Can I Recover for a Hit and Run Car Accident in Philadelphia?

Yes, personal injury attorney Troy Crichton recently recovered $100,000.00 for a hit and run car accident in Philadelphia. The client  was rear-ended late at night on City line Avenue in Philadelphia and the perpetrator drove off without leaving his/her information. The impact of the accident caused the client to strike her knees on the dashboard. Almost immediately after the accident, the client began to have trouble ambulating and eventually went to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with contusions.  After a few weeks passed, she continued to have trouble walking and followed up with her primary care physician who referred her to an orthopedic consult. She then underwent an MRI which revealed a partial ACL tear which would require an arthroscopic surgical repair.  She never received the surgery, but Philadelphia personal injury lawyer Troy Crichton was able to convince her insurance company that her injury was worth in excess of her $100,000 uninsured motorist policy limit. After a few weeks of negotiations, her insurance company agreed to tender the entire policy.

Can I recover for hit and run car accident if the other driver didn’t have insurance?

If you purchased uninsured motorist coverage on your auto policy you can recover from your own policy as long as you are not at fault.  This applies to all accidents caused by a motor vehicle. Even if you are not in your motor vehicle at the time of the accident, uninsured motorist coverage still applies.  For example, if you are riding your bicycle and a driver forces you onto the side of the road and you fall and break your wrist, you can still recover for the injuries under your own car insurance policy.  Similarly, if you are a pedestrian and you are struck by a vehicle that speeds off, you can still recover under your own insurance policy. Be sure to purchased underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage when you re-do your car insurance coverages.  Remember Underinsured and Uninsured coverages protect YOU, while liability protects others.

What Should I do if I’m a hit and run car accident victim?

1. Call the police and tell the dispatch the other vehicle left the scene.  Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime.  Even in Philadelphia, the police will respond to hit and run accidents
2. Try to remember any details of the vehicle that struck you…make and model…color…direction it drove off in.
3. Call an ambulance. Coupled with the police report an ambulance report will provide sufficient notice to give you insurance company notice of the specifics of the accident.
4. Call a lawyer.  Uninsured motorist cases can be complicated and you don’t want to waive any of your rights by unknowingly speaking to your own insurance company.  Hire a lawyer to do the talking for you, while you concentrate on getting better.

Call for a Free Hit and Run Car Accident Consultation

If you have already been in an accident, do not rush to accept a car accident settlement from an auto insurance company. A settlement may seem like what you need, but it may not cover everything to which you are entitled. We understand the costs it can take to rehabilitate from a severe injury, but we also understand what your injuries are worth. Remember that auto insurance adjusters work for the insurance company–not you. Low offers are designed to keep their company profits high. They are not on your side, but we are! Call (267) 225-3317 to speak to our lawyers today for your free consultation.

If you want to know more about auto/car accidents, read the informational blogs here.