What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
As you drive around Philadelphia every day, you never expect to get into an accident. However, you also know that, if you do get into a crash, your vehicle repairs and medical bills will be covered by insurance. That’s what insurance is for, right?
But what if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? Will you receive any money to help you pay for your expenses? Or will you need to pay for everything out of your own pocket?
If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver in Pennsylvania, don’t panic. Instead, reach out to the experienced personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, PA here at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers. We will provide you with the legal advice you need to navigate this tricky situation.
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How a Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You Are Hit By an Uninsured Driver
The Philadelphia auto accident lawyers here at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to working tirelessly on behalf of our clients.
When you come to us for assistance after you have been struck by an uninsured driver, we will:
Review Your Case and Walk You Through Your Options
When you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may not know what you should do next. After all, this nightmare scenario has probably never happened to you before.
Fortunately, our experienced attorneys have been helping Pennsylvania residents with car accident cases involving uninsured motorists for years. As such, we have the experience and expertise needed to know what to do in just about every situation.
When you come to us, our knowledgeable legal team will review your case thoroughly. Once we have finished, we will provide you with a detailed breakdown of your legal options.
Communicate with Your Insurance Company on Your Behalf
Depending on your insurance coverage, the best way to resolve your predicament may be through your own insurance company. If this proves to be the case for you, our attorneys will speak to your insurer on your behalf to try to get them to cut you a check to cover your expenses.
The skilled attorneys here at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, have been dealing with tight-fisted insurance companies for years. When you hire us, you can feel confident that you will be well-represented during every discussion with your insurer.
Help You Gather the Evidence You Need
Whether your case is more likely to be resolved in court or by working with your insurance company, you will need plenty of evidence to back up all of your claims. If you do not have proof that the other driver caused the accident and your injuries, your insurer may deny your claim. Similarly, if you do not have enough evidence in court, your case may be dismissed.
Our lawyers have represented countless clients in uninsured motorist car accident cases. As such, we know exactly how to find the evidence you will need to prove your claims. When you work with us, we will help you request your accident report, your medical records, and a host of other documents that will be essential to your case.
Would you like the attorneys here at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, in Philadelphia to provide you with legal assistance after your car accident? If so, just give us a call or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
Uninsured Motorists – Understanding the Problem
Pennsylvania law states that all drivers must carry an auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum liability requirements. Those minimums are:
- Personal Injury Protection ($5000): This coverage pays for the medical bills of the insured party after car accidents.
- Property Damage Liability ($5000): This coverage is used to pay for repairs to any property damaged by the insured driver.
- Bodily Injury Liability ($15,000/$30,000): This coverage pays for the medical expenses of individuals whose injuries were caused by the insured driver. The $15,000 figure represents the amount that can be paid out to a single person. The $30,000 figure represents the total payout for a single crash.
Drivers who are caught driving without insurance in Pennsylvania can have their vehicle impounded and their license suspended for up to three months. They may also face a $300 fine.
Despite these strict rules, the Insurance Research Council estimates that 13 percent of motorists in the United States are uninsured. In other words, roughly one out of every eight drivers that you meet while driving around town does not have adequate liability insurance.
It is also worth noting that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. As a result, when picking an insurance policy, drivers have the ability to choose between no-fault insurance and traditional insurance (full tort).
If you chose to purchase a no-fault policy, your right to sue an at-fault uninsured driver is severely limited by the state. Generally speaking, you may only file suit if you have been permanently disabled or disfigured as a result of the crash.
Should you choose a traditional insurance policy, however, the state of Pennsylvania allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit against an uninsured at-fault driver.
The car accident lawyers at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, are well-versed in Pennsylvania insurance law. If you have been hit by an uninsured driver, please reach out to us today to learn more about your legal options.
Filing Suit Against an Uninsured Driver
If you chose to purchase full tort insurance and were hit by an uninsured driver, you have the legal right to file a lawsuit against them. As part of your case, you and your attorney will need to prove:
- That the uninsured driver was responsible for your accident
- That you suffered injuries or property damage as a result of their actions
- That your injuries and property damage are as severe as you claim
The length of car accident lawsuits in the state of Pennsylvania can vary significantly from one case to the next. If you are lucky, the other party may be willing to resolve the case in a matter of months through a settlement agreement. However, if your suit ends up going to trial, it may take 18-24 months to reach its conclusion.
Unfortunately, even if the judge rules in your favor in court, there is no guarantee that you will actually receive any compensation from the defendant. Since the other driver does not have an insurance company on their side, any awards will need to be paid out of their own pocket. If they do not have the financial resources to pay, you will not receive much, if any compensation.
Do you have questions about the process of filing a lawsuit against an uninsured driver? The Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers legal team can help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.
How to Protect Yourself Against Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
Without question, the best way to protect yourself against drivers who do not have insurance is to add uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to your auto insurance policy. Of course, before you rush out and purchase one of these additional insurance coverages, it is a good idea to learn a little more about them. So, let’s take a look:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can provide you with financial restitution if you are involved in a car crash with an at-fault driver that is not carrying any liability insurance. It will also cover you if you get into a hit-and-run accident.
Generally speaking, uninsured motorist coverage can only be used to pay for medical expenses incurred in a traffic collision. Other damages, such as lost wages, emotional distress, and rental car costs, are rarely covered.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) can provide you with compensation if you get into an accident with an at-fault driver whose liability limits are not high enough to cover your medical expenses. Damages such as pain and suffering lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity, are almost never covered by UIM.
Of course, even if you have one of these coverage options on your car insurance policy, you may still face pushback from your insurance company when you file a claim. Before they cut you a check, you may need to:
- Provide them with a copy of a police report which states that the at-fault driver was uninsured
- Submit photos of the accident scene and the damage to your car
- Submit records of your medical treatment and any associated bills
- Speak with an adjuster about the details of your car accident
Do you need help filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance claim? Contact the Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, insurance attorneys as soon as possible. We would be happy to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Struck By a Driver That Doesn’t Have Insurance? Contact A Philadelphia Car Crash Attorney At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Today
The attorneys here at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, have been providing legal advice and assistance to the people of Philadelphia for years. If you would like us to help you fight for financial restitution after you were hit by an uninsured driver, just
Our lawyers have over 80 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. Contact our office or call (215) 875-7030 to schedule your free consultation with a car accident attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
