King of Prussia, Pennsylvania Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Attorney

Experienced UM/UIM Claims Lawyer Based in King of Prussia

Payment after a car accident is usually handled through insurance claims, awarding compensation based on the insured driver's coverage. But what happens if the other driver does not have the requisite coverage to pay for your damages—or in some cases, no coverage at all? If you need help filing a claim when the other driver lacks proper coverage, get in contact with a King of Prussia, PA uninsured and underinsured motorist claims lawyer.

At Neuwirth Law Office, LLC, we understand how urgent your need for payment may be after a crash. Attorney Andrew Neuwirth has decades of legal experience, so you can rely on him as a trusted source of counsel and advice in an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim.

Is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage Required in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, but insurance companies are required to offer it as part of an auto policy. If a driver wants to decline this coverage, they typically must do so in writing, and the insurer must keep a record of that rejection. Many drivers are not aware of this requirement, and some end up without UM or UIM protection simply because they never saw or understood the rejection form they signed.

Carrying UM and UIM coverage can make a significant difference if you are ever hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages. Without this coverage, you may be left paying for medical bills and other losses out of pocket, even when the crash was entirely the other driver's fault. This rule is worth verifying against your specific policy and the current statute, since coverage details can vary between insurers.

Filing Uninsured Motorist (UM) Claims

A UM claim applies when the driver who caused your accident has no insurance at all, or when the at-fault driver cannot be identified, such as in a hit-and-run accident. To file a UM claim, you generally need to notify your own insurance company promptly after the crash and provide documentation showing that the other driver was uninsured or unidentifiable at the time of the collision.

Your insurer will investigate the claim much like it would investigate a claim against another driver, reviewing police reports, medical records, and other evidence to determine the value of your damages. Insurance companies handling UM claims are still businesses looking to limit payouts, even when the claim is against your own policy, so it helps to have a lawyer review your coverage and negotiate on your behalf.

Filing Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Claims

A UIM claim comes into play when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are not enough to cover the full extent of your damages. For example, if your medical bills and other losses exceed the at-fault driver's coverage limit, you may be able to file a UIM claim with your own insurer to recover the difference between what was paid and what you actually lost.

Before filing a UIM claim, you typically need to resolve your claim against the at-fault driver's insurance first, since UIM coverage is meant to fill the gap left after that policy is exhausted. Your own insurance company must approve this process in most cases, and some policies require formal notice before you settle with the other driver's insurer. Missing one of these steps can jeopardize your right to recover under your own policy. An attorney can help make sure you follow the correct steps so you do not lose your right to pursue a UIM claim.

Contact a King of Prussia Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Lawyer Today

Sorting out UM and UIM coverage on your own can be confusing, especially while you are also recovering from a crash. Contact our King of Prussia, PA uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage lawyer or call 215-259-3687 for a free consultation.