Pittsburgh Uninsured/Underinsured Drivers Lawyers
Help when you’re injured in a Pennsylvania car accident with an uninsured driver
Car accidents can be stressful, but your situation can become even more complicated if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. Dealing with the aftermath can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re left wondering how to cover your medical expenses or replace/repair your vehicle. Understanding your insurance options and legal rights can make a big difference in how you recover after such an accident.
Free Case Evaluation
What would you like to know?
- What are the car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania?
- What is no-fault insurance in Pennsylvania?
- What types of damages are covered under no-fault insurance?
- What happens if I'm in a Pittsburgh accident with an uninsured driver?
- What is UM/UIM coverage?
- What steps should I take after an accident with an uninsured driver?
- What are my legal options after a Pittsburgh accident with an uninsured driver?
- How can your Pittsburgh car accident lawyers help?
- Do you have a Pittsburgh uninsured/underinsured driver lawyer near me?
What are the car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance in case of an accident. Here’s a breakdown of the minimum requirements:
- $15,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
- $5,000 for damage to property of another person
These are the minimum requirements – many drivers opt for additional coverage, like uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which offers you important protections in accidents involving drivers without adequate insurance.
What is no-fault insurance in Pennsylvania?
No-fault insurance means that you turn to your own insurance provider to cover medical expenses, no matter who caused the car accident. This is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Your PIP allows you to recover medical bills, and, if elected, lost wages, and other costs. This helps you, as a victim, receive your benefits more quickly without having to wait for the fault analysis to be determined.
No-fault insurance, however, only applies to personal injuries. Property damage claims and vehicle repairs aren't included in PIP coverage. For these, you’ll likely need to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
What types of damages are covered under no-fault insurance?
No-fault insurance will cover some important expenses after a car accident, including:
- Your medical bills, including hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- If your injuries prevent you from working, PIP may cover lost income.
- If a car accident leads to the death of a loved one, PIP, if elected, can cover funeral and burial expenses.
However, non-economic damages like pain and suffering are not covered under PIP. No-fault insurance focuses only on your immediate losses.
What happens if I’m in a Pittsburgh accident with an uninsured driver?
Your ability to recover compensation can be complicated if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. Typically, their driver’s liability insurance would cover your damages, including medical bills that exceed your (PIP) limits, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. However, if the at-fault driver is uninsured, a recovery may be difficult.
The good news is that Pennsylvania law allows drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage as part of their car insurance policies. This optional coverage will protect you in cases where the other driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough to fully cover your losses. If you don’t have UM/UIM coverage, you may have to rely on your own medical benefits (PIP) and potentially pay out-of-pocket for additional expenses.
What is UM/UIM coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage are optional, affordable and highly recommended. Here’s how the coverage works.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This comes in when you’re in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have any insurance. It can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough, to cover the full extent of your damages. For example, let's say you are struck by a driver with the State minimum $15,000 in bodily injury coverage, however your injuries are extensive and the value of your case is $500,000. If you did not select UIM coverage on your auto insurance policy you likely will never obtain the compensation you deserve as the underinsured driver is not likely to have assets to permit a recovery. If you selected appropriate UIM insurance there will be enough funds available to compensate you fully for your injuries.
Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but some still choose to drive without coverage, and others may carry only the minimum coverage. This may not be sufficient in a serious accident. UM/UIM coverage provides you with an additional layer of financial protection, ensuring you’re not left paying for someone else’s negligence.
Generally, UM/UIM coverage is the cheapest and most reasonably priced insurance you can add to your auto policy. If you have multiple vehicles in your household you should elect “Stacking” which will allow even more protection at an even more reasonable cost. Furthermore, if you recover under your UM/UIM policy your insurance rates cannot go up in the future.
What steps should I take after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver?
If you were involved in a Pittsburgh car accident with an uninsured driver, take these steps to protect your rights and build a strong claim for compensation.
- Report the accident to law enforcement, especially if the other driver is uninsured. The police report documents the incident, including the uninsured status of the other driver, which can be important when filing a claim with your insurance company.
- Get the other driver’s contact information. Also, gather contact details for any witnesses who saw the accident.
- Even if your injuries seem minor, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, might not show symptoms immediately. However, these injuries can worsen over time.
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Then, consult with an experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyer. At Carmody & Ging, Accident & Injury Lawyers we can help you negotiate with insurance companies and pursue any other additional legal options available, including setting up a UM/UIM claim.
- Retaining an experienced law firm like Carmody & Ging is essential to initiate a UM/UIM claim as there are certain requirements that need to be completed before your claim can be initiated.
What are my legal options after a Pittsburgh accident with an uninsured driver?
It is important to retain an experienced personal injury law firm to successfully pursue any UM/UIM claim. There are certain requirements such as obtaining “consent to settle and waiver of subrogation” from YOUR auto insurance carrier before you can pursue and recover under a UIM claim. The requirements can be complicated so don’t risk losing your right to recover by not hiring an experienced personal injury law firm like Carmody & Ging.
How can your Pittsburgh car accident lawyers help?
It’s not easy to deal with an uninsured or underinsured driver, but having a skilled Pittsburgh car accident attorney on your side can make a big difference. Here’s how we can assist you:
- We gather evidence to establish liability, including police reports, witness statements, and photos of the accident scene.
- We can review your insurance policy to determine the best way to maximize your UM/UIM benefits.
- Because insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, we can handle the negotiations on your behalf to make sure you secure fair compensation for your losses.
- If the uninsured driver lacks assets, we can explore other sources of compensation, like third-party liability.
Do you have a Pittsburgh uninsured/underinsured driver lawyer near me?
Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers office is located at 801 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh, on the 3rd floor of the Deutschtown Center building. Our office is on the North Shore, directly across the street from Penn Brewery, and parking outside is available. You can also reach us by bus – the Troy Hill Road bus stop is close by. If you’re too injured to travel, our lawyers do make alternative arrangements, such as conducting a video conference or meeting you at your home or at a healthcare facility.
Talk to our Pittsburgh UM/UIM lawyers today
Were you or a loved one injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver? You don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. The experienced Pittsburgh car accident attorneys at Carmody & Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers, can help you understand your options, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation to which you’re entitled. Let us help you secure the justice and financial recovery you need to move forward with confidence. To schedule a free consultation with a UM/UIM lawyer, call our offices or complete our contact form.
