7 Things to Do After a Hit-And-Run in Philadelphia
One moment, you’re driving through the streets of Philadelphia, maybe on I-76, in South Philly, or through Center City, and the next, another vehicle crashes into yours and speeds off without stopping. No license plate. No apology. No accountability. It’s a gut-punch of shock, confusion, and frustration.
And unfortunately, it’s not uncommon. As of mid-October 2024, Philadelphia recorded 473 hit-and-run crashes, including 36 fatal incidents. Just two years earlier, hit-and-run cases hit an all-time high, accounting for 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths, a sharp rise from 20 percent in 2020. These numbers represent individuals who have been blindsided and left to cope with the aftermath on their own.
If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run, you’re not powerless. There are steps you can take right now to protect your health, your rights, and your chances of securing justice.
Here are seven essential things to do after a hit-and-run in Philadelphia and why contacting a hit-and-run accident lawyer should be one of them.
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Make Sure You’re Safe and Get Medical Help
After a hit-and-run, your priority is your safety. If your vehicle is drivable, move to the side of the road. If you’re injured or your car is too damaged to move, stay put and call 911.
Even if you feel fine, don’t assume you’re uninjured. Adrenaline can hide pain in the first few moments. Some injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage may not show up until hours or even days later.
Go to the emergency room or urgent care as soon as possible. Whether you’re dealing with back pain, headaches, dizziness, or just a general sense that something isn’t right, let a medical professional evaluate you.
Medical records are the foundation of any injury claim, and medical documentation is the first building block in your case. If you wait too long to see a doctor, insurance companies will use that delay to argue that your injuries aren’t related to the crash.
In Philadelphia, you can find emergency care at major hospitals like Jefferson, Penn Presbyterian, or Temple. If you’re unsure where to go, the emergency dispatcher can direct you.
Call the Police and File a Report
The driver fled. You don’t have their name or insurance. You might wonder: what’s the point of calling the police? Here’s the answer: Filing a police report isn’t just a formality. It’s a key part of protecting your legal rights. Without an official report, it becomes your word against no one. That can make everything more complicated, including insurance claims, legal action, and even potential criminal charges if the driver is eventually caught.
When you speak to the dispatcher, give them as much detail as possible: the location of the accident, direction the other vehicle was headed, color or make of the car, and whether anyone is injured.
When officers arrive, they’ll survey the scene, speak to witnesses, and document the damage. This creates an official record you and your attorney can use later. In some cases, officers may even be able to locate the driver using traffic camera footage or license plate recognition systems.
In Philadelphia, hit-and-run cases are investigated by the Accident Investigation Division (AID) of the Philadelphia Police Department. After the report is filed, request a copy or obtain the report number. You’ll need it for your insurance claim and to provide to your car accident lawyer.
Collect All the Evidence You Can
In a hit-and-run, evidence fades fast. The car is gone, but the scene still holds critical details, if you act quickly. Here’s what to look for before you leave the area:
- Photos: Take pictures of your vehicle, any visible injuries, the surrounding area, skid marks, shattered glass, debris, and road signs. Include wide-angle shots that show traffic patterns or where you were positioned on the road.
- Witnesses: If anyone saw the crash, speak to them immediately. Ask for their names, phone numbers, and a description of what they saw. Even a glance at the fleeing vehicle can be helpful.
- Camera Footage: In Philly, many intersections, especially in Center City, have traffic cameras. Local businesses, gas stations, and homes may have private surveillance systems that captured the incident.
- Anything Left Behind: Sometimes, the fleeing car leaves behind paint, broken lights, or even parts of a license plate. Don’t touch anything, photograph it.
Preserve everything you gather. Upload photos to a secure folder, save names and numbers, and jot down every detail you remember. The more your car accident attorney has to work with, the stronger your claim will be.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve received medical attention and filed a police report, the next call should be to your insurance company.
Stick to the facts. Tell them when and where the hit-and-run happened, describe the damage, and share the police report number. Don’t speculate or try to explain what happened; just provide the details you know.
Here’s where things can get tricky: since the at-fault driver left the scene, you may need to file a claim under your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Pennsylvania law doesn’t require drivers to carry UM coverage, but many do. If you have it, this coverage can help pay for medical bills, lost earnings, and even pain and suffering.
Your insurer may also ask for a recorded statement. You’re not legally required to give one without consulting a lawyer, and in many cases, it’s better if you don’t. Insurance companies often seek ways to limit the amount they pay. A car accident attorney can help make sure you don’t accidentally say something that hurts your claim.
Keep all communications documented. Note the names of the adjusters you speak with, claim numbers, and summaries of each conversation.
Look for Witnesses or Video Evidence
If you didn’t get much information at the scene, you may still be able to find helpful evidence after the fact. Revisit the area where the crash occurred. Knock on doors. Ask business owners if they have security footage. In many cases, video from outside a corner store or apartment building has been the key to identifying a hit-and-run driver.
Time matters here. Most surveillance systems automatically delete old footage within a few days. The sooner you act, the better the chances of preserving helpful video. You can also post in local community groups. Philadelphia has active forums on Facebook, Reddit, and Nextdoor where residents often share footage or information after a crash. You might be surprised by how helpful the community can be.
