Pittsburgh Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist Lawyer

Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

When you are involved in a vehicle crash, you expect insurance to protect you, but there are some cases where the other driver doesn’t have insurance. There are also cases where a driver is insured, but the insurance isn’t enough to get you back on your feet. When this happens, it is important that you work with a Pittsburgh uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) lawyer to review your own insurance policy and civil claim avenues for financial recovery.

When you drive, you know there is always a risk and potential for an accident to happen. Other motorists aren’t always as focused as you are. The weather may cause hazardous conditions. Inexperienced drivers might be distracted by their navigation systems. Accidents can cause many different injuries and other damages. It is crucial that you review your options for financial recovery after an accident.

Ainsman Levine, LLC: Dedicated to Your Best Interests

The attorneys of Ainsman Levine, LLC, have the experience and skill to assist individuals with underinsured and uninsured motor vehicle accident claims. Our team has over 25 years of experience and has secured successful outcomes like a $2.5 million result for a personal injury claim. Our lawyers take time to investigate your case, advise you of your options, and help you seek the most favorable resolution possible.

Our case results don’t guarantee a successful outcome for your unique case, but show how our personalized and detail-oriented legal representation helps our clients. We listen to your needs after a sudden and stressful car accident, offering support and personalized strategies. When a driver isn’t insured, we help you determine your options for financial recovery.

Understanding Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Pittsburgh

Alleghany County had the most reported car crashes in the state in 2024, despite being the second-most populous county. There were 10,214 crashes in the county.

If you have been injured in a car crash, you face possible financial, emotional and certainly physical hardships as you recover. We will help you explore your options for compensation if you have been injured by:

• An Underinsured Motorist: If the other driver’s insurance does not fully cover the damages, we can help you use underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is meant to supplement what the other party’s insurance does not cover.
• An Uninsured Motorist: If the other driver does not have insurance coverage, or you are in an accident with a driver who flees the scene, we can help you seek compensation by using the uninsured motorist coverage in your personal insurance plan.

In 2023, Pennsylvania had an uninsured driver rate of 11.0%, lower than the national rate of 15.4%. However, that year the state had 9.1 million licensed drivers, meaning there were approximately 1 million uninsured drivers.

Many people believe that if the other driver does not have insurance, you do not have a claim. This is not the case. You can recover damages through your own policy under Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance coverage laws, and can recover damages from UIM and UM policies if your remaining damages are unable to be covered by the other driver’s insurance.

Even when you are filing with your own insurance company, the support of an attorney is important. Your own insurance company may try to lowball you or undermine your coverage. An attorney helps you protect your rights and interests by assessing what damages you suffered and what compensation you are owed through your policies. You can seek compensation for your injuries, and an attorney can make this process easier.

Why Should You Hire an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Lawyer?

You should hire a lawyer for your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim because it is likely to improve your case’s success and improve the compensation you can recover in the claim. An attorney understands the tactics used by insurance companies to undermine legitimate claims, including downplaying your injuries. Your insurance company primarily protects its own bottom line, and you need an attorney to protect your own financial interests.

An attorney also helps with the complicated uninsured or underinsured motorist laws in Pennsylvania. These laws interact with the state’s no-fault laws and the optional fault-based full tort coverage available to drivers. An attorney handles this for you, making it easier for you to rest.

What Is Stacking UM or UIM Coverage?

Auto insurance coverage for UM and UIM can be stacked or unstacked. Coverage automatically is stacked, and you only get unstacked coverage if you reject stacked coverage. Stacked coverage tends to have higher premiums, but offers several benefits after an accident, especially with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

When this coverage is stacked, it means that the limit of your insurance coverage for each singular vehicle on your policy is multiplied by the total number of vehicles on your policy.

If you have unstacked UM or UIM coverage valued at $100,000, then that is the most you can recover in damages. This is the case even if you have multiple vehicles covered by the policy. If you have stacked UM or UIM coverage of the same value, and you have two covered vehicles, you could recover up to $200,000 in damages through this policy. Stacked coverage also stacks across multiple policies in some cases.

Drivers can benefit from greater financial certainty in the event of an accident with stacked coverage. This extra coverage is especially important when another driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance, meaning there is no way to recover your excessive damages from their insurer.

FAQs

Q: What Happens if an Uninsured Driver is at Fault for the Accident in Pennsylvania?

A: Pennsylvania is a no-fault state for car accidents, so even if an at-fault driver is uninsured, you would still usually recover compensation through your own insurance policy. However, in cases when your injuries are severe or the damages exceed your own insurance coverage, you could hold the at-fault driver liable. When they don’t have insurance, you could hold them liable in civil court or get compensation from your own uninsured motorist policy.

Q: Does My Choice Between “Full Tort” and “Limited Tort” on My Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Policy Affect My Ability to File a Successful Uninsured Motorist Claim?

A: No, your choice between full tort and limited tort for your auto insurance in Pennsylvania does not affect your ability to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance.

However, it could potentially limit how much you can recover from the at-fault party themselves. Limited tort coverage can have limits on the compensation you can recover, although these limits may not apply when a claim is against an uninsured motorist. An attorney can help assess these specifics.

Q: Can I Still Use My Uninsured Motorist Coverage if I Am the Victim of a Hit-and-Run Accident and the At-Fault Driver Is Never Identified?

A: Yes, you can use your uninsured motorist coverage if you were the victim of a hit-and-run accident, even if the driver is never identified. This is a common use of uninsured motorist coverage, as it provides additional damages that your main policy could not cover. These damages could usually be recovered from a claim against the at-fault party, but cannot be if the driver isn’t identified.

Q: Why Do I Need a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a UM/UIM Claim if I Am Just Seeking Compensation From My Own Insurance Company?

A: It’s important to work with a Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer for a UM/UIM claim, even though it is with your own insurance, because an attorney protects your rights and financial interests. Your insurance company prioritizes its bottom line, not your interests.

When you hire an uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyer, you have someone protecting your interests. They negotiate with your insurance company. If your insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, your attorney can file a civil claim.

Pittsburgh Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Attorney: Guiding You With Detail

Uninsured and underinsured coverage is complex, and pursuing these claims can be complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone. Before speaking or settling with your insurance company, contact us to see how we can help you get the most out of your claim and how we are committed to securing the full coverage you purchased through your insurance company. Consultations for personal injury cases are free.

Our offices are off the Parkway next to the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. If your injuries restrict travel, we will arrange an in home or hospital visit for clients throughout western and central Pennsylvania.