What Happens if You Get into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Pennsylvania?
If you were involved in a car accident, the last piece of information you want to receive is that the other driver did not possess insurance. Accidents with uninsured drivers can make it difficult to recover compensation for serious injuries and damage to your vehicle. However, there are some options that an injured person has after a crash with an uninsured motorist. If an uninsured driver struck you or a family member, contact an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer today. The Reiff Law Firm is here to help you hold the negligent driver that injured you accountable for their actions. Our firm is here to explain what happens when you have an uninsured car accident with a negligent motorist.
Insurance Coverage Laws in Pennsylvania for Uninsured Car Accidents
In Pennsylvania, motorists are legally required to purchase a basic automobile insurance coverage plan. This policy should include coverage for personal and bodily injury and property damage liability. However, aside from minimum insurance coverage, Pennsylvania does not legally require drivers to have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
While Pennsylvania does not require drivers to purchase uninsured or underinsured coverage, it is always wise to pay additional money for the extra coverage. If an uninsured driver strikes you, you may have difficulty recovering the compensation needed to treat your injuries and repair the damage to your vehicle.
It is important to note that having full tort coverage for your vehicle does not always mean that you are covered for accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. You should check with your insurance company to ensure whether you must purchase uninsured coverage separately from a full coverage policy. If you lack uninsured coverage, your insurance company may only cover injuries and damages up to your policy limit, leaving you to pursue the other driver for additional compensation.
What to Do After a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver
If you were involved in a car crash with an uninsured driver, you should still gather evidence that may help you file a lawsuit against the driver if you do not have uninsured vehicle coverage. After calling emergency medical services and law enforcement, you should ask the uninsured driver for the following information:
- Name, driver’s license, and contact information
- The make, model, and license plate of the vehicle they were driving
You should also gather evidence that helps your insurance company determine how the accident occurred. For example, if the accident happened when it was raining heavily, this should be documented. Other important evidence should include:
- Photographs of your injuries and the damage to the vehicles involved
- Photographs of the scene of the accident
- Contact information from any witnesses willing to provide a statement
- The police report from law enforcement after they assess the scene of the crash
Once you are finished at the scene of the accident, you should seek medical assistance for your injuries. You should not assume that you did not suffer an injury as some injuries may take days or even weeks to manifest symptoms.
You should also inform your insurance company of the accident immediately. If your car insurance policy is not enough to cover your injuries and damage to your vehicle, our firm can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. To learn more about filing a lawsuit against a negligent driver, contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney today.
Filing a Lawsuit Against an Uninsured Driver
There can be any number of reasons that a driver did not insure their vehicle. One of these reasons could be that the driver did not have the money to pay for insurance coverage. This could also mean that the driver may not have the funds to compensate you for a serious car accident. However, if your insurance company does not provide sufficient compensation after a car accident with an uninsured driver, a lawsuit may be your only option.
Our firm can help you determine the best legal option after being struck by an uninsured driver. If you were the driver that did not possess car insurance, we could help you determine the best course of action to minimize your liability for the crash.
Contact Our Experienced Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys to Represent You
If you or a family member was seriously injured in a car crash, contact an experienced Lancaster car accident injury attorney today. The injury attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm possess decades of legal experience that we will utilize to help you pursue a desirable outcome to your case. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
