Philadelphia Hit & Run Accident Numbers
Philadelphia can be a great place to live, work, and raise a family, but one aspect of city life has taken a toll on many residents. More and more Philadelphians are finding themselves the victims of hit-and-run drivers.
NBC10-TV investigated the issue locally and found that Philadelphia police get around 40 calls a day from hit-and-run victims. Their research found that officers responded to 28,983 hit-and-run accidents in 2017 and 2018. The police say they’re overwhelmed by the volume of incidents.
Stretches of Roosevelt Boulevard and the intersection of Bustleton and Cottman are some of the worst places for hit-and-runs in the Philadelphia area, but over those two years, incidents were reported at over 26,000 different locations
Options for Victims of Pennsylvania Hit-And-Run Accidents
If you drive in the city and confront Philadelphia traffic, there’s always a chance you could be forced into an accident by a bad driver and even become the victim of a hit-and-run.
As you try to heal you may wonder if you’ll be forced to cover the staggering medical bills yourself. Whether it’s even possible for you to ever pay them off? You may have missed time from work due to your accident and may not even be able to make your rent payment, let alone pay an enormous surgery or doctor bill.
An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through your options as circumstances change and become more complex. The best strategy for your case will depend on a variety of factors, including if the hit-and-run driver is apprehended or if the suspect remains forever on the run.
- If the hit-and-run driver is never found: If you purchased uninsured/underinsured coverage from your insurance company, you should expect to recoup damages from that type of coverage when you need it. This coverage is generally included in all car accident policies unless you expressly deny the coverage in writing. It’s important to remember that you may be dealing with your own agent, but your insurance company will not be your advocate when it comes to figuring out how much compensation is fair. Unfortunately, you may find your insurance company has no intention of offering you what you truly need while healing. A hit-and-run lawyer will work to protect your right to fair compensation.
- If the hit-and-run driver is arrested: If the driver is arrested, you can move forward by filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A claim for damages can demand reimbursement from the driver’s insurance company for all of the medical expenses you’ve built up while the driver was avoiding justice. The driver may also have to defend himself or herself against criminal charges, such as felony charges in a fatal crash, but your claim can proceed even if the criminal trial has not begun.
Why Choose The Hit & Run Lawyers at Pearce Law Firm?
The Pearce Law Firm P.C. has extensive experience working for insurance companies and know the intricacies of insurance law. Edith Pearce, the founder of The Pearce Law Firm P.C., spent more than a decade working as a lawyer for an insurance company and defense firm. She now uses the knowledge she gained there to protect her clients in Philadelphia hit-and-run cases. She knows when insurance companies are making an unfair settlement offer and she understands how to make them take your claim seriously.
When it comes to winning a proper settlement from your own insurance company, we have the training and experience to understand the fine print on insurance policies. We understand what’s required to make sure your insurance company is behaving according to its policy and contract with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation can I expect after a hit-and-run accident in Philadelphia?
A claim for damages can ask for compensation for things like hospital bills and paychecks lost from missed time at work. Any expected bills or lost wages in the future can also factor into an award. You can also receive compensation for the extreme pain you’ve endured. The psychological anguish you may have suffered after a life-changing injury or just a loss of enjoyment of life can also be part of an award.
What kind of documents do I need to collect for an accident case?
The police accident report will be one of the strongest documents to build your case with. You also want to keep track of every medical record on your physical health and every medical bill. W-2s and paystubs can detail how much you’ve lost by missing work because of your accident. Remember that the longer you wait to file a claim, the harder all of these documents will be to collect. An attorney can help you build your case with this important evidence.
Should I trust the insurance company?
You should not trust insurance company representatives when they call you claiming to want to know how you’re doing. Insurance agents and adjusters will often try to get you to make a statement about the details of your accident to use later to poke holes in your case.
They can ask leading questions to get you to misrepresent what happened. It’s best to talk to an attorney from the start who can guide you away from common pitfalls when dealing with insurance companies. A hit-and-run attorney working on your side can also handle all communication with all insurance companies and opposing lawyers for you.
Contact a Philadelphia Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer
In the moments after a tragic accident, a hit-and-run victim can feel completely alone and helpless. A heartless driver has just started you on the difficult path to recovery and decided to leave you to fend for yourself when the hospital bills start to arrive.
The Pearce Law Firm wants to support and defend these victims from day one. She takes a part in every case that her law firm handles and will fight until you receive enough compensation to cover every hardship you’ve suffered and may endure down the road.
You may never find who hit you and left you to suffer alone, but we make sure insurance companies keep their promise and honor their contracts.
If you are injured due to the negligence of others anywhere in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania or New Jersey please contact The Pearce Law Firm, Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers P.C. to schedule your free consultation to ensure you get the compensation you will need to get your life and freedom back.
Read what Jennifer had to say about us plus other reviews on Google:
“If there were 10 Stars, Edith would get them from this client, right here! I can’t even begin to start to tell you how amazing, kind, conscientious, non-scheister-y and, well….how non–lawyer-y, this Attorney is. I was really scared when I got hit by a car and my ankle was broken. Also, I felt super bad about the thought of “suing” someone. I thought that was something that people who were trying to get away something. Thank goodness my boyfriend said “you’ve got to get a lawyer and another good friend–recommended Edith highly. Thank God I didn’t go to one of those awful companies (you know the one on the tv ad) as a friend had an awful, impersonal experience with them. From the start, Edith made me feel comfortable, attended to, and like I was literally–her only priority. She got me into her office immediately, got me to doctors and specialists within days, re-directed all of my medical bills (which were sizeable) to be deferred until my case was settled. After that, she went to work doing her magic”
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
