What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Everyone who registers a car in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required to carry liability coverage, but not all do, and some carry too little to cover the damage they are ultimately responsible for. If the at-fault driver who caused you to be injured doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have adequate coverage, you’ll look to your own uninsured or underinsured coverage for compensation, and an experienced Lancaster car accident attorney can help.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance
As the name implies, uninsured (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance affords you coverage in the event that you are injured as a result of a negligent motorist who doesn’t carry the liability insurance required by law or who doesn’t carry enough to cover your losses. In Pennsylvania, your own car insurance provider is required to offer UM and UIM coverage with your policy, and the only way to deny it is in writing, which means that you are very likely to have purchased it.
Policy Stacking
It’s important to note that UM and UIM coverage in Pennsylvania can currently be stacked. This means that the coverage you carry on the vehicle that was involved in the accident can be stacked – or added to – the UIM coverage for other vehicles on the policy and any additional UM and UIM coverage for all the vehicles in your household. As such, you may have more UM and UIM coverage than you realized, which makes having professional legal counsel on your side that much more important.
Your Losses
Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist policies cover the following primary losses:
- Medical expenses – both current and ongoing
- Lost income, including lost earning potential into the future
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can exceed your other categories of loss combined
However, they do not cover property damage to your vehicle and its contents the way liability coverage does.
Uninsured Drivers Are Out There
The Insurance Information Institute (III) shares a 2023 study which found that about one in seven drivers is uninsured. This makes the risk of being injured by an uninsured motorist’s negligence all too real. Because obtaining the compensation to which you’re entitled is critical to your recovery, you shouldn’t wait to consult with a practiced car accident lawyer.
An Experienced Lancaster Car Accident Lawyer Is on Your Side
Underinsured and uninsured drivers are out there, but you can turn to your own UM or UIM coverage to help cover your physical, financial, and emotional losses. The dedicated car accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers – proudly serving Lancaster, Pennsylvania – have the experience, legal skill, and insight to help guide your claim toward a favorable resolution that supports your most complete recovery. We welcome the opportunity to help and encourage you to reach out for more information by contacting us online or calling us at (267) 551-8782 and scheduling a free consultation today.