All drivers in Pennsylvania are required to carry car insurance. However, even if you’re not driving at the time of your accident—but still carry insurance—it’s likely that your car insurance will still pay for your injuries and medical expenses. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance and compensation after a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania.
First Party Benefits Coverage
All Pennsylvania drivers are required to carry some first party benefits coverage; either combined first party benefits or medical first party benefits. First party benefits refer to benefits that cover you, the policyholder and your passengers.
The minimum amount first party benefits that you’re required to carry is $5,000, and the coverage applies anytime you’re hurt in an accident, even if you were walking or biking at the time of collision.
If you purchase first party benefits beyond the basic required amount—like extraordinary medical benefits coverage—your coverage amount can be as much as up to $1,000,000. Access to more compensation is extremely beneficial when your injuries are severe.
What will my insurance pay?
Your first party benefits coverage should pay for all of your medical expenses, up to your policy amount, in the event of an accident. These benefits will also typically (but not always, depending upon your policy), pay for the following.
- Funeral expenses
- Medical services
- Your hospital stay
- Lost income
Other Compensation Options
Also to your insurance policy, the insurance of the driver who hit you may also help to pay for damages. Drivers are required to carry $15,000 in liability insurance per person, and $30,000 per accident, to help pay for damages caused to others, including pedestrians. But what if the driver who hit you is uninsured or underinsured? In this case, if you opted to purchase UM/UIM coverage through your own auto insurance then your bills will be paid through that.
What’s more, pedestrians in Pennsylvania are automatically considered full tort. Full tort means that you also have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, which can help you to recover your total damages amount
Learn More About Your Rights after a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian accident where you’re the victim can be terrifying. Cordisco & Saile LLC can help victims in the following situations.
You have questions about what your insurance company owes you How to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company Whether or not filing a personal injury lawsuit is within your best interest
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, a pedestrian accident attorney is ready to meet with you today. For a free case consultation, contact our office now at 215-642-2335.
