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Phantom Driver Caused Accidents

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Most people believe a hit and run driver is defined as having actually hit or collided with your vehicle. However, in Pennsylvania a vehicle does not have to touch your vehicle to be the cause of an accident. An example of a phantom driver would be someone who swerves into your lane causing you to lose control and either, go off the road, slam on your brakes and get rear-ended, or even crash into a barrier, other car, ditch, or anything in your path.

Remember, even though the vehicle is never found they are considered to be uninsured and as such you can recover money for your injuries and damages from your own Insurance Company and or the Insurance Company of the vehicle you were riding in. In addition, your insurance cannot raise the rates due to this accident unless the accident is more than 50% your fault. In order to make your claim of a phantom driver causing your accident viable you must immediately (within 24 hours or soon thereafter if 24 hours is not possible due to injuries or other extenuating circumstances) report the other car to the police and your insurance company. The insured driver must also notify their insurance company of the uninsured motorist claim within reasonable time.

There are a number of things you can do after being involved in a phantom driver caused accident to insure your uninsured motorist coverage claim is not denied.
  • At the scene of the accident be sure to ask everyone who shows up if they saw the phantom driver.
  • When the paramedics, hospital staff and/or doctors ask what happened let them know the phantom driver caused you to lose control.
  • Tell the police at the scene of the accident, and at any interviews following the accident, about the phantom driver and how it caused the accident.
  • Examine your vehicle for ANY proof of contact.
  • Contact an attorney so they can begin an investigation to prove your statement that a phantom driver caused your accident.

A car accident is traumatizing enough, fighting with your insurance company or stressing over how you’re going to pay your bills shouldn’t be your focus; your focus should be on recovering and putting your life back together.

It is of the utmost importance that you hire an attorney to handle your car accident claim; it has been proven that personal injury victims obtain far more money once they hire an attorney.

Never agree to a quick settlement. The job of an insurance adjuster is to pay you the least amount of money possible to settle your claim. There are many exceptions and technicalities to battling the Insurance Companies that if you are not aware of could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.Our car accident lawyers are experts when it comes to dealing with insurance companies and will fight aggressively on your behalf to get you or your loved one the compensation you deserve.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call or .

 

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