HIT & RUN LAWYER Columbia
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Top Hit & Run Accident Attorney serving Columbia, Plymouth Meeting, Allentown, Easton & Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Hit and Run Accidents
When involved in a hit and run accident in Columbia, you are required to stop and exchange personal data and insurance information with other accident victims. This process is required of all citizens of Pennsylvania regardless of what automotive you were driving or whether or not you were driving. Perpetrators may leave the scene for a range of reasons, from being uninsured to driving with a suspended license or while under the influence. You always want to stop your vehicle as close to the event as possible, according to PA Title 75.
If you are the cause of the hit and run and the other vehicle owner is not present at the scene, leaving a note on the vehicle that was hit is a great way to show initiative and take responsibility. Otherwise, following the procedure of exchanging information without obstructing traffic more than is necessary and rendering help is a crucial step to take before speaking to the police and contacting a hit and run accident attorney near Columbia. Speaking with a hit and run accident lawyer serving Columbia can ensure you get compensation for property damage and any physical injuries sustained in the accident.
What Evidence is Required for a Hit and Run Accident?
Pennsylvania law requires that the drivers of all vehicles involved in an auto accident stop at or near the site. Leaving the scene can result in hit and run charges brought against any perpetrators. The drivers involved in the accident are required to furnish specific documentation to the others involved including:
- Name and current address
- Proof of automobile insurance
- Vehicle registration information
- A valid driver’s license
If there are individuals injured in the accident, the liable driver is also responsible for rendering assistance and ensuring they are transported to a medical facility if treatment is needed. In the scene of a hit and run accident, it may be hectic in the moment to try and decide what to do first, but you always want to stay calm and get help if you or the passenger(s) in your car are injured. Do not flee the scene and call the police and make a report. Accidents can be foggy and cause you to be anxious. but it is important that you are as detailed as possible and have as much evidence as possible, whether you or the other drive was at fault. Make sure you take photos of the scene and contact your insurance agent after calling the police. If there is a witness in the scene of the accident, find a safe way to get in contact with them regarding the hit and run. Remember to contact a personal injury attorney near Columbia if you need legal help recovering accidental losses caused by the other driver. Your hit and run crash must be reported within 5 days of your accident so that the police may investigate the scene and property damaged due to the accident.
Leaving the Scene of a Hit and Run in Columbia
Fleeing the site of an auto collision constitutes a hit and run. In Pennsylvania, failure to stop may result in driver’s license suspension and misdemeanor charges; fines and jail time may occur. In the event someone is seriously injured, hit and run drivers may face felony charges. In fact Pennsylvania currently has a total of 125,267 reportable traffic crashes and according to the AAA foundation traffic safety, there has been an average of 682,000 hit and run crashes out of which includes an estimate of 6 out of 10 pedestrians severely injured.
The penalty for hit and run may result in a minimum fine of $2,500 if there was a death or severe injuries involved. Such an accident can result in prison time of up to 7 years. A hit and run in the state of Pennsylvania is not taken lightly. In fact there are gross repercussions, including possibility of license privileges taken away and penalties of up $2,500. There are other hit and run charges and penalties in the state of Pennsylvania, but our accident lawyers serving Columbia are here to help you every step of the way for victims of hit and run accidents.
Consulting with a Professional Injury Lawyer
If you are the victim of a hit and run, your injuries may cause more than damage to your car. Personal injuries can be severe. You could lose your job, be unable to pay your medical expenses or be rendered permanently disabled. At the Gregg Durlofsky Law Offices, we know that an auto accident, such as a motorcycle, truck, or bus, can disrupt and irrevocably change your life. Call us to schedule a consultation with our hit and run accident lawyer serving Columbia. We have been helping our clients with personal injury claims for more than 20 years.