Leaving the scene of a car accident can transform an innocent victim into a criminal defendant, regardless of who caused the collision. Pennsylvania law requires all drivers involved in accidents to remain at the scene and fulfill specific duties, and failing to do so can result in serious criminal charges, license suspension, and civil liability even when you bear no responsibility for the crash itself.
We have defended clients facing hit-and-run charges for over 65 years, including situations where panic, confusion, or medical emergencies led good people to make poor decisions in the aftermath of accidents. At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, we understand the complex legal consequences of leaving accident scenes and work to protect your rights while minimizing the impact on your future.
Pennsylvania’s Legal Requirements After Car Accidents
Pennsylvania law mandates that all drivers involved in accidents must stop immediately at the scene or as close as possible without obstructing traffic. You must provide your name, address, and vehicle registration information to other parties and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the crash.
The duty to remain at the scene applies regardless of fault determination. Even if another driver clearly caused the accident through reckless or negligent behavior, you cannot simply leave because you were not responsible. The law recognizes that accident scenes require immediate attention for safety, evidence preservation, and proper reporting to authorities.
Failure to stop and provide required information constitutes a hit-and-run offense under Pennsylvania law. The severity of charges depends on whether the accident caused property damage only or resulted in injuries or deaths. Property damage cases typically result in summary offenses, while injury accidents can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges.
Pennsylvania also requires drivers to report accidents to police when they result in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Many accidents meet this threshold, making police notification mandatory regardless of fault. Leaving before authorities arrive can complicate both criminal and civil proceedings significantly.
Criminal Penalties for Leaving Accident Scenes
Hit-and-run charges carry serious criminal penalties that can impact your employment, insurance rates, and driving privileges. Summary offenses for property damage accidents may result in fines and points on your license, while felony charges for injury accidents can lead to substantial prison time and permanent criminal records.
Pennsylvania courts consider leaving accident scenes as evidence of consciousness of guilt, even when you were not at fault for the underlying collision. Prosecutors may argue your departure demonstrates awareness of wrongdoing, making it more difficult to defend against both criminal charges and civil liability claims.
How Leaving Affects Your Civil Rights and Insurance Claims
Departing an accident scene can severely damage your ability to recover compensation for injuries and property damage, even when another driver caused the collision. Insurance companies often use hit-and-run behavior to deny claims or reduce settlements, arguing that your conduct contributed to the incident or demonstrates dishonesty.
Your own insurance company may deny coverage for property damage and injuries when you violate policy requirements to report accidents promptly and cooperate with investigations. Many policies contain specific provisions excluding coverage for incidents involving criminal conduct, including hit-and-run offenses.
Leaving the scene also eliminates opportunities to gather crucial evidence supporting your innocence regarding the underlying accident. Witness statements, police reports, and physical evidence documentation all require immediate attention at accident scenes. Your departure may allow the at-fault driver to control the narrative and shift blame onto you.
Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence law allows courts to reduce damage awards based on your percentage of fault for an incident. Hit-and-run conduct can be considered separate negligent behavior that increases your fault percentage, even when you did not cause the original collision. This legal principle can dramatically reduce the compensation you might otherwise receive.
Insurance and License Consequences
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation can suspend your driver’s license for hit-and-run convictions, regardless of your role in causing the underlying accident. License suspensions can last several months or longer, depending on the severity of charges and your driving history.
Insurance companies typically cancel policies or dramatically increase premiums following hit-and-run convictions. The combination of criminal charges and license suspension creates a pattern of high-risk behavior that makes you expensive to insure, regardless of your actual driving skills or safety record.
Legal Defenses and Options After Leaving an Accident Scene
Pennsylvania law recognizes several legitimate defenses to hit-and-run charges, even when you admittedly left the accident scene. Medical emergencies, threats to personal safety, and lack of knowledge about the accident can provide valid legal defenses when properly presented.
Immediate legal intervention can often minimize consequences through plea negotiations, alternative sentencing options, or participation in accelerated rehabilitation programs. Early action demonstrates responsibility and may persuade prosecutors to reduce charges or recommend lenient sentences.
Complex legal strategies may be necessary when hit-and-run charges accompany other serious offenses or when civil lawsuits seek substantial damages. We coordinate criminal defense with civil protection strategies to ensure your actions in one proceeding do not harm your position in another.
Pennsylvania’s legal system offers various options for resolving hit-and-run cases depending on the specific circumstances and your criminal history. These approaches require careful analysis of all relevant factors to determine the best strategy for your situation:
- Negotiating reduced charges through plea agreements with favorable terms
- Pursuing dismissal based on insufficient evidence or constitutional violations
- Demonstrating legitimate reasons for leaving the scene through witness testimony
- Utilizing first-offender programs to avoid permanent criminal convictions
- Coordinating criminal resolution with civil settlement negotiations to minimize overall exposure
These strategies require immediate attention and skilled advocacy to achieve optimal outcomes in both criminal and civil proceedings.
Contact Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford for Comprehensive Legal Protection
Hit-and-run charges require immediate legal attention to protect your rights and minimize long-term consequences. Our legal team has earned recognition as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2010, and we are the largest criminal defense firm in Montgomery and Bucks counties. We understand the intersection of criminal law and civil liability, providing comprehensive representation that addresses all aspects of your legal exposure.
We offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options following hit-and-run charges. Our criminal defense attorneys work closely with our personal injury team to ensure your interests are protected in all proceedings. Contact us today at (215) 822-7575 or through our contact form to discuss how we can help you navigate this challenging situation and protect your future.

Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
July 28, 2025