What Happens if You Are Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Pennsylvania?

November 21, 2025 | Car Accidents

What Happens if You Are Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Pennsylvania?

Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough, but learning that the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance can make the situation even more overwhelming. In Pennsylvania, drivers are legally required to carry minimum car insurance, but not everyone follows the rules. 

If you find yourself in this position, you may still have options for recovery—but understanding your insurance policy and your rights is essential.

Pennsylvania’s Insurance Requirements and the Uninsured Driver Problem

Every driver in Pennsylvania is legally required to carry at least the minimum auto insurance, in the amounts of: 

  • $15,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
  • $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
  • $5,000 for damage to the property of another person

Even so, many drivers skip this or let their policies lapse. That means there are accidents where the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Without their insurance, your normal path to getting compensation is blocked. 

You may have fewer options unless you or your insurance policy steps in.

What Insurance Options Do You Have After an Uninsured Driver Hits You?

Getting into an accident with an uninsured driver doesn’t leave you entirely without options. Pennsylvania drivers have access to certain types of coverage through their own insurance policies that can help cover losses.

Here’s a breakdown of how each type of insurance can help you after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver:

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Required by Pennsylvania law, PIP (also called first-party benefits) helps pay for your medical bills and a portion of lost wages, no matter who was at fault. It’s your first line of coverage after any crash.
  • Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, UM coverage can step in to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This coverage is optional, but your insurer is required to offer it to you.
  • Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: When the other driver has insurance, but their policy limits aren’t enough to fully cover your losses, UIM coverage may fill the gap between what their insurer pays and what you’re actually owed.

These coverages can provide a vital safety net. Without UM or UIM coverage, your recovery options may be limited to what PIP offers—and that likely won’t be enough in a serious crash.

Filing a Claim: What Happens When the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance

If you’re in a crash with an uninsured driver, your path to compensation typically includes one or more of the following:

  • Filing a UM claim with your insurer (if you have it)
  • Using UIM coverage if the at-fault driver has some, but inadequate, insurance
  • Suing the uninsured driver personally, which can be a dead end if they lack assets

In most cases, your insurer will pay under UM or UIM coverage and may pursue a process called subrogation to recover what they paid you from the uninsured driver. This doesn’t impact your payout, but it helps your insurer recover its losses.

Steps To Take After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

To protect your rights and improve your chances of recovering compensation, take the following steps after a crash:

  • Call the police and request an accident report.
  • Get medical attention and keep detailed records.
  • Exchange information and document the scene, including photos.
  • Notify your insurer promptly and ask for a copy of your policy.
  • Track your losses, including medical bills, missed work, and vehicle repairs.

Each of these steps will support your claim and help your attorney build a stronger case on your behalf.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer for Help

Getting hit by an uninsured driver doesn’t mean you’re out of luck—but it does mean you may need help navigating a more complex insurance process. If you’re unsure of your rights, facing resistance from your insurer, or trying to understand what coverage applies, don’t wait.

Contact a trusted Marzzacco Niven & Associates to review your case and explain your options after an accident in York, PA. We offer a free consultation with a York car accident lawyer. 

If you’ve been injured or need a lawyer to help you with your case, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Harrisburg
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

Marzzacco Niven & Associates York
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Wyomissing
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Chambersburg
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Carlisle
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Carbondale
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Lancaster
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Lebanon
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963