Pittsburgh
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. Why Hiring a Hit and Run Lawyer Early Matters
2. How Berger and Green Helps After a Hit and Run in Pittsburgh
3. Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents
4. Who Pays for Your Injuries After a Hit and Run?
5. Proving Negligence in a Hit and Run
6. Statute of Limitations for Hit and Run Cases in Pennsylvania

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2026

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

A hit-and-run crash can leave you injured, overwhelmed, and unsure how to pay for medical care or repairs when the driver responsible has disappeared. Speaking with a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer early can help you understand your options and avoid mistakes that may affect your claim. For more than 40 years, the attorneys at Berger and Green have guided injured people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. 
When you work with our Pittsburgh hit and run accident lawyers, you gain a team dedicated to protecting your rights and making the process easier during a difficult time. We know you’re hurting. We can help. From your first call, we step in to communicate with insurers, explain your next steps, and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Your consultation is free, and you owe no attorneys’ fees unless we win for you.

Why Hiring a Hit and Run Lawyer Early Matters

Hit-and-run cases create unique challenges that can make it difficult for injured people to get the compensation they need. The driver who caused the crash may never be identified, evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies often question claims when information is limited. Taking action early helps protect your rights and strengthens your ability to recover damages.
When the at-fault driver flees, you may be left with little more than vehicle damage, injuries, and uncertainty. Key details—such as witness statements, video footage, or documentation from responding officers—can be lost if not gathered promptly. Insurance companies may also scrutinize these claims more closely, which makes timely steps especially important.
Some of the most common issues arise when victims try to manage the process alone, including:

• Delayed reporting that jeopardizes insurance coverage
• Missing or incomplete evidence
• Difficulty identifying available insurance benefits
• Pressure from insurers to give statements before understanding your injuries
• Incorrect assumptions about who will pay for medical care or repairs

Working with Pittsburgh hit and run accident lawyers early ensures that someone is preserving vital evidence, communicating with insurance companies on your behalf, and helping you avoid missteps that could affect your claim. Our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers also understand the reporting requirements and deadlines that apply to these cases, making it easier for you to focus on your health and recovery while your legal team handles the rest.

How Berger and Green Helps After a Hit and Run in Pittsburgh

After a hit-and-run crash, you may be left unsure where to turn, especially when the driver responsible cannot be identified. For more than 40 years, the attorneys at Berger and Green have helped injured people across Pittsburgh understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and move forward after serious accidents.
Working with our Pittsburgh hit and run accident lawyers gives you the support of a team that knows how to handle the challenges these cases create. We understand the frustration of unanswered questions, the stress of growing medical bills, and the pressure insurers can place on victims who are simply trying to recover.

What Our Team Does for You

Long before a case reaches settlement or litigation, there are critical steps that help protect your claim. Our attorneys guide you through these steps and provide steady support throughout the process. With our client-first approach, you can count on us to help you by:

• Handling communication with insurance companies
• Evaluating available coverages that may support your claim
• Keeping you informed about what to expect at each stage
• Advising you on timelines, reporting requirements, and next steps
• Offering free home or hospital visits if travel is difficult
• Representing you on a contingency-fee basis, so you owe no attorneys’ fees unless we win

Having a dedicated legal team on your side can make a meaningful difference in identifying what happened, preserving critical information, and building a strong foundation for your claim. Berger and Green is committed to standing beside you from the first call until your case is resolved, providing the guidance and advocacy you deserve during a difficult time. Call us to get started with your free consultation.

Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents

A hit-and-run crash can cause injuries that range from minor to life-changing, especially when victims are struck without warning and have no opportunity to brace for impact. Many of these injuries are not immediately obvious, which is why prompt medical evaluation is essential. Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries
• Back and neck trauma, including herniated or bulging discs
• Fractures and joint injuries
• Concussions and other head or brain injuries
• Chest, rib, or abdominal injuries caused by seatbelts or impact force

Some conditions may not present symptoms right away. Seeing a doctor shortly after the crash protects both your health and your ability to show how the accident affected you. Proper documentation also helps establish the connection between your injuries and the hit-and-run, which insurers often scrutinize closely.

Why Some Drivers Flee—and What That Means for You

It can be difficult to understand why someone would cause a crash and then drive away. While every situation is different, many hit-and-run drivers flee because they fear the consequences of stopping. Drivers may flee because they are:

• Driving without a valid license or insurance
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Afraid of being arrested for an unrelated offense
• Distracted or speeding and fearful of the penalties
• Panicking after causing a serious injury or major damage, especially if they are young and inexperienced teen drivers

Understanding these potential motives can help explain why the driver left, but it does not change your right to pursue compensation. Even when the at-fault driver is never identified, there still may be paths forward through insurance coverage and other legal options. The important thing is to take steps to protect your claim as soon as possible.

Who Pays for Your Injuries After a Hit and Run?

