Hit and Run Philly Accident Leaves Chinatown Pedestrian Critically Injured

A hit-and-run accident in Philadelphia’s Chinatown area left a 53-year-old pedestrian critically injured. Police are searching for the driver, according to a Fox 29 news report.

Injuries in Chinatown Hit-and-Run Accident

The crash occurred just after 9 p.m. at the intersection of 11th Street and Vine Street. Using the crosswalk, the pedestrian was crossing 11th Street at the Vine intersection when a driver traveling west on Vine Street went through the intersection’s green light, hit the pedestrian, and kept going. 

Emergency first responders transported the injured pedestrian to Jefferson Hospital. The hospital listed him in “critical but stable” condition following the crash. 

Police described the vehicle as a “dark-colored or silver SUV.”  They ask anyone with information about the crash to contact the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8447) by call or text. Tips are confidential, and members of the public may submit tips anonymously.

Pennsylvania Law and Hit-and-Run Crashes

Pennsylvania law requires drivers to stop at the scene when an accident occurs. After any kind of accident or collision with an object, another vehicle, or a person, a driver must:

• Stop at the scene or as close to the scene as they can stop safely,
• Find the owner of any damaged vehicle or property or any injured person,
• Share their contact information with the other owner, driver, or injured person, and
• Notify the police about the accident “without unnecessary delay.”

Drivers must share the following contact information with anyone else involved in the accident:

• Name and address
• Driver’s license number
• Insurance company and policy information
• Insurance claim contact information
• Vehicle registration information

Often, the required insurance information appears on the driver’s insurance cards, which should be carried in your vehicle at all times. If you don’t have physical copies, check your insurer’s website or your email for digital copies that have this information. 

Pennsylvania also requires that drivers who make this required post-accident stop do so “without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.” 

Failing to follow this law carries criminal penalties. The penalties vary depending on what happened in the crash. They range from a summary offense for failing to stop after causing damage to an unattended vehicle to a second-degree felony for a hit-and-run that causes death. 

The time limit for facing criminal charges after a hit-and-run crash also varies. For a summary offense, a person might face charges up to 30 days after police finish their investigation or learn of the hit-and-run driver’s identity, whichever is longer. There is no time limit for facing felony charges for a hit and run that causes death. 

What to Do If You Are Injured in a Hit and Run

Hit-and-run accidents make an already tough situation even harder for an injured person. After a hit and run, you may struggle to recover from serious injuries. The bills may pile up as you miss work. You may need extra help with household tasks you once handled easily, and you may wonder if you’ll ever return to your regular life. On top of all this, you may not even know who hit you – or if you’ll ever be able to bring that person to justice.

If you’re injured in a hit-and-run accident, make sure you take the following steps:

• Get medical help immediately. Immediate medical care puts you on the best path to full recovery. It also creates a clear record of what happened and how it affected you. 
• Cooperate with first responders and law enforcement. Give police and first responders as many facts as you can. Share your own contact information and insurance information. Describe what you saw, heard, and felt immediately before and during the crash, if you can. This information can be essential for police to find the person responsible for the accident. 
• Keep copies of all your paperwork related to the accident. Collect all your medical bills, insurance paperwork, and other information. Keep it all in the same place. 
• File a report with your own insurance company as soon as you can. Many Pennsylvania drivers have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage included in their auto insurance policies. This coverage can help you meet your needs if a hit-and-run driver strikes you. If someone else in your vehicle is injured, this coverage may apply to them as well. Reach out to your insurance company to see how this coverage applies. 

Finally, speak to an experienced Pennsylvania hit-and-run injury lawyer. An attorney can help you deal with insurance and get the coverage you need. Your lawyer can also gather evidence and may be able to help track down the driver who hit you. To learn more, talk to the team at MyPhillyLawyer today.