Understanding Hit and Run Injury Claims in Pittsburgh, PA

A hit and run injury claim can be a complicated ordeal for everyone involved, especially the victim. You may be dealing with catastrophic injuries and significant property damage to your vehicle while also trying to seek accountability from the driver responsible. If the police didn’t catch the driver, you may not realize you still have options in the form of uninsured motorist coverage. Understanding hit and run injury claims in Pittsburgh, PA, can be helpful.

One of the most vital elements of your case is hiring the right Pittsburgh hit and run accident attorney to represent your interests. A hit and run accident claim can be difficult to file alone, especially if you don’t know how to navigate the state’s accident laws. When you hire a hit and run accident lawyer from Ainsman Levine, LLC, you bring 30 years of legal experience to your case.

Hit and Run Accidents in Pittsburgh

If you’re in a bad hit and run accident in Pittsburgh, the EMTs may take you to one of several hospitals in the Pittsburgh area, depending on your immediate medical needs. If you’ve suffered severe trauma, you could be taken to UPMC Presbyterian. If you need a burn center, you could end up at UPMC Mercy.

Hit and runs are not rare in Pennsylvania. In fact, throughout the state, there were 56,764 passenger car crashes in 2025 and 173 pedestrian accident fatalities in 2024. It’s important to note that in 2025, fatal crashes in the state were the lowest on record at 979.

If you are the victim of a hit and run accident and the at-fault driver cannot be identified, you may still have options for recovering compensation. If your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, you can generally file a claim for your injuries and other covered losses.

If you do not have applicable insurance coverage, you may qualify for benefits through the Pennsylvania Assigned Claims Plan, provided you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. An attorney can evaluate your options and help you pursue every available source of recovery.

Understanding Hit and Run Injury Claims in Pittsburgh

There are several ways to pursue a hit and run injury claim in Pittsburgh. It’s recommended that you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to assist you in developing your claim and holding the hit and run driver accountable in civil court. There are some immediate steps you can take after a hit and run that you can take to make sure your claim is secure. Here are some of those steps:

• Report the crime. Above all, to secure your accident claim when the time is right, you need to file a police report immediately. This puts the accident on record. Call 911 as soon as you can. When the police arrive, tell them everything you remember about what happened. If you have evidence that proves who hit you, provide that evidence. Don’t accept any blame for the accident when speaking to the cops, as that could hurt your claim.
• Seek medical care. In addition to having an official police report in place, it’s very important that you go see a doctor to officially document your injuries. You should do this even if you don’t feel injured. You could have internal injuries you are unaware of. Your doctor can give you a thorough examination and provide a medical record of anything they find that can link the injuries directly to the crash.
• Document everything. You can never have too much evidence when you are seeking civil damages. Take photos of your injuries and all the damage done to your car. Speak to any witnesses who may have seen the accident or the other car drive away. Get their contact information if they’re willing to provide a statement.
• Contact your insurance company immediately. You need to inform them that you’ve been in an accident, even a hit and run. This opens an accident claim under your uninsured motorist coverage, which you can use to get compensated if the police are unable to find the hit and run driver.

FAQs

What Shouldn’t You Tell Your Insurance Company After a Hit and Run?

There are many things you should never tell your insurance company when you are reporting a hit and run. Don’t lie to them, don’t embellish the facts, and don’t downplay your injuries. Most importantly, never admit blame in any way. If your insurance company hears you apologize for the accident or even partially accept responsibility, they can use that to twist responsibility for the crash back onto you.

What Do You Get for a Hit and Run in Pennsylvania?

If you are successful in your hit and run accident claim, you can secure compensation in the form of multiple kinds of damages, especially if the driver is located by police. You can seek economic damages, such as medical expenses and property damage, non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress, and possibly even punitive damages if the judge deems the driver’s actions as particularly malicious.

How Long Does It Take for a Hit and Run Case to Be Solved?

There is no telling how long it takes for a hit and run case to be solved. Every case is different. It depends entirely on the strength of the evidence, such as surveillance footage of the accident, witness statements, and anything the driver may have left behind at the crash that could be incriminating. Your attorney can give you a possible timeframe once they have reviewed the details of your case.

How Long Do I Have to Report a Hit and Run?

In Pennsylvania, you are legally required to report a hit and run immediately if it involves severe property damage, a serious injury, or a fatality. If law enforcement does not come to investigate the scene, you are required to file a Driver’s Accident Report to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) within five days of the crash. If you don’t report it, your license could be suspended.

Hire a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

The most important thing you can do for your hit and run case is put your case in the hands of a skilled injury lawyer. They can walk you through your options and help you develop your claim. At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we know what kind of assistance you need. Contact us to speak with someone on our team.