No one seeks to be involved in a car accident. Most drivers on Philly roads know they must stay safe and obey all traffic laws so that an accident does not happen. When an accident does occur, you assume the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover the damages and expenses related to the accident. While that is how it should be, many drivers do not carry car insurance. Failure to carry insurance is against the law and leaves victims wondering what to do next. There are other situations where a driver does have insurance, but it is not enough to cover the damages from the accident. These two situations are not unique, and accident victims have legal options. A Philadelphia car accident attorney can review your legal options when an uninsured driver injures you.
Insurance liability law
Every driver in Philadelphia must have the following minimums in their car insurance policy:
- Bodily injury liability: The Pennsylvania state minimum for bodily injury is $15,000 for one injured person and $30,000 for one accident. This coverage covers anyone you injure in an accident.
- Property damage liability: Any damage a driver causes to other vehicles and property is covered up to $5,000 per the state minimum.
- Medical coverage: The state minimum in Pennsylvania is $5,000, and it covers you, your passenger, and other drivers on your insurance policy.
While these are the minimums, you can purchase higher limits. Having higher limits can help during a severe accident. There are many different coverage options available to drivers in Philadelphia, depending on the insurance company you choose. One coverage option you should look into is UM coverage. While it is not a requirement, it can help if you are injured in an accident with an uninsured driver.
What is an uninsured driver?
Now that you are aware of the state minimums, you can identify an uninsured or underinsured driver. An uninsured driver is a person who did not purchase an insurance policy with the minimums mentioned above. While there are ways the state attempts to thwart drivers who do not have adequate insurance, many Philly individuals decide to get behind the wheel without coverage. When an uninsured driver causes an accident, they are still liable for the damage they cause. However, victims are left to go through their insurance policy in many cases. Contacting a Philadelphia car accident attorney when you find out the other driver did not have insurance is vital.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The severity of your injuries and damage are essential to determining the best legal route available to you. If your policy covers all of your accident-related expenses, you are not eligible for a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the policy does not cover all of your costs, you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. When a Philly driver causes injuries and does not have insurance, it places an enormous burden on victims. When you have uninsured motorist coverage, other options are available to you. Instead of being liable for all excess expenses, the UM coverage will kick in and provide additional compensatory options. You may also need to tap into health insurance benefits. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyer will help review all of your legal options.
You need a Philadelphia car accident attorney
While you can go through the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you can also work exclusively with your insurance company. It can speed up the process, and you recover compensation for your accident faster. When you buy the insurance policy, you are given the option to go with a full-tort or a limited tort coverage policy. However, depending on your policy limits, you can still be liable for excess accident expenses. You will also need to decide whether to add UM coverage to your policy. After an accident, review your insurance policy and call Kwartler Manus, LLC at (267) 457-5570 or through our online form.