Billions Recovered Since 1969 | Serving Philadelphia for Over 50 Years | No Fee Unless You Win
The driver who ran into you fled the scene. You are left injured with a ruined vehicle and no idea who did this to you. Who will pay your medical bills and compensate you for all the work you missed?
Hit and run crashes like this happen across Philadelphia with alarming frequency, and the hardest part for victims is not knowing where to turn when the person responsible vanishes.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania law provides paths to compensation when you've been injured in a hit and run crash. Our Philadelphia hit-and-run accident lawyers at the Rothenberg Law Firm can help you understand what to do if the at-fault driver is never identified.
Contact us at (800) 624-8888 or through our online contact form for a free consultation.
Visit our Philadelphia office: 1420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 330-6551
Your rights matter, and we are here to fight for them
Who Pays for Your Injuries When the Other Driver Flees the Scene in Philadelphia?
The biggest question after a hit and run is who pays when the driver who caused the crash cannot be found. In Pennsylvania, your own auto insurance policy is usually the first answer.
Pennsylvania treats hit and run accidents the same as crashes caused by uninsured drivers. That means your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, even if the at-fault driver is never identified. UM coverage is a first-party claim, which means you file it through your own insurer.
If the hit and run driver is later identified and does have insurance, your attorney can pursue a third-party claim directly against that driver's liability policy. When the driver has insurance but not enough to cover your losses, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may help close the gap.
Your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits also apply immediately. PIP covers your initial medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. Pennsylvania requires a minimum of $5,000 in Medical Benefits coverage on every auto policy on every auto policy, though many drivers carry higher limits.
Your car accident attorney reviews every policy in your household, including stacking options, to identify the full range of available coverage.
Why Do You Need a Philadelphia Hit and Run Accident Lawyer?
Hit and run claims are more complex than standard car accident cases. You are filing against your own insurance company, which has a financial incentive to pay you as little as possible. Without a lawyer, you are negotiating alone against a team of adjusters and attorneys whose job is to minimize your payout.
The numbers back this up. Research published by Forbes based on a comprehensive Martindale-Nolo study found that 91% of injury victims who worked with a lawyer received a settlement or award, compared to only 51% of those who tried to handle the claim themselves. Even after attorney fees, represented claimants still took home nearly three times as much money as those who went without legal help.
In a hit and run case, the gap is likely even wider. Your lawyer handles the evidence preservation, the policy review, the UM claim filing, and the negotiation or arbitration that follows. Insurers know that unrepresented claimants are more likely to accept a low offer or miss filing deadlines, and they use that to their advantage.
Our Philadelphia hit and run lawyers take on that fight for you so you can put your time and energy into recovering.
Why Choose the Rothenberg Law Firm for Your Philadelphia Hit and Run Accident Claim?
Allen L. Rothenberg, Esq., opened the doors of the Rothenberg Law Firm in Philadelphia in 1969. His wife, Barbara Rothenberg, Esq., joined him in 1978 and now leads the firm's Philadelphia office. Together, they raised a family of lawyers: seven of their children practice law today, all carrying forward the same belief that every injured client deserves to be treated like one of their own.
Over five decades, Allen and his legal team have recovered billions for clients, including a record-breaking judgment exceeding two billion dollars. Our case results reflect that commitment across every case we take on.
Billions Recovered for Auto Accident Victims
We bring decades of preparation and fight to every hit and run claim. Representative auto-related results include:
- $18 million for a traumatic brain injury caused by an auto defect
- $1.5 million for a driver injured in a rear-end collision
- $1.4 million for multiple surgeries following a crash
- $1.25 million for a spinal injury suffered in a car accident
- $1.21 million for a neck injury sustained in a car accident
- $1.08 million for leg and arm fractures in an automobile accident
These results do not guarantee outcomes, but they reflect the level of fight we bring to every case.
Prepared to Go to Trial or Arbitration
Most UM claims involve mandatory arbitration, and the outcome depends on how well your case is prepared. Insurance companies settle for more when they know your lawyer has tried cases in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and before arbitration panels across Philadelphia County. Our attorneys have that track record.
