When you get into a vehicle, the last thing on your mind is getting into an accident. Unfortunately, car crashes are not uncommon in and around the Philadelphia area. When these incidents involve a hit-and-run driver, victims can struggle to secure the compensation they are entitled to. At Solomon, Sherman & Gabay, our team is here to help when you need a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia. We understand that these cases are complicated, and we will use our resources to investigate the incident, determine liability, and secure the compensation you need from whatever outlet available.
According to data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were more than 125,000 total vehicle crashes that caused 1,059 fatalities and more than 76,000 injuries. The DOT does not keep track of how many of these crashes were hit-and-run related, but we do know that these incidents occur regularly and cause significant injuries in the Philly area.
Hit-and-run crashes can affect drivers and passengers inside vehicles as well as motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Incidents involving these vulnerable roadway users tend to lead to more significant injuries.
Pennsylvania operates under both a no-fault and fault-based accident system, though drivers have to choose which system they want to use when they purchase insurance. The hybrid insurance laws in Pennsylvania are complex, and this can make securing compensation after a hit-and-run crash complicated.
Drivers who do choose to opt-in to the no-fault insurance system in Pennsylvania will turn to their own insurance carrier for compensation after a crash, regardless of which party caused the incident. If a person is injured by a hit-and-run driver and they use the no-fault system, they will turn to their own insurance carrier. However, the hit-and-run crash victim will only be able to recover compensation amounts up to the limits allowed under their policy.
For drivers in Pennsylvania who use the fault-based system, they may have a harder time securing coverage of their medical bills after a hit-and-run crash. If the hit-and-run driver is not apprehended, or if the liable driver does not have insurance, the injury victim could turn to their uninsured motorist coverage. However, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is not required by law, and not every driver chooses to carry this type of coverage.
It may be possible to secure compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the hit-and-run driver if the driver is apprehended by law enforcement. However, these cases can become complicated, and the negligent party may not have the financial resources available to pay out any claim awarded.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a hit-and-run accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, contact the team at Solomon, Sherman & Gabay today. We have extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases, including hit-and-run and uninsured motorist crashes. Let our team investigate the case and help secure the compensation you need, including coverage for medical expenses, lost income, property damage expenses, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Philadelphia hit-and-run accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-665-1100.