You’re driving through Scranton after work or heading home on Interstate 81 when another vehicle suddenly slams into your car. Before you can process what happened, the other driver speeds away, leaving you injured, shaken, and wondering how you are supposed to pay for your medical bills and car repairs when the at-fault person disappears.
Hit and run accidents can leave victims feeling especially frustrated and confused. In addition to painful injuries and vehicle damage, they often face uncertainty about whether the driver will ever be identified and whether any insurance coverage is available to pay for their losses.
At The Slocum Firm, our Scranton hit and run accident lawyers help injured people understand their legal rights and identify every possible source of financial recovery after serious collisions. Even when the at-fault driver cannot be located, Pennsylvania law and your own insurance coverage may still provide important options for your future.
Call (570) 209-7376 to speak directly with our attorneys. We are available 24/7, and you will never pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why You Should Choose The Slocum Firm for Your Hit and Run Accident Claim
Hit and run cases can be more complicated than ordinary car accident claims because you don’t know the identity of the person who caused the crash. When the other driver doesn’t stay and provide their information, important evidence can disappear quickly, you may not be able to gather witness details, and insurance companies will likely dispute whether the unidentified driver caused the crash.
At The Slocum Firm, we know how to aggressively investigate these cases while helping injured clients navigate complex insurance issues and coverage disputes. Clients throughout Pennsylvania choose our firm because we offer:
- Millions of dollars recovered for accident victims across Pennsylvania
- A 95+% success rate for our injured clients
- 50+ years of combined legal experience
- Direct access to our attorneys by phone or text
- Availability anytime for updates and questions
- Contingency fees, which means no upfront legal fees or hourly billing
We understand how stressful it can feel when the driver responsible for your injuries leaves you at the scene of the accident. Our goal is to help you regain stability while protecting your legal rights and financial future.
What Is Considered a Hit and Run Accident in Pennsylvania?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver leaves the scene of a crash without stopping to provide legally required information or assist injured people. Under Pennsylvania law, when someone is involved in an accident that causes death or personal injury, the law requires drivers to:
- Stop at the scene
- Provide identifying and insurance information
- Report certain accidents to law enforcement
- Render reasonable aid when injuries are involved
When a driver flees, they may face both criminal penalties for violating the law and civil liability for the injuries and losses they cause.
Our team of hit and run lawyers in Scranton handles cases involving:
- Vehicle-to-vehicle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle crashes
- Parked vehicle damage
- Multi-vehicle accidents
Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident?
Many hit and run drivers leave because they fear the consequences of remaining at the scene and being held responsible for violating laws and paying for the accident victims’ damages. While each situation is different, some common reasons may include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Lack of insurance
- Driving on a suspended driver’s license
- Outstanding criminal warrants
- Fear of criminal charges
- Panic after causing a serious collision
Unfortunately, fleeing often makes the situation worse for the at-fault driver and even more difficult for seriously injured victims. When you’ve been injured by a hit and run driver, we can fight for your rights and help recover the compensation you deserve.
Where Do Hit and Run Accidents Commonly Happen in Scranton?
Hit and run accidents can happen anywhere, but they often occur in situations where drivers believe they can escape quickly or avoid identification. In Scranton, these crashes might occur:
- Along Interstate 81 and Route 6
- In downtown intersections
- Near bars and restaurants
- In parking lots and garages
- During nighttime or low-visibility conditions
- In pedestrian-heavy areas near the University of Scranton or commercial districts
Many hit and run accidents also occur after impaired drivers leave bars or entertainment venues late at night.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Accident?
After a hit and run crash, your first priority should always be your health and safety. Once emergency medical concerns are addressed, several steps may help preserve important evidence and protect your claim.
Report the Accident Immediately
It is extremely important to contact law enforcement as soon as possible in hit and run cases. The police will investigate the accident scene and create a report that can help document what happened. They also may take witness statements, perform accident reconstruction, and help locate the driver.
Gather and Preserve Available Information
Try to remember and write down every fact and detail about the accident. Even partial details may become useful later, including:
- Vehicle descriptions, including make, model, and color
- License plate fragments
- The other vehicle’s direction of travel before and after the crash
- Witness contact information
- Nearby business surveillance locations
Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you don’t feel injured at the scene, let a medical professional examine you for injuries that may not appear immediately after the collision. The rush of adrenaline can mask pain and serious problems like brain and spinal injuries or soft tissue damage.
Creating a medical record close to the time of the collision not only helps track your recovery, but it also creates important documentation connecting your injuries to the accident.
Avoid Quick Insurance Decisions
Insurance companies usually move quickly after vehicle accidents. They will likely question a hit and run claim or try to dispute your version of how the accident occurred. Speak with our experienced hit and run accident attorneys to fully understand your rights before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer.
How Are Hit and Run Accidents Investigated?
Many people assume that once the driver leaves, there is little chance of finding them. However, modern investigations often involve much more than eyewitness accounts. Our team can search for Important evidence to support your claim, which may include:
Surveillance Footage
Traffic cameras, nearby businesses, gas stations, and residential security systems may capture the vehicle before or after the collision.
Vehicle Debris
Broken mirrors, paint transfer, shattered headlights, or vehicle fragments can sometimes help identify the make or model of the fleeing vehicle.
Witness Testimony
Even brief observations from witnesses can provide critical details about the vehicle or driver.
