There were nearly 130,000 motor vehicle accidents reported to law enforcement in Pennsylvania in 2016, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
These accidents resulted in approximately 83,000 injuries, an estimated 1,200 fatalities, and millions of dollars in economic losses.
Pennsylvania law requires every motorist to carry a specified minimum amount of liability insurance to cover bodily injuries, property damages, and additional losses they might cause others in the event of an accident.
However, not all motorists play by the rules, choosing to risk potential fines and other penalties by driving without insurance at all, or with less insurance than they should have.
Nationally, approximately one in eight drivers are uninsured, according to a 2017 study by the Insurance Research Council. In Pennsylvania, an estimated 7.6 percent of motorists drive without insurance. Motorists and passengers hurt in accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers often have a difficult time receiving the compensation they deserve, and many are forced to turn to their individual insurance policies for help.
Motorists and passengers with liability-only insurance coverage will be out of luck, which is why carrying additional insurance coverages—such uninsured motorist coverage—is so important. An optional type of auto insurance, uninsured motorist coverage compensates drivers, their families and their passengers for bodily injuries sustained in accidents caused by drivers without insurance, as well as hit-and-run accidents.
A second type of optional insurance, known as underinsured motorist coverage, provides additional protection by paying for bodily injuries when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover a claim.
Does Your Auto Insurance Policy Provide Sufficient Protection?
Many motorists are surprised to find that their insurance coverage doesn’t provide the ironclad protection they thought it did. Sadly, these insurance coverage gaps often go undiscovered until an accident occurs.
Don’t let this happen to you. The car accident attorneys at Accident and Injury Law Group can help you understand your current coverage, as well as recommend optional coverages that leave you better protected. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation. Our attorneys can also help if you were injured in an accident.