Hit and Run Accidents in Reading, PA: How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You

Being struck by a driver who speeds away is one of the most disorienting experiences a crash victim can face. You’re left injured, shaken, and without the basic information you need to file a claim, such as who hit you and whether they had insurance. Hit and run crashes happen throughout Berks County and Reading’s city streets every year, and the legal path forward is different from an ordinary car accident case.

The good news is that Pennsylvania law provides a real safety net for hit-and-run victims. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your own insurance policy can step in when the at-fault driver cannot be found or has no insurance. Understanding exactly how that protection works—and what your insurer will try to avoid paying—is essential for anyone hurt on Reading’s roads.

If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Reading or anywhere in Berks County, please get in touch with our car accident lawyers in Reading, PA. Munley Law offers free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win.

Hit and Run Crashes in Reading and Berks County: Why They Are More Common Than You Think

Berks County recorded 42 traffic fatalities in 2023, an increase over the prior year, according to data compiled by the Reading Eagle from local police and coroner reports. Hit and run crashes are a significant part of the broader crash picture statewide and nationally. According to the NHTSA’s 2023 Overview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes, there were 2,872 fatalities nationally in crashes involving hit and run drivers in 2023, and nearly 1 in 4 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were struck by a driver who fled the scene. Locally, Reading’s combination of high-density urban streets, busy arterials like Route 61 and Route 422, and the presence of uninsured and unlicensed drivers creates conditions where hit and runs are an ongoing public safety concern.

Drivers flee the scene of a crash for several reasons, including:

• No valid license or registration, making them unwilling to interact with the police
• Driving without insurance, which is illegal under Pennsylvania’s Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law
• Impairment from alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash
• Outstanding warrants or immigration concerns that make any police contact high-risk

How Pennsylvania’s Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works in Reading Hit and Run Cases

Pennsylvania requires every auto insurer to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1731. Purchasing this coverage is optional—but if you did not sign a valid written rejection form when you took out your policy, Pennsylvania law presumes that you have it. UM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver either has no insurance or, in a hit and run, cannot be identified at all. It pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits, just as the at-fault driver’s liability insurance would have if they had stayed at the scene.

Pennsylvania also permits “stacking” of UM and UIM coverage under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1738. If you insure multiple vehicles under the same policy, stacking multiplies your coverage limits by the number of vehicles. For example, $50,000 in UM coverage on a two-vehicle policy becomes $100,000 in stacked coverage. Many policyholders waive stacking to reduce their premiums without realizing how significantly it can limit their recovery after a serious crash.

One important limitation: many Pennsylvania policies require “corroborating evidence” to make a hit and run UM claim. This typically means either physical contact with the fleeing vehicle or a witness who can confirm the crash—not just your word alone. A Reading car accident attorney can help ensure your claim is documented in a way that satisfies your insurer’s requirements and protects your right to full compensation.

Common Questions About Hit and Run Accidents and UM Coverage in Reading, PA

What should I do immediately after a hit and run crash in Reading?

Take these steps after being in a hit and run crash:

• Call 911 immediately and request both police and medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor
• Note as much detail as possible about the fleeing vehicle: make, model, color, partial plate number, and direction of travel
• Photograph the damage, scene, debris, and your injuries, and collect witness contact information before anyone leaves
• Report the crash to your own insurer promptly and contact a Reading car accident attorney before giving any recorded statement

What if the hit and run driver is eventually identified?

If police identify the driver after you’ve already filed a UM claim, your claim may shift from your own insurer to the at-fault driver’s liability coverage—if they have any. If the driver is found but uninsured, your UM coverage remains your primary source of recovery. If the driver is found and insured, you may still pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them directly, subject to Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Does UM coverage apply if I was a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a hit and run driver?

Yes. Pennsylvania’s UM protections follow the insured person, not just the vehicle. If you were struck as a pedestrian or cyclist by a hit and run driver in Reading, your own auto policy’s UM coverage can still apply—and so can a household member’s policy if you are a resident relative. This is among the most overlooked protections in Pennsylvania personal injury law.

What Compensation Can Hit and Run Victims Recover?

UM claims can cover the same categories of damages available in any personal injury case: medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The key constraint is your policy’s UM limits. Pennsylvania’s minimum liability coverage is only $15,000 per person—and if your UM coverage matches that minimum, a serious injury can exhaust your policy long before all your losses are covered.

Insurers handling your UM claim still act as adversaries, looking for reasons to pay less. Common tactics include disputing whether physical contact occurred, arguing injuries pre-dated the crash, or claiming documentation is insufficient. The Reading personal injury attorneys at Munley Law know how to force insurers to honor UM obligations in full and, when necessary, pursue bad faith claims under Pennsylvania law against carriers who unreasonably delay or deny legitimate coverage.

Contact Our Reading, PA Car Accident Lawyers at Munley Law for a Free Consultation

A hit and run crash in Reading can leave you with serious injuries and no clear path to recovery. Pennsylvania’s uninsured motorist laws offer real protection—but only if you know how to use them. The Berks County personal injury attorneys at Munley Law will build a strong UM claim, identify all available coverage, and hold your insurer accountable.

For more information, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly serve clients throughout Reading, Berks County, and the surrounding communities of West Reading, Wyomissing, Shillington, Sinking Spring, and Laureldale. There is no fee unless we win your case.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Reading
606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234