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Despite Pennsylvania law requiring all vehicle owners to purchase car insurance coverage, a surprising number of people in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth still choose to drive without any car insurance at all. On top of that, thousands more drivers are insured but only have the minimum amount of coverage mandated by law, which means they may not have nearly enough to cover the kind of losses that a serious auto accident can cause.
Either way, dealing with uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Philadelphia can be far from simple, and it is not something you want to try doing on your own. Fortunately, you have support available from experienced auto accident lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys. Our skilled legal team can help you maximize what you get from your insurance claim(s) and guide you through the process of seeking additional restitution through other means.
What Does State Law Say About Auto Insurance?
In Pennsylvania, all car owners must purchase insurance policies that provide:
- At least $15,000 of liability insurance coverage for a single person’s injuries
- $30,000 of coverage for all injuries from a single accident
- A minimum of $5,000 of coverage for all property damage stemming from a single incident
Alternatively, drivers can stay within the requirements set by state law if they purchase a comprehensive car insurance policy that provides at least $35,000 of liability coverage for all losses caused by a single wreck.
This type of coverage only kicks in if the policyholder is found at fault for the wreck, in which case it is only available to other people involved in the accident, not the policyholder themselves.
Anyone who drives while uninsured in Philadelphia is subject to a $300 minimum fine and a three-month suspension of their driver’s license and vehicle registration for a first offense. They can also be held personally liable to pay for losses they cause through an auto accident out of their own pockets.
Preparing in Advance for a Car Crash With an Uninsured Driver
Someone who chooses to drive without any auto insurance coverage or bare-minimum coverage is unlikely to have much in the way of personal assets, so lawsuits against uninsured drivers are rarely very successful in that regard. Because of that, recovering from Philadelphia car wrecks caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers typically requires taking advantage of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage first—which should be included with every auto insurance policy and covers medical expenses for the policyholder up to policy limits.
After that, the best source of support is usually uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, an optional add-on to standard insurance policies meant specifically for scenarios like this. A qualified legal professional can help determine whether this coverage is included in a particular policy and help make the most of it.
Get Help from a Philadelphia Attorney With an Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accident Claim
There is no easy way forward after getting into a serious car accident, and certainly not one where the person to blame for the crash has no insurance. Under circumstances like this, it can be more important than ever to have help from a knowledgeable legal professional who has handled cases like yours successfully in the past.
If you have been hurt in an uninsured/underinsured car accident in Philadelphia, contacting a seasoned auto accident lawyer should be your number-one priority. Schedule a consultation by calling today.
