Hit and run pedestrian accidents in Pennsylvania are a growing crisis that leaves victims injured, traumatized, and unsure of their legal rights. When a driver hits a pedestrian and flees the scene, the situation becomes significantly more complicated than a typical pedestrian accident. Not only are victims dealing with serious injuries, but they’re also facing the challenge of identifying the responsible driver and securing compensation for their damages.
If you’ve been injured in a hit and run pedestrian accident, it’s essential to understand your rights, your insurance options, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
At Munley Law, our pedestrian accident lawyers have guided countless clients through successful pedestrian accident claims, seeing firsthand how deeply these accidents affect victims and their families. We’ll explain what happens in Pennsylvania after a hit and run, from the criminal penalties drivers face to how you can pursue compensation, even if the driver is never found.
Hit and Run Laws in Pennsylvania
The first step in protecting your rights is knowing your rights. Under Pennsylvania law, any driver involved in an accident that causes injury or death must stop at the scene. This isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement. 
The driver must provide their name, address, insurance information, and vehicle registration information to the injured person and the police. Most importantly, the driver has a legal duty to render reasonable assistance to the injured person.
Leaving the scene of an accident means failing to fulfill any of these obligations. It doesn’t matter if the driver panics, gets scared, or has what they consider a good reason to leave. Once they strike a pedestrian and drive away without stopping and providing information, they’ve committed a hit and run.
Criminal Penalties for Hit and Run Drivers
Pennsylvania takes hit and run accidents seriously. The penalties reflect the severity of the crime. In fact, the punishment for a hit and run accident depends on the outcome of the accident:
- If the accident only caused property damage, leaving the scene is a third-degree misdemeanor. The driver faces fines of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail.
- When someone is injured in a hit and run, the driver can face fines of up to $15,000 and up to seven years in prison.
- If the hit and run results in a fatality, it becomes a second-degree felony. The driver faces mandatory incarceration of at least three years, fines of $2,500 or more, and a permanent felony conviction on their record.
After a hit and run accident in 2012 that led to the death of a 5-year-old, Pennsylvania passed Kevin’s Law to further deter drivers from fleeing. The state also suspends the driver’s license, making it illegal for them to drive even after serving their sentence until they complete the full suspension period.
These criminal penalties exist separately from any civil lawsuit you might file. Even if the driver faces criminal charges, you still have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
“For more than three generations, our family has been fighting for justice. It’s more than a career choice—it’s written into our DNA.”
Robert W. Munley, III
Call us at (844) 686-5397 Immediate Steps After a Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident
The moments after a hit and run accident are both overwhelming and hugely important. The actions you take immediately after the accident can impact your health and your ability to recover compensation.
Here’s what you need to do in the moments following the accident:
- Call 911 immediately. You need both police and medical assistance at the scene. Even if you think your injuries are minor, call anyway. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away, and you need a police report documenting the incident.
- Document everything you can about the vehicle that hit you. What color was it? What type of vehicle? Did you catch any part of the license plate number, even just one or two digits or letters? Which direction did it go? What time did this happen, and where exactly were you? Write this information down immediately or tell someone who can write it down for you. Memory fades quickly, especially after trauma.
- Look around for witnesses. Get their names and phone numbers. Witnesses can provide information about the vehicle and driver that you might have missed.
- Check for surveillance cameras in the area. Many businesses have security cameras that face the street. Traffic cameras, ATM cameras, and residential doorbell cameras might have captured the incident. Make a note of their locations so your attorney can request the footage before it gets deleted.
- Take photos. If you’re physically able, take photos of the scene, your injuries, any debris left behind, and the surrounding area. These photos can help investigators piece together what happened.
- Avoid discussing the case. Do not make any recorded statements to the insurance company or post any photos on social media before consulting a Pennsylvania hit and run pedestrian accident lawyer. Even seemingly harmless posts or comments can be used against you and may affect your ability to recover full compensation.
What are Your Insurance Options When the Driver Can’t Be Found?
One of the biggest concerns after a hit and run is simple: how will you pay your medical bills if the driver is never found? Fortunately, Pennsylvania law provides several insurance options that can help, even when the at-fault driver has disappeared.
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage is your primary protection in hit and run cases. This coverage is specifically designed to protect you when you’re injured by a driver who either has no insurance or can’t be identified. In hit and run situations, the fleeing driver is treated exactly like an uninsured driver for insurance purposes.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is another option. Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry at least $5,000 in PIP coverage (also called “first-party benefits”). This coverage pays your immediate medical expenses regardless of who was at fault. PIP kicks in first, before your health insurance and before any claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
How Munley PA Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Investigate Hit and Run Cases
Finding a hit and run driver requires quick action and thorough investigation. While police handle the criminal investigation, your personal injury attorney conducts a parallel investigation focused on identifying the driver and preserving evidence for your accident claim.
Here is how a Munley Law personal injury attorney will handle your case:
- Our legal team works closely with police investigators. We will immediately start identifying and contacting businesses, homeowners, and the city to preserve any video evidence of the accident before it’s deleted.
- Our team canvases the accident area for witnesses and takes formal statements.
- Munley Law has an extensive network of accident reconstruction experts. We will work with them to analyze evidence from the accident, such as debris, skid marks, and damage patterns, to narrow down the vehicle make and model.
- Our pedestrian accident lawyers have access to the most modern investigative techniques, including analyzing traffic camera data, checking vehicle registration databases, and conducting social media investigations.
Public appeals through the media can also generate tips from people who might have seen something or know who was involved. The goal is simple: find the driver so you can hold them accountable and recover full compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident Attorney
In hit and run cases, every moment counts. Evidence vanishes, memories fade, and surveillance footage is automatically deleted within days. Meanwhile, your medical bills keep piling up regardless of whether you’ve secured compensation. The sooner you begin your claim, the better your chances of achieving both justice and financial recovery.
At Munley Law, our hit and run pedestrian accident lawyers have nearly seven decades of experience investigating hit and run cases throughout Pennsylvania. We know how to preserve evidence, work with law enforcement, and pursue every available avenue for compensation. Our team has recovered millions of dollars for pedestrian accident victims, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and start investigating immediately. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. You have only two years to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit, so the clock is ticking. Call for a free consultation.
Robert W. Munley, III
Robert W. Munley, III is a seasoned personal injury attorney and award-winning courtroom advocate. While he regularly handles a range of personal injury cases, his focus is on truck accidents and workers’ compensation cases. Bob has served thousands of accident victims and workers, winning them millions with his bold advocacy.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on March 13, 2026.
