A man went out to get his cell phone from his car and was hit by a passing motorist and drug 100 yards. The driver of the car fled leaving the victim to be discovered by someone out for their morning walk. According to police, when EMT responded to the scene, the man was already dead.
The accident happened Saturday morning, January 26 around 6 am. Police are still looking for the driver of the car that hit the victim and as anyone that has any information to call them at (215) 686-TIPS (8477).
Pedestrians Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-Run pedestrian accidents are especially dangerous. First because a pedestrian is unprotected against a car that has 20 times the mass than the average person. Second, being hit by someone who leaves the scene put the victim at risk for more serious injury as help is often delayed.
Typically, in an accident involving a pedestrian, the at-fault driver is there to render immediate aid and contact authorities. But when the driver leaves the scene, if the injured can’t move or is unconscious, then it may be a while until aid arrives.
In these situations, any delay might be fatal or result in more serious injuries. Victims of hit-and-run accident feel they are twice victimized, first by the accident and second by the driver fleeing the scene.
What to do if You Were a Pedestrian in a Hit-and-Run
If you find yourself in a pedestrian hit-and-run, the first thing to go is to stay calm. Then follow these steps—if able—to increase your safety.
- Get to safe position to avoid second hit.
- Call 911.
- Get a license number.
- Description of the person and vehicle.
- Location of damages on the car.
- Direction the car fled.
- Get pictures of the area and of your injuries, if possible.
- Get names of any witnesses and any information they have of the incident.
- Do not follow the driver.
Insurance and Pedestrian Hit-and-Run
Once the driver flees, it’s impossible to get their insurance information unless they are caught. This creates more difficulty and anxiety for the victim as they face mounting financial losses. One source of compensation my come from the victim’s own insurance as there may be a provision that pays for medical bills for a driver involved in an auto accident—regardless of fault.
In many policies, this includes when the at-fault driver has fled. However, this becomes complicated when the owner of the insurance policy is not driving their car but walking. This doesn’t mean that there is no coverage, but it does increase the complexity of the issue.
Do I need an Attorney?
In many situations, an attorney may not be needed. However, when the injuries are severe or the issues complicated like a pedestrian hit-and-run, an attorney would be a wise choice. If you are a victim of a hit and run, you need help in working through all of these complicated issues to determine how to get compensated.
You need an attorney that understands hit-and-run law and has experience dealing with insurance companies, whether yours’ or the other driver’s. Don’t wait until they start treating you poorly before you contact an attorney as some mistakes can’t be undone. The sooner you have someone working for you, the better off you are. Call the Pearce Law Firm, P.C. at (215) 557-8686 or text at 215 880 6164. You can also contact us online by clicking here.
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