What to Do if an Uninsured Driver Hits You in Montgomery County

Stressful doesn’t begin to describe the experience of being in a car accident. When the other driver in the accident has no insurance, the stress is compounded. A bad situation goes from bad to worse. Medical bills, car repairs, and vehicle repairs are all up in the air when the at-fault driver lacks insurance to pay for what they’ve done. 

From there, questions begin to pile up: who is going to pay for vehicle repairs, and how to get to work without a vehicle while the vehicle is out of service. Where, if anywhere, can an insurance claim be filed, and will it be possible to hold the at-fault driver responsible for their actions?

Pennsylvania Law Offers Protection for Victims Injured By  Uninsured Drivers

Montgomery County drivers can take some solace in the protections offered under Pennsylvania law. A driver injured by an uninsured driver has options for pursuing a claim. Having a plan makes it much easier for the victim of an accident to repair their vehicle and receive compensation for injuries. A driver must be prepared to file a claim against their own insurance policy when the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage of their own. 

Pennsylvania law requires all drivers operating a vehicle to have valid car insurance. Unfortunately, some drivers choose each day to drive without insurance. There are a variety of reasons for this, from never having insurance to allowing their policies to lapse due to the cost of maintaining coverage. Whatever the reason, an uninsured motorist puts all other drivers at risk of suffering substantial harm. 

A similar group of drivers is known as underinsured motorists. As the name would indicate, an underinsured motorist has car insurance but lacks sufficient coverage to make another driver whole after causing an accident. These drivers are not in the same position as a driver who has no insurance. However, the end result for the driver injured by these underinsured motorists can feel very similar. 

Steps to Take Immediately After Suffering an Injury During an Uninsured Motorist Accident

Do not jump to conclusions that all is lost when the at-fault driver in a car accident lacks insurance. Instead, having a plan and following it through provides a sense of calm during those initial, tense days after a car accident. Following these steps can solidify the position of an injured driver:

• Contact law enforcement. A well-documented accident is one that provides an injured driver a better opportunity to collect maximum damages for their injuries. Explain clearly to the presenting officer what occurred. Depending on the steps a case takes, the police report may end up being the most important piece of evidence available. 
• Speaking of evidence, the period immediately after an accident is the most critical for collecting it. From vehicle and accident scene photos to statements from any party involved in the accident, these sorts of evidence matter a great deal of difference in a case. 
• Determine a course of action for receiving medical attention. Even if a driver believes he or she is uninjured, he or she should strongly consider seeking follow-up care. Some injuries take hours or even days to produce pain. Seeking care soon after a car accident helps to avoid major health problems in the near future. 

An Injured Driver Must Contact Their Own Insurance After an Uninsured Motorist Accident

The more information that can be provided to your own insurance after an uninsured motorist accident, the better off the injured party will be. If available, offer a copy of the police report or any other evidence that has been collected by this time. 

What Coverage Options are Available for Montgomery County Drivers?

Making good decisions regarding insurance coverage provides a strong safety net for injured drivers. Both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is available to Montgomery County drivers. It is not mandatory to carry this type of insurance coverage in Montgomery County or Pennsylvania as a whole, but there is no better protection for a driver injured by an uninsured motorist. 

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are the best defense for drivers in car accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers. Medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost wages can all be paid for by uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. 

Personal Injury Protection, better known as PIP, takes the protections offered by uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and strengthens them further. Medical bills and much of a victim’s lost wages are covered under PIP. PIP is a necessity for Pennsylvania drivers- it cannot be declined at the time of signing up for insurance coverage. 

Collision Coverage as a Means to Avoid Paying for Vehicle Repairs after an Uninsured Motorist Accident

An injured driver need not fear paying for damage to their vehicle if collision coverage is maintained. Collision coverage pays for vehicle repairs in the event that the at-fault driver does not have insurance. It likely means their deductible must be paid first, but it beats a situation where an injury victim also has to pay for their own vehicle repairs. 

What Does Insurance Coverage Mean for a Motorist Injured in an Uninsured Motorist Accident?

An injury victim can use their own insurance to eliminate many of the out-of-pocket costs associated with being involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Understanding what insurance is optional versus what is mandatory can create a sense of cohesion and intentionality that can make a tremendous difference in the life of an injury victim. 

Contact an Experienced Montgomery County Car Accident Lawyer

For a free case review, contact Montgomery County car accident lawyer Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., today. As a skilled courtroom practitioner, trust our law office to defend the rights of those injured in uninsured-motorist accidents.