to a hit-and-run accident when the other motorist fled and cannot be identified. Alternatively, victims may recover compensation through civil injury claims, which are separate from criminal prosecution. Pennsylvania law supports full compensation when a fleeing driver causes the injury.
Common Bodily Injury Claims After Hit And Run Accidents in Pennsylvania
Hit-and-run accidents can cause a wide range of severe injuries that require immediate and extensive medical attention. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to life-altering injuries that can permanently affect their quality of life or lead to death. Similarly, motorcycle and bicycle riders typically have much less protection than individuals driving or riding in other types of vehicles. For this reason, they are more susceptible to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and other significant injuries. The resulting catastrophic injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania can end in significant compensation to cover current and future medical expenses and more.
Local hit-and-run claims frequently involve accidents occurring on Route 22 and I-78. Drivers may flee after hitting cars or pedestrians in Allentown shopping areas. Fatal car accident cases may lead to wrongful death claims in Lehigh Valley, PA. Whatever the circumstances of your case, Ed Shaughnessy will work hard to protect your rights and represent your best interests.
What to Do at a Pennsylvania Hit and Run Accident Scene To Protect Your Property Damage and Personal Injury Claim
In addition to injuries, car accidents can cause significant stress, confusion, and panic. Knowing what to do after a car accident in Pennsylvania can help you overcome panic and increase your chances of recovering from injuries. To ensure your safety after an accident, follow these steps:
- Seek immediate medical help from St. Luke’s, Lehigh Valley Health Network, or other local medical facilities
- Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement, such as Allentown Police or Pennsylvania State Police
- Document the scene with photos, witness information, and vehicle descriptions
- Obtain the police report for your insurance claim
- Notify your insurance company of the accident within 24 hours
- Preserve evidence before consulting a personal injury attorney
It is crucial to act quickly to find the driver and maximize your recovery. Lehigh Valley auto accident attorney Ed Shaughnessy can help you find responsible parties and hold them accountable.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Your Primary Recovery Option
Pennsylvania law treats a hit-and-run accident as an uninsured motorist claim. Your uninsured motorist coverage provides compensation when the driver is never found. This coverage pays medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the car crash. It can also help with permanent injuries caused by the fleeing vehicle. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is not required under PA law, but you must have it to qualify for compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be found. You can file a UM claim even as a pedestrian or passenger. Filing a UM claim does not raise your insurance rates under Pennsylvania law.
Finding the Hit and Run Driver in Lehigh County
When a driver flees after an accident, Allentown Police and Pennsylvania State Police perform investigations to identify them. Traffic cameras on Route 22 and in downtown Allentown often capture fleeing vehicles. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses can also help police identify the responsible driver. Witness statements and vehicle registration numbers can support the investigation. Social media appeals and anonymous tip lines may produce quick leads in a hit-and-run accident. Additionally, body shops sometimes report suspicious repairs. Many drivers involved in runaway accidents are identified within days, preserving additional recovery options for car accident victims.
Legal Consequences For Hit and Run First Time Offender PA
The law aims to protect car accident victims, ensure drivers involved render aid, and prevent drivers from avoiding responsibility. A driver who flees can face driver’s license suspension, criminal charges, and civil claims from the injured person. Criminal penalties depend on the circumstances of the crime.
Generally, if the accident involved property damage, the hit-and-run driver will face a third-degree misdemeanor charge. This crime is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
If the accident involved bodily injury, charges escalate to a first-degree misdemeanor. For accidents resulting in serious bodily injury, the courts can convict hit-and-run drivers of a third-degree felony. At this level, convicts are sentenced to a minimum fine of $1000 and a prison sentence of at least 90 days. Fines and prison terms can be much higher than these minimums.
If the victim dies, perpetrators face second-degree felony charges, with penalties including a prison term of no less than three years and a minimum fine of $2,500. Additionally, the court can issue enhanced sentencing if the victim dies as a result of the driver fleeing the accident scene. Surviving family members can seek legal support from Lehigh Valley wrongful death attorney Ed Shaughnessy.
Compensation For Hit and Run – Pennsylvania Insurance Company Requirements
Being injured in a hit-and-run accident can leave you with heavy financial losses. Pennsylvania law allows full compensation even if the driver fled the crash site. Your own insurer will cover some initial damages, with total coverage depending on your insurance terms. PIP insurance can cover medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment for permanent disabilities and disfigurement. It can also cover lost wages and lost earning capacity. You can include collision coverage for property damage to your own vehicle. Qualifying for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, depends on whether you opted for limited tort or full tort coverage. PIP and UM coverage can help cover wrongful death losses, but families typically receive more compensation by suing the at-fault driver. If your insurance provider tries to resist paying the amount you deserve, a Lehigh Valley, PA insurance litigation attorney like Ed Shaughnessy can help you contest bad faith claims.
When a Pennsylvania Hit and Run Driver Is Found: Additional Legal Options
If police identify the hit-and-run driver, you may file a civil claim to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. You can also pursue the driver’s auto insurance policy to cover medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. The courts may enter a judgment for full damages against the driver if they fled the accident scene and caused bodily injury. Pennsylvania law allows criminal restitution for victims under 18. Punitive damages may be available when the hit-and-run offense involves extreme or intentional conduct. You can also stack UM coverage with the other driver’s insurance coverage for additional recovery. Typical hit-and-run settlements range from $50,000 to more than $1,000,000, depending on injury severity. Lehigh Valley auto accident attorney Ed Shaughnessy helps victims secure adequate compensation through personal injury lawsuits.
Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Hit and Run Lawsuits
Pennsylvania gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This two-year limit applies to UM claims and claims against the hit-and-run driver. You may still sue the driver if they are identified later, as long as you remain within that two-year window. Wrongful death cases must be filed within two years of the date of death. Insurance company claim deadlines are much shorter, sometimes only days or weeks after the accident. Evidence disappears quickly, and missing deadlines can forfeit your right to compensation. For this reason, seeking immediate legal consultation after an accident is very important.
Contact a Lehigh Valley Hit and Run Accident Lawyer For a Free Consultation
You do not have to face the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident alone. PA car accident attorney Shaughnessy will review the accident, gather evidence, and, when possible, help you pursue legal action against the other party. You deserve skilled legal support as you recover from the physical injuries, stress, and financial worries. Attorney Shaughnessy works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing up front. Take action now so he can fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve recently been the victim of a hit-and-run in Pennsylvania, contact the Law Office of Ed Shaughnessy to schedule your free consultation. Call (610) 258-9955 or complete our online contact form to speak with our attorney.