If you reported the incident to the police, they may also be able to request footage from the city’s traffic cameras. Your car accident lawyer can assist with this process too and make formal requests if needed.
Contact a Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Philadelphia
At this point, you’ve done everything right. You’ve gotten medical care, filed a police report, notified your insurer, and tried to gather evidence.
Now it’s time to protect your future. Dealing with a hit-and-run isn’t just about fixing a car or getting a check from insurance. It’s about holding someone accountable for leaving you in a vulnerable, dangerous situation. It’s about recovering from your injuries, your missed workdays, your trauma. That’s where a car accident lawyer comes in.
If police investigations stall, a car accident attorney may work with private investigators to uncover new leads. This can include gathering surveillance footage, tracking down witnesses, or identifying vehicle fragments. They also handle all the legal paperwork and ensure deadlines are met, reducing the risk of delays or denials. If you’re struggling with medical bills, your attorney can speak with providers to delay collections or negotiate liens. They’ll move quickly to preserve evidence, such as 911 recordings or phone records, if distracted driving is suspected.
If the at-fault driver is found, your lawyer can file a civil lawsuit and represent you in court. Even if criminal charges are pending, your attorney can still help you pursue compensation. Throughout the process, they act as your representative, dealing with insurance companies, investigators, and other parties, so you’re not facing this alone.
And here’s something many people don’t realize: you don’t pay anything upfront. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means they only get paid if you receive compensation. There’s no risk in reaching out, but there is a risk in going it alone. Insurance companies have legal teams protecting their bottom line. You deserve someone who’s looking out for you.
Follow Up on the Investigation and Your Medical Treatment
After the initial chaos of a hit-and-run, the process doesn’t end. Staying organized and consistent can make a big difference in how your case turns out.
- Check in with police: If you haven’t heard updates, call the precinct and ask for the officer handling your case. Provide any new evidence or leads you’ve found.
- Attend every medical appointment: Gaps in treatment can be used by insurance companies to argue your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Follow your doctor’s recommendations, attend physical therapy, and get referrals when needed.
- Document your recovery: Keep a simple journal of symptoms, pain levels, medications, emotional distress, and how your injuries affect your daily life.
- Track all expenses: This includes medical bills, co-pays, travel to appointments, missed workdays, property damage, and other costs such as canceled vacations or childcare expenses.
Your lawyer can help compile all of this information into a strong claim that reflects the full impact the accident has had on your life.
What Happens If the Driver Is Found Later?
Sometimes, hit-and-run drivers get caught days, weeks, or even months later. Surveillance footage, witness tips, or forensic evidence can all lead to a break in the case. If that happens, you still have legal options.
- Criminal charges: The driver may face charges for leaving the scene of an accident.
- Civil lawsuit: Your attorney can file a lawsuit for damages directly against the driver, especially if their insurance is inadequate or they acted recklessly.
- Restitution: If the driver is convicted, the court may order them to pay restitution to cover your losses.
The more thorough your records, the easier it is to take action when new information surfaces.
Hit-And-Run Laws in Philadelphia
PA Vehicle Code §75, Ch. 37 strictly prohibits fleeing a crash scene. § 3745 governs damage-only incidents (property collisions), requiring drivers to stop, identify themselves, or leave a secure note with contact and insurance info, and inform police. Fleeing is a summary offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $300. If the crash involves an attended vehicle or property, § 3743 upgrades the offense to a third-degree misdemeanor, carrying a potential penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
More severe penalties apply for accidents causing injury or death. Under §3742, leaving the scene of a crash that injures another is a first-degree misdemeanor. If serious bodily injury occurs, it becomes a third-degree felony, resulting in a minimum 90-day prison sentence plus a mandatory $1,000 fine. A hit-and-run resulting in death is a second-degree felony, with at least three years behind bars and a minimum $2,500 fine. All drivers involved must also render aid and report the accident under § 3744, regardless of injury severity.
How Insurance Works After a Hit-and-Run in Philadelphia
When a hit‑and‑run driver flees the scene in Philadelphia, your UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage is your first line of defense. Pennsylvania law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, though it isn’t mandatory to purchase it. If you’ve been hit and the responsible driver disappeared, this coverage can pay for your medical bills, lost income, and property damage up to your policy limits.
Pennsylvania mandates at least $5,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for medical expenses. UM/UIM minimums typically start at $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, with a separate minimum of $5,000 for property damage. These limits can be inadequate for serious injuries or vehicle repairs above policy caps.
If your policy includes collision coverage, it can cover vehicle repairs beyond UM limits, minus a deductible. Once PIP is exhausted, your health insurance may cover medical costs. Without UM/UIM, recovery options narrow: you might sue the unidentified driver, but success depends on finding them and whether they have assets.
A Car Accident Attorney is Standing By
Leonard Hill – Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run in Philadelphia, don’t face the aftermath alone. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate insurance claims, gather evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Reach out to a lawyer today for a free consultation. The sooner you act, the stronger your case can be.