Hit and Run

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC “KM&A” is a personal injury law firm with lawyers serving all of Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one have been involved in a hit an run accident we invite you to contact us for a consultation. Call a KM&A personal injury lawyer at 412-626-5626 or email us at lawyer@lawkm.com. 

All car accidents can be frightening, stressful situations. When emotions are heightened, some drivers will flee the scene of the accident to avoid potential liability, leaving you to fend for yourself without knowing that you will be adequately compensated. Whether you were the victim of a hit and run or you fled the scene of the accident before considering the consequences, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you are able to navigate through the oftentimes confusing legal framework that follows a hit and run accident.

What is a Hit and Run Accident?

Pennsylvania drivers have a legal responsibility following an accident to stop and share their information with the other driver or attempt to contact the owner of an empty car or other unmanned property. Criminal charges and other legal penalties may arise if someone leaves the scene of the accident, even if the damage seems minor. Specifically, all parties to an accident are required to provide:

• Their name and address
• Registration information
• Driver’s license information
• Insurance  information
• License plate number
• Assistance in the event of injury

Penalties for Fleeing the Scene of an Accident

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer: 412-626-5626

The penalties for leaving the scene will vary depending on what type of damage resulted from the accident, but will often involve fines, jail time, and/or revocation of a driver’s license. When someone is injured as a result of a vehicle accident, all parties are required to remain on the scene until medical help arrives. Drivers who fail to follow this requirement can face up to 10 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.

Protecting Yourself Before a Hit and Run Occurs

In Pennsylvania, it is possible to obtain Uninsured Motorist Coverage as part of your insurance plan. While such protection is mainly used in instances where an accident victim is struck by a driver who is uninsured or does not have insurance information available, it can also be helpful to victims of hit and run accidents by compensating them for some or all of their injuries. If you have been the victim of a hit and run, check your insurance plan to see if you qualify for Uninsured Motorist Coverage.

What to Do Immediately After a Hit and Run Occurs

Some detective work may be required to identify the perpetrator of a hit and run accident. Any information you can gather as to the identity and characteristics of the driver who has fled the scene will be helpful in assuring you are adequately compensated. Some actions to take immediately following the accident:

• Note the date, time and location at which the accident occurred
• Write down any information you can recall regarding the person or people who fled the scene, including any sort of identifying characteristics of the vehicle they were driving (including the license plate number, if possible), any physical characteristics of the people involved, and anything you may have heard them say before they fled.
• See if you can find any witnesses to the accident. If possible, gather their contact information and ask them exactly what it is they saw.
• Contact the police and file an accident report. This is where all your observations will come in handy; your notes from the scene of the accident will go into the official police report and will help law enforcement to track down whoever fled the scene.
• If you have uninsured motorist coverage, file a claim with your insurance company.

What to Avoid Following a Hit and Run Accident

Maintaining your composure as well as you are able immediately following a hit and run is the best thing you can do in this situation. While emotions may be high following a hit and run, it is important not to chase after the fleeing vehicle. You have no way of knowing whether or not the person you are chasing is dangerous, and given your emotional state, you are at a heightened risk of driving recklessly, which could lead to more serious complications.

I Fled the Scene of an Accident – Now What Do I Do?

People can flee the scene of an accident for a number of reasons. They may have been driving under a suspended license, driving while intoxicated, driving without insurance, or even just scared of the repercussions. That said, the consequences for fleeing the scene of an accident can be severe. If you left the scene of the accident without talking to or assisting the other driver, don’t assume everything will eventually work itself out. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as you can to mitigate any damages and make sure you aren’t penalized harsher than necessary.   Whether you were the victim of a hit and run or you fled the scene of an accident, it is important to contact an attorney with experience in personal injury to make sure you understand your rights. The attorneys at KM&A can help you sort through the confusion that inevitably follows a hit and run accident. Call us at (412) 626-5626 today.

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