When you or your loved one are injured in a car or pedestrian accident, the last thing you should worry about is whether the liable driver remains at the scene. Hit and run accidents are unfortunately too common in Bethlehem, and fleeing the scene can amount to a felony hit and run.
Bethlehem is filled with cultural and artistic attractions, including SteelStacks, the National Museum of Industrial History, and the Lehigh & Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum. Combined with the major highways that surround the Lehigh Valley and the busy roads that cut through, the influx of drivers makes hit and run accidents more likely than ever.
Whether you are driving downtown, parked to visit an attraction, or are a pedestrian, navigating a hit and run accident is challenging.
Munley Law’s Bethlehem hit and run accident lawyers are ready to take on your case. With more than 60 years of experience and service to the citizens of Pennsylvania, our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to look out for your best interests and recover the compensation you deserve after a hit and run accident in Bethlehem.
Schedule your free consultation today online.
Hit and Run Accidents in Bethlehem
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported 4,186 crashes in 2020 throughout Lehigh County. Though only a portion of these accidents are hit and runs, hit and run accidents can be frustrating to navigate and vary in severity.
A 2018 analysis published by the AAA Foundation found that hit and run accidents are on the rise, with an average of 682,000 accidents occurring nationwide every year.
With a thriving cultural scene, Bethlehem’s residents and visitors must deal with increased congestion and the potential of distracted drivers. Munley Law’s hit and run accident attorneys have the experience you need when dealing with a hit and run accident claim.
Why Do I Need a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer?
You may think that, after a hit and run accident, you should just file a claim with your insurance company and accept whatever they offer. However, it is always in your best interest to speak with an experienced hit and run accident lawyer before making any final decision.
Munley Law’s Bethlehem car accident attorneys offer a free case evaluation to discuss next steps with you.
Our lawyers will conduct an independent investigation into your case, speak with authorities on your behalf, and negotiate with the appropriate insurance companies to ensure you are fairly compensated.
Recovering from your hit and run accident injuries should be your main priority. You can trust Munley Law’s hit and run accident lawyers to pursue justice for you.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident 
If you were involved in a hit and run accident, you should immediately call emergency services to treat and evaluate your injuries. If you are able to, you may also collect eyewitness accounts and contact information, take photos, and note any physical evidence.
As soon as possible after medical treatment, you’ll want to consult with a Munley Law Bethlehem hit and run accident attorney, who will obtain a police report and conduct further investigation into your claim. If the liable driver is able to be identified, we will help you pursue compensation, if available.
Even if the liable driver is not found, you can still be compensated through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Our lawyers will work with your insurance company to calculate the value of your claim and ensure that you receive a fair offer.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. This means you and your legal team have two years to investigate your case, chase down leads, and accurately understand the value of your injuries and damages.
Claiming Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
Your first step following a hit and run accident in Bethlehem will be to file a claim with your own insurance company. Even though you are not liable, and even if the driver is identified at a later date, your insurance policy is the first step in claiming compensation because of Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance system. The amount of coverage your policy carries will determine how much compensation you are able to collect for the accident.
If authorities are able to identify the person who hit you, you may be able to claim compensation from his or her insurance company if your damages exceed your coverage.
Your best course of action is a consultation with an experienced Bethlehem hit and run accident lawyer. Munley Law’s attorneys have served Bethlehem’s citizens for over 60 years and are ready to help you begin your claim. Schedule a free case evaluation online or by calling 844-263-8849.
What is Pennsylvania’s Negligence Standard?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault standard when it comes to negligence and compensation. The percent of compensation you are able to claim is determined by the percent of fault you carry. If you are found to be 10 percent responsible for a hit and run accident, you would be able to claim 90 percent of the total value of your case. Any party that is 51 percent or more at fault for an accident is barred from recovering any compensation.
The Bethlehem hit and run accident lawyers at Munley Law will investigate your case and use the facts and evidence to keep you from being assigned undue responsibility.
Hit and Run Injuries and Damages
Every hit and run accident is different. Injuries and damages vary in severity based on the facts and nature of the accident.
The injuries you might suffer from any kind of hit and run accident can range from surface injuries such as scrapes, cuts, bruises, and minor whiplash, all the way to broken bones, spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries including concussion, and internal injuries. Catastrophic accidents could result in permanent disability, loss of limb, or even wrongful death.
After a Bethlehem hit and run accident, you can claim financial compensation for economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages are direct financial losses, including medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, and property damage.
Noneconomic damages are intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment.
How Much is a Hit and Run Case Worth?
The value of a hit and run claim in Bethlehem depends entirely on the facts of the case. Placing a value on your claim without investigating it first is impossible. However, even minor hit and run accidents can value in the thousands of dollars between property damage and medical expenses.
It is always in your best interest to consult with a Bethlehem hit and run accident attorney from Munley Law after an accident. Our lawyers will conduct an independent investigation to help identify the liable driver and hold him or her responsible for the damages you have suffered. Our legal team will meet with you for a free consultation to review the facts of your case and begin determining the value of your claim.
Munley Law: Your Partners for Justice
At Munley Law, we know that the legal process can be overwhelming. That’s why our Bethlehem hit and run accident lawyers shoulder the responsibility of your claim so that you can focus on recovery.
We have served the citizens of Bethlehem for more than 60 years, providing exceptional legal services that are recognized by the press and peers alike.
The majority of our attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers of America, as well as being members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor earned by only 1 percent of America’s lawyers.
We consistently recover the highest compensation available for our clients. Whether a settlement or a jury verdict, our team will pursue justice for you with determination and compassion until we recover damages in your favor. Our expertise also extends to various cases, including accidents caused by drowsy, inattentive, or impaired drivers.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning we don’t collect any fees until we’ve made a recovery for you. Schedule your free case evaluation today online or by calling 844-263-8849.
