You're driving for work when another driver runs a red light and slams into you. Then you find out the worst part: they have no insurance. Or their coverage is only $15,000 - nowhere near enough to cover your injuries.
This is a nightmare scenario, but it's more common than you'd think. About 7% of Pennsylvania drivers are uninsured, and many more are underinsured.
Here's the good news: as a worker injured in a car accident, you likely have MORE options than you realize.
Your First Line of Defense: Workers' Compensation
When you're injured in a car accident while working, workers' compensation kicks in regardless of who was at fault - and regardless of whether the other driver has insurance.
Workers' compensation provides:
- All reasonable medical treatment related to your injury
- Wage loss benefits (about 2/3 of your average weekly wage)
- Specific loss benefits for permanent injuries
- Death benefits for surviving family members
This is your safety net - and it doesn't depend on the other driver having a dime of insurance.
Your Second Line of Defense: UM/UIM Coverage
Pennsylvania requires all auto insurance policies to offer Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage applies when:
- The at-fault driver has no insurance at all (UM)
- The at-fault driver's insurance isn't enough to cover your damages (UIM)
Where Does UM/UIM Coverage Come From?
When you're in a work vehicle accident, UM/UIM coverage could potentially come from:
- Your employer's commercial auto policy (if you were in a company vehicle)
- Your personal auto insurance (may apply even if you weren't driving your own car)
- Your household member's auto policy (coverage sometimes "stacks")
How Workers' Comp and UM/UIM Work Together
Here's where it gets interesting. You can potentially recover from BOTH:
- Workers' comp for your medical bills and wage loss
- UM/UIM for pain and suffering, and damages workers' comp doesn't cover
However, there are complex rules about "subrogation" - basically, workers' comp may be entitled to get paid back from some of your UM/UIM recovery. This needs to be handled carefully to maximize what you actually keep.
Our "Two Specialists" Approach
This is exactly the kind of case where having the right team matters. We handle the workers' comp claim, and our Personal Injury colleagues handle the UM/UIM claim. Two specialists who know their areas of law, working together to maximize your total recovery.
Benefits of this approach:
- You get experts in each area of law
- We coordinate to avoid conflicts between claims
- We minimize what workers' comp can take from your personal injury recovery
- You end up with more money in your pocket
Hit By an Uninsured Driver While Working?
Don't assume you're out of luck. Call us to learn about all your recovery options.
(215) 206-9068 - Free ConsultationWhat If I Was Using My Own Car for Work?
Many workers use their personal vehicles for work - sales reps, home health aides, delivery drivers using their own cars. In these cases:
- Workers' comp should still cover you (the injury happened while working)
- Your personal UM/UIM coverage definitely applies
- You may have more coverage available than you think
What Should I Do Right Now?
- Get medical treatment and document all your injuries
- Report the accident to your employer - this is a work injury
- File a police report documenting that the other driver was uninsured
- Gather insurance information - your employer's commercial policy, your personal auto policy
- Call us - we can help you navigate all the potential sources of recovery
Don't let the fact that the other driver was uninsured make you think you have no options. Between workers' comp and UM/UIM coverage, you may be able to get significant compensation for your injuries.