In the aftermath of a hit and run accident, you may feel overwhelmed. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and others. Here are 7 hit and run auto accident tips for Pennsylvania drivers to consider:
Drivers are required to stop immediately after an accident, regardless of fault. You must stop either at the scene of the accident or as close to the scene as possible without unnecessarily blocking traffic. This is true whether the accident results in personal injuries or damage to attended vehicles.
Your health comes first. Call 911 and remain in your car until help arrives if you’ve sustained serious injuries. Passengers have a duty to offer reasonable assistance, including arranging for healthcare professionals’ intervention, whenever you are disabled by injuries.
You must remain at, or swiftly return to, the scene of the accident. In a hit-and-run, the rogue motorist will not be available, so the purpose of staying there is to fulfill your responsibility of giving information and rendering aid to anyone else impacted by the collision.
Passengers have similar legal duties in the event you are physically incapacitated.
Although not every car accident must be reported to the police, you should alert them to the scene of a hit-and-run. At a minimum, the fleeing driver violated the law by failing to stop, render aid, and provide information. Your prompt report is imperative so the police can fully investigate.
Take photos, video, and notes at the scene of the accident, along with witnesses’ names and contact information. Preserve receipts of expenses related to the hit-and-run as they arise. This is evidence that could support your insurance claim and potential prosecution or lawsuit against the perpetrator.
In Pennsylvania, drivers can choose from limited or full tort insurance. Under limited tort, your insurance company reimburses you directly for harms sustained from the hit and run. But, if you have full tort, you may be denied payouts. Call your insurance company to determine the scope of your coverage.
A personal injury lawyer trained in Pennsylvania law can inform you of your rights and guide you in receiving compensation. A lawyer is particularly useful when the perpetrator is never located and your insurance company is refusing payouts.
Emotions run high after a hit and run, but staying calm and following these 7 tips empower you to regain a sense of control over the situation.
When in doubt, our experienced lawyers could help you assert your rights and recover for your losses. Call now to learn more.