Accident Reconstruction
Crash reconstruction experts may analyze impact patterns, roadway evidence, and vehicle damage to determine how the collision occurred.
Digital Evidence
In some cases, nearby vehicle data systems or dash cameras may provide additional evidence.
Because much of this evidence is challenging to obtain and can disappear quickly, we need to start investigating as soon as possible. Contact our team today to get started.
Can You Still Recover Compensation if the Driver Is Never Found?
Yes, in many situations, you may have other legal options beyond the at-fault driver. This is one of the biggest differences between hit and run accidents and many other car accident claims. Even if the fleeing driver is never identified, compensation may still be available through your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Pennsylvania drivers can purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to protect themselves in situations involving unidentified or uninsured drivers. In many hit and run cases, the unidentified driver is legally treated as an uninsured motorist for accident purposes.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work in a Hit and Run Case?
Uninsured motorist claims are often filed through your own insurance company after a hit and run accident. What surprises many people is that even though you are dealing with your own insurer, the insurance company will likely investigate the claim closely and may dispute coverage or the amount of compensation requested.
To pursue a UM claim, it is generally necessary to show:
- A hit and run accident occurred
- The unidentified driver caused the crash
- You suffered injuries and damages
- The cost of your losses and legal damages
Insurance companies sometimes challenge whether another vehicle was actually involved, especially in cases without witnesses or physical contact. When you share your experience with our skilled car accident lawyers, we can explain how we’ll build a claim on your behalf to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Is Available After a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run crash can create significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Compensation may include both immediate and long-term losses related to the accident, including:
Medical Expenses
Compensation may include emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, physical therapy, and anticipated future medical treatment.
Lost Income and Future Earnings
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover current lost wages and compensation for future earning limitations caused by the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Pennsylvania law may allow compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, and disruption to daily life caused by the crash. We know that hit and run victims often experience additional emotional distress because the responsible driver intentionally fled the scene.
Long-Term Impact
Serious injuries may result in chronic pain, permanent disability, or long-term care needs that significantly affect your future quality of life.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, we work hard to determine all related losses and concerns and demand compensation for those expenses in your injury claim.
What If the Insurance Company Questions My Claim?
Insurance companies often investigate hit and run claims aggressively because there is no other identified driver to dispute the facts. Without another driver to blame, insurers may attempt to argue:
- The accident happened differently than you reported
- Another vehicle was not actually involved, so you are at fault
- Injuries are unrelated or exaggerated
- Medical treatment was unnecessary
- The claim was reported too late
Even though the claim may involve your own policy, the insurance company still has a financial incentive to minimize claim payments.
What Happens if the Police Later Identify the Driver?
In some cases, the fleeing driver is eventually located through witness information, surveillance footage, or police investigation. When this happens, additional legal options may become available.
Depending on the circumstances, your case may then involve:
- Liability insurance claims against the fleeing driver
- Punitive damages arguments
- Criminal DUI evidence if the other driver was impaired
- Additional third-party liability claims
Leaving the scene of an accident can significantly affect how juries and insurance companies view the driver’s conduct. If the other driver is identified, we can argue that their actions are evidence of their negligence to strengthen your injury claim.
How Our Team Helps After a Hit and Run Crash
Hit and run cases often require fast investigation, insurance analysis, and evidence preservation. Our attorneys help clients by:
- Investigating the collision thoroughly
- Gathering surveillance and witness evidence
- Reviewing available insurance coverage
- Handling communication with insurers
- Calculating long-term damages and future losses
- Preparing all cases for arbitration or litigation when necessary
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accident Cases
Do hit and run accidents always involve uninsured motorist claims?
Often, yes. When the fleeing driver cannot be identified, uninsured motorist coverage frequently becomes the primary source of compensation.
What if I was injured as a pedestrian in a hit and run accident?
Pedestrians injured in hit and run accidents may still have access to insurance coverage through their own auto policy or household members’ policies.
What if the driver was intoxicated?
Many hit and run drivers flee because they are under the influence and do not want to face criminal charges. If the driver is later identified, and there is DUI evidence, it may strengthen your injury claim.
What if I only remember part of the license plate on the fleeing vehicle?
Partial information can still become extremely important. Police and investigators may be able to narrow down possible vehicles using vehicle descriptions and surveillance footage.
Can I still recover compensation if there was no contact between vehicles?
Possibly. Some hit and run cases involve drivers forcing another vehicle off the road without physical contact. These claims can be more complicated, but compensation may still be available.
How long do I have to file a hit and run injury claim or lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Insurance claim deadlines may vary depending on both Pennsylvania law and the insurance policy language. We can review your insurance policies and explain the applicable time frames for your situation.
Under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident. However, there are exceptions to the general rules that may shorten this deadline. It is important to speak with a dedicated hit and run accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Contact Our Scranton Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Today
A hit and run accident can leave you feeling angry, frustrated, and uncertain about how you will recover financially after a serious crash. You should not have to face insurance disputes and legal complications alone while trying to heal.
Call The Slocum Firm today to speak directly with our Scranton hit and run accident lawyers. We are available 24/7, and you will never pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Since 2009, our attorneys have helped injured people throughout Pennsylvania recover millions of dollars while maintaining a 95% recovery rate. When you contact our team, our attorneys can explain your rights, answer your questions, and help you understand your next steps.
If you were injured in a hit and run accident in Scranton or anywhere in Pennsylvania, contact The Slocum Firm today at (570) 209-7376 for a free consultation.
