Pittsburgh Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers
A Skilled Attorney Can Help You Overcome The Challenges Of Filing A Claim For An Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist Accident
About 6% of all motorists are uninsured in Pennsylvania, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, and you must seek compensation for accident-related damages from your insurer. However, you must have uninsured/underinsured motorist accident coverage to receive the compensation you are entitled to. For assistance with filing a claim, gathering evidence, or understanding the rules and claim limits that apply to your case, contact Goodrich & Geist, P.C. to speak with our Pittsburgh Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers.
Pittsburgh Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers Can Help You Understand Different Types Of Insurance Coverage
Depending on the type of insurance coverage you have, there are different types of accidents and losses that your policy will cover. You must understand the coverages and policies you have because they can have an impact on when – and to what limits – you can file for an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim.
The legal team at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. can help you every step of the way, and the first step is understanding common forms of motor vehicle insurance coverage, a few examples of which are outlined below.
- Basic Coverage: Your payments for basic coverage will be determined by the make and model of your vehicle, how much you drive, and your driving history. Even your age will be used to calculate your premiums. You can opt to pay a higher or lower premium and move into a higher or lower coverage tier based on your preferences.
- Medical Benefits: This coverage is mandatory, and the minimum required amount is $5,000. It pays medical bills for you and others covered by your policy irrespective of who was at fault for an accident.
- Bodily Injury Liability: This is also mandatory, and it covers the medical and rehabilitation expenses and any damages suffered by someone else that you are liable for. The minimum limit is $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for one accident.
- Property Damage Liability: This covers you if you damage someone else’s property in an accident. The minimum limit is $5,000 of coverage.
- Limited or Full Tort Coverage: Limited tort coverage offers savings on your premiums. You can recover out-of-pocket accident-related expenses, but certain damages are typically excluded, such as coverage for pain and suffering.
All of the above are mandatory in Pennsylvania, but you can choose many different types of optional coverage, such as:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage, although not mandatory, may be a good idea to have to protect yourself against losses in the event of an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist. This coverage can also be used for hit-and-run accidents in which the at-fault party flees or is never identified.
- Funeral Benefits: This pays predetermined amounts for funeral services if you or a family member is killed in a motor vehicle accident.
- Income Loss Coverage: This compensates you for income lost as a result of an accident.
- Collision Coverage: This covers vehicle repair expenses after an accident.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This covers other losses such as losses that arise from theft or damage to your car, as well as damage from hazards such as fire, flood, or vandalism.
You can file an uninsured or underinsured accident claim as soon as you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist or are hit by a hit-and-run motorist, but you are only entitled to the limits imposed by your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. Other policies you hold may kick in depending on the circumstances surrounding your case and the specifics of the various policies you hold. For example, you may be able to use part of your comprehensive coverage to pay for hit-and-run damages if your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy is insufficient to cover those losses.
Contact our Pittsburgh Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers for help understanding the various coverages that apply to your case so that you can avoid paying for any accident-related damages yourself.
Our Pittsburgh Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers Are Just A Call Away
The auto accident team at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. can help you with your uninsured motor vehicle accident case. Uninsured accident cases can be complex, but we will gather the evidence needed to support your claim and will handle all legal, insurance, and administrative steps on your behalf. We will also keep you informed regarding the progress of your case, and we will also quantify your losses and damages so that you minimize potential issues with your insurer when filing a claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents in Pittsburgh, PA
Any accident in which the at-fault party is not insured or does not have enough coverage to cover your losses is classified as an uninsured/underinsured motorist accident. Hit-and-run accidents in which the at-fault driver is never identified are also categorized as uninsured motorist accidents and you can use your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to recover losses from such accidents.
If you are stopped for a moving violation and are found to be operating your vehicle without the requisite insurance, you can face a fine of at least $300 for driving without insurance, vehicle impoundment, as well as a three-month suspension of your vehicle registration, a three-month suspension of your driver’s license, and fees to restore your vehicle registration and license.
Commercial trucks are usually very heavily insured, and rideshare vehicles usually cannot operate without all of the required coverages needed to operate such a service. As such, most uninsured motorist accidents involve private drivers.
