Suffering a pedestrian accident can be a traumatic experience. Thankfully, you may be able to acquire financial compensation for the injuries you sustained. However, the route to payment can become more complicated if the motorist who hit you committed a hit and run.
If the driver who hit you fled the scene and was later identified and apprehended, then they may be held responsible for the damages caused by your injuries. On the other hand, if they were not identified, there may still be options for pursuing monetary damages. For example, you may be able to file a claim for benefits under your own insurance policy.
After suffering a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania, seek support from our experienced Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys by calling the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 to evaluate your potential case for free.
Who Provides Payment After a Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Pennsylvania?
After a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania, the victim may recover damages by bringing a claim against the driver responsible for their collision. Unfortunately, some drivers flee the scenes of their pedestrian accidents before they can be identified.
If the motorist who caused your crash fled the scene and was later identified, then you may sue them for the injuries you sustained. For your case to succeed, you must be able to show that your accident occurred as a result of the defendant’s negligence and that you suffered injuries as a result. Furthermore, you must demonstrate that your injuries led to actual damages.
If the motorist who caused your crash fled the scene and was not identified, then you may be able to recover compensation from other sources. For instance, your own insurance policy may provide benefits under uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. These provisions are intended to offer payment to victims when at-fault drivers cannot be held accountable.
Cases involving hit and run accidents can be highly complex. After suffering such an accident, our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys can help obtain the financial compensation you are owed. During your free case review, we will analyze your case and explain the appropriate course of action.
How to File an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claim After a Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Pennsylvania
There are multiple actions you must take when seeking to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim after a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, our legal team can help navigate each step of the process.
First, you must notify your insurance company of your collision as soon as possible. You should provide them with all the necessary details, including the date, time, and location of your accident. Also, you should attempt to supply them with any available information about the vehicle involved, and your injuries.
After notifying your insurance company of your crash, you should get in touch with our Reading, PA car accident injury lawyers quickly. We can help follow your insurers instructions for filing your claim, assess the value of your case, and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
Damages the Identified Driver May Be Responsible for After a Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Pennsylvania
As previously mentioned, if the at-fault driver who fled the scene of your pedestrian accident is later identified, then you may sue them for the damages you sustained. Any of the following forms of compensation may be available through your pedestrian accident lawsuit:
Medical Bills
First, you can obtain payment for any medical bills you incur as the result of your pedestrian accident injuries. This includes expenses for any past, current, or future medical treatment you require. Typically, such damages are proven by presenting your medical bills and records. Accordingly, it is important to seek treatment for your injuries quickly after your collision. If your injuries heal before they can be documented by a physician, then the settlement process can become much more complicated.
Lost Income
Many victims of pedestrian accidents have to spend time away from their jobs while their injuries are healing. Fortunately, you can also obtain payment for any lost income you suffer because of your pedestrian accident injuries. These damages will likely be calculated using your average weekly wage.
Furthermore, you may be entitled to monetary damages for your lost future earning capacity if your injuries permanently restrict your ability to work going forward. However, the process for recovering such damages can be tiresome. Copious amounts of evidence may be necessary to support your claim for lost future income.
Pain and Suffering
Additionally, you may acquire compensation for non-economic damages caused by your pedestrian accident injuries. For instance, there are several types of injuries that can cause excruciating physical pain. Some examples of especially painful injuries include broken bones, burns, head injuries, and spinal cord damage. If you sustained such an injury, then you may be able to pursue payment for the pain you experienced.
In addition to producing immense pain, some pedestrian accident injuries also cause victims to undergo intense emotional distress. As an example, someone who sustains a brain injury may have difficulty participating in meaningful relations with friends and family. Fortunately, when bringing a claim against an identified, at-fault driver, you may also be awarded damages for the emotional suffering you incurred.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
There are also many out-of-pocket expenses that may be compensated in your pedestrian accident lawsuit. For example, you may have to pay for help with transportation to your medical appointments after suffering a pedestrian accident. Further, if you are a parent, then you may need to pay for assistance with child care. Thankfully, these expenses may be included in your claim against the identified driver who caused your crash.
Damages for such expenses are usually established using receipts. Therefore, you should try to save the receipts for any costs you incur because of your pedestrian accident injuries.
Property Damage
Finally, you may obtain payment for the cost of repairing or replacing any personal property that was damaged because of your accident. It may be beneficial to take photos of your damaged property in the immediate aftermath of your collision if you can.
After Suffering a Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Pennsylvania, Contact Our Law Firm for Help
Get help from our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at the Reiff Law Firm by dialing (215) 709-6940.
