You’re driving through Scranton on your way home when another driver suddenly crashes into you. After the accident, you learn something unexpected and deeply frustrating: the at-fault driver either has no insurance at all or does not carry enough coverage to pay for your injuries.
Many people assume that every driver on Pennsylvania roads carries adequate insurance. Unfortunately, that is not always true. Even when the other driver clearly caused the accident, recovering the compensation you deserve can become much more complicated when insurance coverage is missing or insufficient.
At The Slocum Firm, our Scranton uninsured motorist accident lawyers help injured people understand their rights and identify every possible source of compensation after serious crashes. Whether the collision happened on Interstate 81, near downtown Scranton, or along Route 6, our attorneys can help you navigate the insurance process and protect your financial future.
Call (570) 209-7376 to speak directly with our attorneys. We are available 24/7, and you will never pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why You Should Choose The Slocum Firm for Your Scranton Uninsured Motorist Claim
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can add more complications to typical car accident cases. You might assume that since you are dealing with your own insurance company, things might be easier. However, even though the claim is through your own auto policy, your insurance company may still try to reduce or deny your payment.
At The Slocum Firm, we understand how Pennsylvania insurance laws work and how insurance companies evaluate these claims. We know how to investigate coverage issues, identify additional sources of compensation, and build strong cases supported by medical and financial evidence.
Clients throughout Pennsylvania choose our team because we offer:
- More than 50 years of combined legal experience helping injured accident victims
- Over a 95% recovery rate for injury claims
- A successful track record of recovering millions of dollars in compensation
- Attorney availability 24/7 for updates and questions
- Direct access to our attorneys by phone or text
- No upfront legal fees or hourly billing
We understand how stressful it can feel to discover the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage. Our goal is to help you understand your options and fight to uncover every available source of payment possible.
What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law allows drivers to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage as part of their own auto insurance policy. These coverages are designed to protect you when:
- The at-fault driver has no insurance at all (uninsured coverage)
- The at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your losses (underinsured coverage)
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | Underinsured Motorist (UIM) |
| Applies when the at-fault driver has NO insurance | Applies when the at-fault driver’s insurance is NOT enough |
| Often used in hit-and-run crashes | Often applies after serious injury crashes |
| Claim is made through your own policy | Claim is made through your own policy |
| Helps cover unpaid losses | Helps bridge the gap after liability limits are exhausted |
| Common when drivers illegally lack insurance | Common when drivers carry only minimum coverage |
Although these additional policies come with premium costs, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can be among the most important financial protections available after a serious accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the driver who caused the accident has no active insurance policy. Lack of insurance may happen if:
- The driver allowed their coverage to lapse
- The driver never carried insurance
- The accident involved a hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified
Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but the policy limits are too low to fully compensate you for your injuries and losses. For example, a driver may only carry Pennsylvania’s minimum liability coverage, which may be far too small to cover catastrophic injuries involving surgery, permanent disability, or long-term care.
To learn more about minimum insurance requirements in our state, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department provides consumer information regarding auto insurance requirements and coverage options.
Why Are Uninsured Motorist Claims So Common?
According to the Insurance Research Council, uninsured driving remains a significant issue nationwide. Many people are surprised to learn how often serious accidents involve uninsured or underinsured drivers. Some drivers carry only the minimum liability insurance required under Pennsylvania law:
- $15,000 for injury to one person
- $30,000 total per accident
- $5,000 for property damage
In a serious crash, those limits may be exhausted almost immediately by emergency medical treatment alone.
Other drivers simply ignore insurance requirements entirely and drive in violation of the law. Either way, if you are hit by someone with insufficient insurance coverage, you need to understand your options.
How Does an Uninsured Motorist Claim Work?
One of the biggest misconceptions about UM and UIM claims is that they are filed against the at-fault driver alone. In reality, these claims are often made through your own insurance company.
The response from your insurer can be confusing for many injured people. After years of paying premiums, policyholders are often surprised to discover their own insurer may dispute the value of the claim or challenge the seriousness of their injuries.
What Must Be Proven in a Pennsylvania Uninsured Claim?
Even though the claim involves your own policy, you still generally must prove:
- The other driver was negligent and caused the accident
- You suffered injuries
- Your legal damages (losses) exceed available coverage
Insurance companies may still investigate who was at fault, review your medical records, and dispute the amount of compensation you have requested. We are here to push back against unfair denials or reductions and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Do You Have a UM or UIM Motorist Claim?
You may have a valid uninsured or underinsured motorist claim if:
- The at-fault driver had no insurance
- The at-fault driver carried insufficient coverage
- You suffered injuries requiring medical treatment
- Your damages exceed the available liability coverage
- A hit-and-run driver caused the collision
Many people do not even realize they have UM or UIM coverage until after an accident. We can review the details of your policy to evaluate all of your legal options.
What Compensation Is Available Through UM and UIM Coverage?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims may provide compensation for many of the same losses available in a standard injury claim. Depending on the facts of your situation, we may request compensation for the following categories of legal damages:
Medical Expenses
This may include emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, physical therapy, and all anticipated future medical care related to the accident.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Ability
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover compensation for lost wages and future income limitations caused by the crash.
