One moment, you are driving through an intersection, and the next, your car is spinning from an impact, and the responsible driver is nowhere to be seen. Hit-and-run accidents are among the most disorienting experiences a Pennsylvania driver can face, not only because of the physical and emotional toll, but because the person who caused the harm has vanished, leaving you to piece together what happened on your own. How you respond in those first minutes and hours can make or break your ability to recover compensation.
At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., our personal injury attorneys have guided countless accident victims through the challenges that follow a hit-and-run collision. With over 65 years of combined legal experience and offices in Colmar and Newtown, Pennsylvania, we understand the specific steps that matter most when building a strong case. The guidance below is designed to help you protect yourself from the moment the crash happens.
Stay at the Scene and Call 911 Immediately
The single most important thing you can do after a hit-and-run is stay put and call for help. Pennsylvania law requires drivers involved in accidents to remain at the scene. Even if you feel fine, contact 911 right away and report what happened. Police will document the incident in an official report, which becomes one of the most critical pieces of evidence in your case.
When officers arrive, give them as much detail as possible. Describe the fleeing vehicle, including its color, make, model, approximate year, direction of travel, and any portion of the license plate you may have seen. Even a partial plate number can help investigators identify the driver. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run crashes account for roughly 11% of all police-reported crashes in the United States, making thorough scene documentation all the more important.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
While you wait for police and emergency services, document everything around you, provided it is safe to do so.
Use your phone to photograph all of the following:
- Your vehicle: Capture the damage from multiple angles, including close-up shots of impact points and any paint transfers or debris left behind.
- The road: Photograph skid marks, debris fields, glass, and any physical evidence of where the collision occurred.
- Your injuries: Take photos of visible injuries, including cuts, bruising, abrasions, and torn clothing.
- Surveillance cameras: Note the locations of any nearby traffic cameras, business cameras, or residential security systems that may have captured the crash.
After photographing the scene, collect contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened. Witness accounts can be powerful corroborating evidence, especially when the at-fault driver has fled.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you feel no immediate pain, get a medical evaluation the same day. Adrenaline can mask symptoms, and injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injuries may not become apparent until hours or days later. A prompt medical evaluation creates an official record that directly links your injuries to the accident.
Follow through with all recommended treatments, specialist visits, and follow-up appointments. Every record, bill, and physician note adds to the documentation that supports your claim. If you suffered a whiplash injury, for example, proper medical documentation is what connects that diagnosis to the specific collision.
Keep a Personal Record of Everything
Beyond the official police report and medical records, maintain your own written log of what happened and how your injuries have affected your life. Note your pain levels, sleep disruption, missed work, canceled plans, and any emotional distress you experience. This type of personal account helps illustrate the full impact the accident has had on your daily life, something that does not always appear in clinical records alone.
Save every receipt connected to the accident, including medical copays, prescription costs, rideshare fees, and vehicle repair estimates. These out-of-pocket expenses become part of your damages claim. If the at-fault driver is never found, Pennsylvania’s uninsured motorist coverage may be available to help compensate your losses, and documentation of all expenses will be essential. Our uninsured accident lawyers are familiar with these claims and can walk you through your coverage options.
Understand Your Legal Options in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law gives hit-and-run victims a path to compensation even when the at-fault driver is not identified. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to file a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage or through a similar vehicle provision. However, there are deadlines and procedural rules that apply, and missteps early in the process can affect your ability to recover damages. For instance, most automobile insurance policies will not provide uninsured motorist coverage if a police report was not filed at the scene of the accident.
If the fleeing driver is later identified, you may have a direct personal injury claim for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Pennsylvania also allows for wrongful death claims if a family member did not survive. In these cases, working with a wrongful death attorney who understands the full scope of damages available under Pennsylvania law is critical.
Hit-and-Run Victim in Pennsylvania? Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. Can Help
A hit-and-run accident can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm that has been named a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2010. Our dedicated attorneys understand how to build hit-and-run cases from the ground up, using physical evidence, witness statements, surveillance footage, and insurance documentation to pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
If you or a family member has been hurt in a hit-and-run accident anywhere in southeastern Pennsylvania, do not wait to get legal help. Time-sensitive evidence disappears quickly, and deadlines under Pennsylvania law are firm. Reach out to our team today by contacting us online to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
June 10, 2026
