Uninsured / Underinsured Motorists

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry vehicle liability insurance, or "financial responsibility." This is because motor vehicles have the capacity to cause expensive damage and painful injuries if the driver makes the slightest of mistakes.

Some drivers, however, do not follow the law. They fail to maintain the proper coverage, or any coverage at all. If you get in an accident in which the other driver is responsible, it may be more difficult to recover your injuries. However, all hope is not lost.

Philadelphia Lawyer for Uninsured Driver Accidents

If you are involved in an auto accident and the responsible driver is not carrying insurance or is not carrying enough insurance, your path to recovering for your damages is complicated, but a Philadelphia auto accident lawyer can help you get the best results. Our personal injury attorneys at Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC can take on cases involving uninsured drivers and uninsured drivers, and help the victims find all options to collect. Call us today at (215) 665-1695 to set up a consultation.

We can represent clients throughout the Philadelphia area, including Chester County and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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Pennsylvania Insurance Requirements for Motorists

To legally drive in Pennsylvania, you must carry liability insurance. Liability insurance pays for the damages of anyone who is hurt by the covered driver's negligence. The insurance covers other drivers, pedestrians, property owners and anyone who might suffer damages as a result of an auto accident.

The insurance is required to meet certain minimum requirements. A driver is required to have at least $5,000 of coverage for medical benefits, which pays for the medical bills of the covered person.  There must be at least $5,000 of coverage for property damage.  Drivers also must carry $15,000/$30,000 for body injury liability — $15,000 for injuries to one person, and a $30,000 limit for the total of an accident.

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Philadelphia Drivers Ignore Liability Law

Some Philadelphia drivers ignore the requirement to carry liability insurance altogether. They may also fail to pay their premiums and allow their insurance to lapse. Lapsed insurance means no insurance.

Others may have some form of liability insurance, but do not even meet the minimum requirements. Other times, they may carry just the minimum, but it does not cover the extent of the damage, particularly if you have significant hospital bills or drive an expensive car.

In some cases, such drivers are simply irresponsible, and have the means to pay insurance but simply fail to do so. Your Philadelphia auto accident counsel can investigate the driver. If they have significant assets, you may be able to recover by suing the driver. You may also be able to garnish wages if they have a job.

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Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

However, most drivers who carry insufficient or no insurance do so because are poor and do not have the means to do so. Suing them will not be a fruitful.

Ideally, you have opted to carry uninsured motorist and/or underinsured motorist coverage on your own insurance policy. This optional coverage applies to any bodily injury you or any covered person suffers if you are involved in an accident in which an uninsured or underinsured person is at fault. It does not cover property damage, such as damage to your car.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that it is your insurance company, you may still have trouble getting compensated. An insurance company is an insurance company, and they treat everyone seeking to recover from them the same way, whether the person they covered is at fault or not: By trying to lowball and get away with paying as little as possible.

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Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC | Philadelphia Attorney for Underinsured Driver Accidents

Our Philadelphia auto accident lawyers at Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC can deal with your insurance company and seek the compensation you deserve for your uninsured driver or underinsured driver policy. Getting into an accident with someone who is not carrying financial responsibility can be a huge hassle. Let us help. Call us today at (215) 665-1695 to set up a consultation.