What If I Get Involved In An Auto Accident With An Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist?
Part I of II
Every state has a law that requires motorists to have some type of automobile insurance. This is known as the state minimum automobile insurance requirement. Even with strict minimum insurance laws, many drivers still do not have any insurance coverage or are underinsured. When an uninsured or underinsured motorist is involved in an accident, the lack of coverage can cause hardship for any person who suffers an injury as a result of the accident. It is up to you to have proper insurance coverage in the event that the motorist who caused your injuries is uninsured or insufficiently insured with enough coverage to properly compensate you for injuries sustained. The Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at the Philadelphia law firm of Reiff and Bily have been researching and handling uninsured and underinsured motorist cases since 1979.
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) reports that 14% of all drivers were uninsured . Pennsylvania had a reported 9% of uninsured motorists, which is much higher now especially in the city of Philadelphia. The reason why so many drivers do not have proper insurance is economical. As economic conditions continue to deteriorate, it is likely that there will be a growing epidemic of uninsured and underinsured motorists on the roadways. Many drivers cannot afford even the minimum amount of coverage required by state law. It also costs money for the state to enforce the state minimum coverage law. Some states are starting to take action to prevent uninsured drivers on the road. In California, a new bill enacts a provision that would require drivers to register their insurance coverage or else have their license plates removed. Removing the plates will still allow a limit of how many days one could drive without a plate, but after that the vehicle will be impounded if driven without a plate. While this system may have some loopholes, it’s a step in the right direction for drivers to maintain minimum insurance coverage.
In addition to being uninsured, a motorist who is liable for an accident and underinsured may prevent an injured party from receiving proper remedies because their coverage limits might be too low. To be able to collect for damages from the underinsured or uninsured motorist, there is an option to collect from your insurance company if you have purchased the policy option to do so. This option compensates the difference between the injury suffered and the liability covered by the insurance of the uninsured/underinsured driver. The policy option to be compensated for injuries from an uninsured or underinsured driver include: medical bills and lost wages; pain, suffering and disfigurement; emotional distress; and loss of future earning capacity. This does not include damages to your car or punitive damages.
