Who You Can Sue If an Uninsured Driver Hits You in PA
When you’re hit by an uninsured driver in Pennsylvania, the state’s uninsured motorist (UM) laws allow you to pursue compensation for your injuries through your own auto insurance policy instead.
Under 75 Pa.C.S. §1731, insurers must offer UM coverage to all PA motorists. If you have this coverage in place, it ensures that your own insurance provider will evaluate and pay out your claim should the at-fault party be uninsured. Although you can opt out of UM coverage, when it’s active, it will provide financial compensation up to your plan’s specified limits.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Pennsylvania
Uninsured motorist coverage can help you to recover compensation for any injuries you have suffered in your accident, as well as damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
UM coverage can also compensate you in certain hit-and-run situations. According to the Pennsylvania Code §63, this coverage may apply both to injuries caused by at-fault uninsured drivers and those caused by hit-and-run motorists – even if the owner or driver of the other vehicle can’t be identified.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, report it to the police and your insurance carrier as soon as possible. Once you’ve sought medical attention, gather as much evidence as you can, including:
- Videos and photographs of the scene
- Eyewitness contact details
- Any information you can find about the other vehicle and its driver
- Your medical records and financial receipts.
What Other Sources of Accident Compensation Are Available?
UM coverage aside, you may also be able to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver. However, whether this is practical depends on the driver’s circumstances and assets.
Other insurance policies, such as your primary healthcare plan, may also cover excess medical expenses. You might also be eligible to pursue a third-party liability claim if another party, such as the driver’s employer, contributed to your accident.
A skilled Pennsylvania car accident lawyer can review your policy, investigate the other driver’s coverage, and identify all possible avenues for securing your rightful compensation.