The last thing you expect is that you will be involved in an accident when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle and Philadelphia. However, crashes do occur regularly in this area. Unfortunately, uninsured drivers are not uncommon on our roadways. If you have been injured or sustained property damage in an accident caused by an uninsured driver in Philadelphia, you need to know what steps to take to help recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Steps to Take After a Crash With an Uninsured Driver
Data available from the Insurance Information Institute shows us that approximately 6% of all drivers in Pennsylvania are uninsured. This is actually on the lower spectrum when it comes to states across the country, so that is certainly a benefit for drivers in Philadelphia. However, that still means that, out of every 100 crashes that occur in PA, around six of them involve drivers without insurance.
- Stay at the scene. You need to stay at the scene of an accident no matter what. Failing to remain at the scene, even one where the other driver is uninsured, could lead to hit and run charges.
- Call 911. You need to call 911 and report the vehicle accident so the police can come to the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation. The police report will be very important when it comes to filing your claim with insurance carriers.
- Gather evidence. If it is safe to do so at the scene of the crash, you can gather evidence. This could include gathering the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the crash, including other drivers or bystanders nearby. You can use your phone or another type of camera to take photographs of everything that you see, including vehicle damage, license plate numbers, injuries, debris and skid marks, traffic or weather conditions, and more.
- Seek medical care. It is crucial for any vehicle accident victim to seek medical care as soon as possible. Not only does this ensure the well-being of injury victims, but it also helps establish a direct link between the victim and the uninsured motorist crash.
- Review your insurance policy. You need to look at what type of insurance coverage you have opted for in Pennsylvania. Residents in the Commonwealth can choose to use the no-fault insurance system (limited tort) or a traditional type of insurance called “full tort.” For those who have no-fault insurance, they will be able to use this coverage to pay for their medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses caused by the crash, but not for pain and suffering damages unless the incident qualifies as “serious.” This could help mitigate some of the losses caused by an uninsured motorist. For those who use the full tort system, they will need to have uninsured motorist coverage if they want to receive compensation for the losses.
- Keep all documents and receipts. In the weeks and months following an accident caused by an uninsured driver in Pennsylvania, you need to keep documentation of your losses. This includes medical bills, property damage expenses, general out-of-pocket expenses, proof of lost wages, and more.
- Speak to an attorney. If you want to recover maximum compensation for your injuries, lost income, property, and other losses, you need to speak to a skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to investigate every aspect of the case and explore all avenues of compensation for the claim.