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No matter the circumstances, everyone involved in a traffic accident in Pennsylvania must stop at the scene, summon emergency services for anyone who needs them, exchange contact and insurance information with other involved parties, and wait for the police to arrive before leaving the scene. Failing to do any of these things is not just a breach of common courtesy—it is a severe criminal offense that can carry steep fines and even jail or prison time upon conviction.
Despite that, there are still plenty of hit-and-run car accidents in Erie each year, many of which result in severe and even life-altering injuries. If you were hurt recently by a negligent driver who then illegally fled the scene of the crash they caused, you should strongly consider seeking help from a seasoned car accident attorney who has handled similar situations successfully in the past.
Recovering Through Insurance After a Hit-and-Run Crash
Pennsylvania state law takes a no-fault approach to car insurance and car accident lawsuits, under which an injured person’s first option for financial recovery after a wreck is virtually always the personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage included in their auto insurance policy. Depending on what type of policy that injured person has and how serious their injuries are, they may also be able to file suit against the person who caused their crash if PIP insurance does not cover all their accident-related injuries.
What makes hit-and-run car crashes in Erie uniquely complicated is that police officers are not always able to track down drivers who break the law in this way. This means people injured in that wreck cannot name a specific other person at fault for their damages. In situations like this, one course of action may be to take advantage of other insurance coverage, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, as a skilled attorney can explain in more detail.
Holding a Hit-and-Run Driver at Fault for a Wreck
Even if a hit-and-run driver is identified and arrested following a car accident in Erie, the fact that they committed a hit-and-run offense does not automatically make them civilly liable for the wreck. Instead, any person injured in that wreck would still need to establish that the hit-and-run driver directly caused the crash through their own negligence. In other words, through a specific reckless, careless, and illegal act behind the wheel, such as a traffic violation, drunk driving, or distracted driving.
This can require various types of evidence from numerous sources, including:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos/videos from the crash scene
- Surveillance/dashboard camera footage
- Input from accident reconstruction experts
- Accident reports created by responding police officers
Guidance from capable legal counsel can be essential to finding, preserving, and effectively using all the information available after a specific crash.
Seek Help From an Erie Attorney with a Hit-and-Run Car Accident Claim Today
Being injured in a car crash caused by someone who then tries to escape responsibility for their actions illegally is a uniquely frustrating experience. As much as possible, it is important to stay calm and be proactive in a situation like this, and that usually starts with making sure you have experienced legal counsel on your side quickly after your wreck occurs.
Working closely with a dependable lawyer can simplify and streamline every step for suing over a hit and run car accident in Erie. Learn more about your legal options by calling the attorneys at Lowenthal & Abrams today.