When the driver who caused the crash cannot be located, it’s natural to worry about how you’ll cover medical bills, lost income, or repairs. Victims may have paths for financial recovery, even when the at-fault driver flees. Early guidance can help you understand which applies in your case.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry PIP coverage. With PIP, drivers turn to their own insurance policies first, regardless of fault. It helps pay for medical expenses, sometimes a portion of lost wages, and some other benefits. Many people, however, carry only the minimum amount, which can be exhausted quickly.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Because hit-and-run crashes are treated as accidents caused by an uninsured driver, UM coverage may help pay for your injuries. Insurers typically require a timely police report and timely notification of the claim. Working with Pittsburgh hit and run accident lawyers can help ensure these steps are handled properly. UM coverage is optional and is only available if you purchased it or are considered an insured under a policy with such coverage. 

Collision Coverage

If your vehicle is badly damaged, collision coverage—if you carry it—may help pay for repairs, minus your deductible.

Health Insurance

Health insurance may cover additional medical care once auto coverage is applied.

Your Options If the At-Fault Driver Is Found

If police later identify the driver, you may have the option to file a liability claim or lawsuit directly against them. This opens the door to recovering a wider range of damages than insurance alone may provide. 
In addition to medical bills and lost wages, you may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering, long-term health effects, and other losses tied to the crash. Taking action quickly ensures your rights are preserved should the opportunity to pursue the at-fault driver become available.

Proving Negligence in a Hit and Run

Even when the driver responsible for the crash flees, you still need to show how the accident happened and why the other party was at fault. Insurance companies require proof of negligence before they will pay certain types of claims, and they often scrutinize hit-and-run cases more closely because the at-fault driver is unknown. Establishing what happened early can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.

How Fault Is Shown When the Driver Leaves the Scene

Negligence in a hit-and-run claim is demonstrated in much the same way as in any other collision. You must show that a driver failed to act safely and that this conduct caused the crash and your resulting injuries. While the other driver may not be identified immediately—or at all—there are still ways to show how the collision occurred.
Evidence may come from:

• Statements from people who witnessed the crash
• Photos of the scene and vehicle damage
• Documentation from responding officers
• Patterns of damage that align with your account
• Video captured by nearby businesses or homeowners, when available
• Your prompt report to police and your insurer

Insurers look closely at whether your description of the crash aligns with available evidence. Taking steps to document what happened and seeking medical care as soon as possible helps establish a clear connection between the collision and your injuries. The stronger the foundation of evidence, the more effectively you can pursue compensation. This can be daunting to handle alone, but our firm is here to help guide you.

Statute of Limitations for Hit and Run Cases in Pennsylvania

Understanding the deadlines that apply to personal injury claims is an important part of protecting your right to compensation. In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries caused by another driver, according to Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. 
This same two-year period applies to wrongful death claims when a hit-and-run results in the loss of a loved one. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering damages, even when the evidence strongly supports your case.

Additional Time-Sensitive Requirements

Beyond the legal filing deadline, certain insurance policies their own notice and reporting requirements. Most insurers expect prompt reporting of the crash and may also require a timely police report before they will consider a UM claim. These rules can vary, and failing to comply can lead to delays or denials.
That’s why speaking with Pittsburgh hit and run accident lawyers as soon as possible can help you avoid missing a critical deadline. Early guidance ensures that your claim is properly documented, reported, and preserved while you focus on medical care and recovery.
Acting quickly also helps preserve evidence and strengthens your ability to pursue full compensation for your injuries.

Important Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Crash

Once you are out of immediate danger, focus on gathering information and documenting what happened. These early actions can make a meaningful difference, as evidence in hit-and-run cases can disappear quickly.

• Call 911 right away. Reporting the crash ensures you receive needed medical help and creates an official record. In Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will typically respond and document the incident.
• Stay at the scene and avoid chasing the driver. Pursuing the fleeing vehicle can put you at risk and may complicate your claim.
• Write down any details you remember. Vehicle color, make, partial license plate numbers, or distinguishing features can help later.
• Look for witnesses. Ask for names and contact information from anyone who may have seen the crash.
• Take photos or videos. Document vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and the surrounding area.
• Seek medical attention promptly. Even minor symptoms can worsen over time, and early records help connect your injuries to the crash.
• Notify your insurance company. Timely reporting is essential, especially for UM coverage.

These steps help preserve critical evidence and establish a clearer picture of what happened, making it easier to move forward with the claims process while you focus on healing.

Get Help With Your Hit and Run in Pittsburgh Now

A hit-and-run crash can leave you facing a situation you never expected to handle on your own. You deserve guidance from a team that understands what you are going through and knows how to protect your rights. At Berger and Green, we take the time to listen, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.
Our Pittsburgh hit and run attorneys offer free consultations and only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. We also provide home or hospital visits when travel is difficult, ensuring the support you need is always within reach. We know you’re hurting. We can help. Contact Berger and Green today to get started.