Being injured in a hit-and-run accident can be overwhelming, especially when the driver responsible leaves you to deal with the aftermath alone. While these cases can present unique challenges, you may still have legal options to recover compensation.
At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our attorneys are committed to helping injury victims throughout Western Pennsylvania pursue accountability and the compensation they deserve.
Pennsylvania law requires every driver involved in an accident causing injury or death to stop, remain at the scene, and exchange information. Under 75 Pa. C.S. ยง 3742, leaving the scene of an injury accident is a criminal offense.
Although the driver may face criminal penalties, the criminal case is separate from your civil claim for compensation. Even if the driver cannot immediately be identified, you may still have options for recovering your losses.
One of the first questions people ask after a hit and run crash is who will pay for their medical expenses and other losses. The answer depends on the facts of your case and the insurance coverage available.
Potential sources of compensation may include:
Reviewing every available source of coverage is an important step in maximizing your recovery.
Evidence can disappear quickly after a hit and run collision.
Security cameras may automatically overwrite footage. Witnesses may become difficult to locate. Vehicle debris, paint transfer, and skid marks can disappear within days or even hours.
Taking action early also allows your attorney to:
Early action can strengthen your claim, whether the driver is eventually identified or your case proceeds through uninsured motorist coverage.
Under 42 Pa. C.S. ยง 5524, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident. Waiting too long may prevent you from pursuing compensation.
Although Pennsylvania law provides a two-year filing deadline, your insurance policy may require that a hit and run accident be reported much sooner. Prompt notice helps protect your uninsured motorist claim and allows important evidence to be preserved.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system under 42 Pa. C.S. ยง 7102. You may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible for the accident, although your recovery may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Many hit and run injury lawsuits in Pittsburgh are filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Understanding how these cases are investigated and presented can make a meaningful difference as your claim moves forward.
Every hit and run case presents different challenges. Our goal is to identify every available source of compensation while protecting your rights throughout the process.
We handle hit and run accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.
Our firm represents clients injured in many different types of hit and run accidents, including:
Hit and run cases often involve both accident investigations and complex insurance issues.
Whether the responsible driver is identified or your claim proceeds through uninsured motorist coverage, our attorneys work to protect your interests from the very beginning.
For more than four decades, Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., has represented injury victims throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We understand how overwhelming these cases can feel, and we work to make the legal process as straightforward as possible while pursuing the compensation our clients deserve.
In many cases, yes. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your policy may provide benefits when the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Yes. Many insurance policies require prompt notice before uninsured motorist benefits are available. Reporting the accident promptly can help protect your claim.
Pennsylvania law generally requires either physical contact with the unidentified vehicle or independent corroborating evidence, such as an eyewitness, to support an uninsured motorist claim when a “phantom vehicle” causes an accident without hitting you directly, for example if a driver swerves into your lane and forces you off the road. Your own testimony alone is typically not enough. This requirement can significantly affect what evidence is needed to pursue your claim.
Evidence may include traffic camera footage, surveillance videos from nearby businesses, witness statements, photographs, vehicle debris, paint transfer, and information gathered during the police investigation.
You may still have a valid uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance policy. An attorney can also investigate whether additional sources of compensation may be available.
Under 42 Pa. C.S. ยง 5524, Pennsylvania generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, although insurance policies often contain separate notice requirements that may apply much sooner.
We represent hit and run accident victims on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
A driver fleeing the scene can make an already stressful situation even more overwhelming, but it doesn’t necessarily prevent you from seeking compensation. Our attorneys can investigate your case, identify potential sources of compensation, and advocate for your rights every step of the way.
Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
