THE PHANTOM, UNIDENTIFIED OR HIT AND RUN DRIVER

One client was riding her motorcycle on a Nevada road when she ran over an object that had been previously dropped from an unsecured load from an unidentified vehicle. She was seriously injured and life-flighted to a trauma center hospital.

Another client was injured when forced off of the roadway and into a tree by a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road. The negligent driver never stopped and could not be identified.

A third client was injured by a person who failed to pay their automobile insurance premium and was driving without any automobile insurance.

It was fortunate that each of the three client’s automobile insurance policy included uninsured motorist coverage. When injured by a phantom, unidentified or hit and run driver, it is very important to comply with the following rules.

If you are the victim of a hit and run driver or an unidentified driver who forces you to take evasive action and injure yourself or others, you must report this incident to the police department and to your own insurance company within thirty (30) days or you will lose your rights.  Check your insurance policy immediately.  One major insurer requires that you must give the insurance company a sworn statement within 30 days.  This sworn statement must state that the insured has a legal action due to the accident.  It must also include facts to support the action.  Source: 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1702. Definition of uninsured motor vehicle (3).

It is also important to buy as much uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as you can afford. Often an insurance agent will give you a form to reduce this coverage to “save you money.”  Never reduce this coverage.  Purchase stacking to double or triple your coverage.  This insurance coverage protects you and your family.  The phantom, unidentified or hit and run driver did not care about you or your family.