A Team That Cares About More Than Your Case
A hit and run can leave you feeling powerless. Our team helps clients connect with medical professionals, therapists, and other support while the legal process moves forward. We respond to the whole person, not just the claim.
Nationally Recognized for Excellence
Our work has earned recognition from organizations, including:
- Super Lawyers Selected Attorneys
- Best Lawyers Recognized Attorneys
- AV Preeminent Attorney Rating (Martindale-Hubbell)
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- National Trial Lawyers Recognition
- Top 1% of U.S. Lawyers (Litigator Awards)
- Client Champion Awards and Avvo Client's Choice Award
No Fee Unless We Recover for You
You pay nothing up front and nothing out of pocket. Our contingency fee arrangement means we only collect a fee if we win your case.
Have questions about your hit and run accident claim? Contact us at (800) 624-8888 or through our online contact form for a free consultation.
Visit our Philadelphia office: 1420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 330-6551
How Does Pennsylvania's Choice No-Fault Insurance System Affect a Hit and Run Claim?
Pennsylvania uses a "choice no-fault" system that affects what types of compensation you can pursue after a hit and run. When you purchase auto insurance, you choose between two options: limited tort and full tort.
| Feature | Limited Tort | Full Tort |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bills and lost wages | Covered through PIP and UM | Covered through PIP and UM |
| Pain and suffering | Restricted unless you meet the "serious injury" threshold | Available for all qualifying injuries |
| Monthly premium | Lower | Higher |
Here is the critical detail for hit and run victims: when the at-fault driver fled the scene and cannot be identified, limited tort restrictions may not apply.
Pennsylvania law recognizes hit and run drivers as uninsured, and claims involving uninsured drivers are one of the exceptions that can lift the limited tort barrier. Your attorney evaluates which exception applies to your specific situation.
This distinction matters because pain and suffering often represent the largest portion of a hit and run accident claim, especially in cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or other life-altering injuries.
What Types of Hit and Run Accidents Happen on Philadelphia Streets?
Hit and run crashes in Philadelphia take many forms, and each one creates different injuries and different legal challenges. According to ABC 6 Philadelphia, one out of every four auto collisions in the Greater Philadelphia Area is a hit and run.
In one recent year, 43 of Philadelphia's 126 traffic fatalities - more than one-third - involved a driver who fled the scene, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
Rear-End and Sideswipe Collisions
A distracted or impaired driver strikes your vehicle from behind or clips your side along I-95, the Schuylkill Expressway, or Broad Street, then merges away into traffic before you can get a plate number.
T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
A driver runs a red light or stop sign and slams into the side of your vehicle at a busy Philadelphia intersection, then speeds off. Intersections along Roosevelt Boulevard and in Center City see some of the highest crash rates in the city.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Hit and Runs
Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable. A driver strikes someone crossing near Temple University, walking through South Philadelphia, or riding along the Schuylkill River Trail and leaves before anyone can identify them.
Motorcycle Hit and Runs
Motorcycle riders hit by a fleeing driver face some of the most serious injuries, including road rash, broken bones, and head trauma, because they have no vehicle frame for protection.
Each of these accident types requires a different approach to gathering evidence, and our hit and run accident attorneys in Philadelphia tailor the strategy to the facts of your specific crash.
Ask the Rothenberg Law Firm About Hit and Run Accidents in Philadelphia
Q: Can I still recover compensation if the hit and run driver is never found?
A: Yes, you may still recover compensation through the uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy. Pennsylvania treats hit and run accidents the same as crashes involving uninsured drivers. Your lawyer files the UM claim with your own insurer and fights for full compensation on your behalf.
Q: What if I did not get the license plate of the driver who hit me?
A: You can still pursue a claim even without a plate number. Your attorney works with police, pulls traffic and surveillance camera footage, and uses physical evidence from the scene to build your case. A UM claim does not require you to identify the other driver.
Q: How long do I have to file a hit and run accident claim in Philadelphia?