Pain and Suffering
Pennsylvania UM and UIM coverage may also include compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Long-Term Financial Impact
Serious accidents often result in more than just immediate medical bills. Ongoing disability, chronic pain, and future care needs may significantly increase the overall value of a claim.
What Is Stacking Under Pennsylvania Insurance Law?
Pennsylvania allows many drivers to “stack” uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Stacking means coverage limits may be combined across multiple vehicles on the same policy, potentially increasing the compensation available after a serious accident.
For example, if a household carries $100,000 in UIM coverage per vehicle for three insured vehicles, the available coverage could potentially increase to $300,000 through stacking. However, insurance companies sometimes require policyholders to sign stacking waivers that limit these rights.
Whether you can stack coverage depends heavily on your policy’s language and the specific facts of your case. Our uninsured car accident lawyers can review your policy and fight for your rights against your own insurance carrier if you need to pursue UM or UIM coverage for your losses.
How Does Insurance Coverage Work in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Hit-and-run crashes are often handled through uninsured motorist coverage because the at-fault driver cannot be identified. These cases may involve additional challenges due to limited evidence regarding the collision itself.
Important evidence in hit-and-run claims may include:
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle debris
- Police reports
- Accident reconstruction evidence
Prompt reporting and investigation are especially important in these cases.
Why Do Insurance Companies Dispute UM and UIM Claims?
Many injured people assume their insurance company will automatically handle their claim fairly because they are the policyholder. Unfortunately, insurers may still attempt to reduce payouts by:
- Disputing related medical treatment
- Arguing that injuries are not serious
- Claiming pre-existing conditions caused symptoms
- Challenging future damages
- Disputing the other driver’s liability or fault
Even though the claim involves your own policy, the insurance company still has a financial interest in minimizing what it pays. We fight back when our clients’ claims are unfairly denied or reduced using facts, evidence, and solid legal arguments.
What Is the Difference Between Limited Tort and Full Tort?
Pennsylvania’s tort election system can also affect uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. Auto insurance companies must offer drivers two alternatives: full tort and limited tort.
Under the limited tort option, the policyholder can recover out-of-pocket medical and other expenses from a driver who causes an accident, but cannot recover non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, unless certain exceptions apply.
To restore full tort rights, the claim must include one of these exceptions:
- Serious injury qualification
- Crashes involving out-of-state vehicles
- Certain commercial vehicle accidents
- DUI-related crashes in some situations
Understanding how these rules interact with UM and UIM claims can become extremely important when evaluating compensation. We can explain how these complex insurance laws may impact your claim during a free initial consultation.
How Our Team Helps After an Uninsured Motorist Accident
Uninsured motorist claims often require a detailed investigation into accident evidence, insurance policies, coverage limits, and a calculation of all future damages. We help our clients by:
- Reviewing insurance policies and coverage language
- Investigating all available sources of compensation
- Identifying stacking opportunities
- Gathering medical and financial evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Preparing claims for arbitration or litigation when necessary
Throughout the process, you work directly with our attorneys, and we are available to answer your questions anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uninsured Motorist Accident Claims in Scranton
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage, but drivers may reject it in writing.
What is the difference between UM and UIM coverage?
UM coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. UIM coverage applies when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are too low to fully cover your losses.
Can I recover compensation for future medical care?
Yes. Serious injuries may require long-term treatment, rehabilitation, or ongoing medical support, which can be included in a claim.
Are UM and UIM claims resolved through lawsuits?
Some claims can be resolved through settlement negotiations, while others may proceed through arbitration or litigation, depending on the policy terms and disputes involved.
How long do I have to file a UM or UIM claim?
Deadlines vary depending on both Pennsylvania law and the insurance policy language. Prompt review of the policy is important to protect your rights and avoid missing deadlines.
What if I do not know whether I purchased UM or UIM coverage?
Many people are unsure what coverage they selected when they purchased insurance. Our team can review your policy and help determine what protections may apply.
Can I use UM coverage if the accident was a hit-and-run?
Yes, in many situations. Hit-and-run accidents are commonly treated as uninsured motorist claims when the responsible driver cannot be identified.
What if multiple insurance policies may apply?
In some cases, multiple policies or stacked coverage may increase the compensation available. These situations require careful policy review and legal analysis.
Will filing a UM or UIM claim increase my insurance rates?
Insurance consequences vary depending on the circumstances and insurer policies. However, protecting your health and financial stability after a serious accident is often far more important than concerns about future premiums.
Contact Our Scranton Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers Today
Discovering that the driver who caused your accident has no insurance—or not enough insurance—can leave you feeling frustrated and uncertain about your future. You should not have to face mounting medical bills and financial pressure without understanding all of your legal options.
Call The Slocum Firm today to speak directly with our Scranton uninsured motorist accident lawyers. We are available 24/7, and you will never pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Since 2009, our attorneys have helped injured people throughout Pennsylvania recover millions of dollars while maintaining a 95% recovery rate. When you contact our team, you will speak directly with an attorney who can explain your rights, review your insurance coverage, and help you understand your next steps.
If you were injured in Scranton or anywhere in Pennsylvania by an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact The Slocum Firm today at (570) 209-7376 for a free consultation.