A: Pennsylvania's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, critical evidence like camera footage is often overwritten within days, so reaching out to a lawyer quickly protects your claim.
Q: Does my car insurance go up if I file a UM claim after a hit and run?
A: Generally, your rates should not increase for a UM claim because you were not the at-fault driver. You are using coverage you already paid for. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department oversees how insurers set rates, though individual company practices may vary.
What Kind of Evidence Do Philadelphia Hit and Run Lawyers Gather?
Building a strong hit and run claim requires aggressive, time-sensitive work. Evidence that could identify the driver or prove the severity of the crash can disappear within days.
Our lawyers in Philadelphia use multiple sources to build your case:
- Traffic and red-light cameras: Philadelphia operates an extensive network of traffic cameras, particularly along Roosevelt Boulevard, Broad Street, and major intersections in Northeast Philadelphia and Center City
- Business surveillance footage: Cameras outside stores, gas stations, and restaurants near the crash scene often capture vehicle descriptions and license plates
- Witness statements: Other drivers, pedestrians, and nearby residents who saw the crash or the vehicle leaving the scene
- Vehicle forensics: Paint transfer, glass fragments, and debris left at the scene can help identify the make, model, and color of the fleeing vehicle
- Accident reconstruction: Skid marks, impact patterns, and road conditions help recreate how the crash happened
- Coordination with the Philadelphia Police Department: Our attorneys work alongside law enforcement, sharing evidence and following up on leads to help identify the driver
Even when the driver is never found, this evidence strengthens your UM claim by documenting what happened and connecting the crash to your injuries. Early legal action is critical because surveillance footage is quickly and routinely overwritten, and physical evidence at the scene degrades rapidly.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Hit and Run Accident in Philadelphia?
A hit and run accident claim in Pennsylvania can cover both the measurable financial losses and the personal harm that is harder to quantify. The type and severity of your injuries directly affect how much your claim is worth.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Emergency room and hospital bills | Physical pain and ongoing discomfort |
| Surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy | Emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD |
| Lost wages and missed work | Loss of enjoyment of daily activities |
| Future medical treatment and long-term care | Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability |
| Prescription costs | Strain on family and personal relationships |
| Vehicle repair or replacement | Mental anguish related to the crash |
Hit and run crashes frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and severe soft-tissue damage. When the victim is a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist, the injuries tend to be even more severe because there is little or no protection from the impact.
Pennsylvania does not cap economic or non-economic damages in hit and run cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accident Claims in Philadelphia
Can a hit and run driver face criminal charges and a civil lawsuit at the same time?
Yes, criminal charges and your civil claim are separate legal actions. The criminal case focuses on penalties like jail time and fines. Your civil claim focuses on recovering compensation for your injuries. One does not depend on the other, and your lawyer handles the civil side independently.
What injuries are most common in Philadelphia hit and run accidents?
Hit and run crashes frequently cause whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, and severe road rash. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists tend to suffer the most serious injuries because they have little or no protection from the impact of a vehicle.
Can I file a wrongful death claim if a family member was killed in a hit and run?
Yes, Pennsylvania law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death action after a fatal hit and run accident. These claims cover funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional loss of a loved one. A separate survival action may also apply.
What if my insurance company denies my UM claim after a hit and run?
If your insurer denies or undervalues your UM claim without a reasonable basis, you may have a bad faith claim. Pennsylvania law allows additional compensation in bad faith cases, including attorney fees, penalty interest, and punitive damages. Our personal injury attorneys have experience holding insurers accountable when they act unfairly.
Call for a Free Consultation With a Philadelphia Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
The driver who caused your crash may be gone, but your right to compensation is not. Our lawyers at the Rothenberg Law Firm have spent over 50 years in Philadelphia recovering billions for injured clients. We know how to find every source of coverage and fight for a result that reflects what you have been through.
Contact us at (800) 624-8888 or through our contact form for a free consultation. We charge no fee unless we win.
Visit our Philadelphia office: 1420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 330-6551