Each year, around 750,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S., and in some of these cases, the driver of the stolen vehicle crashes and injures someone. So what happens then? Can the victim get compensation if the at-fault driver stole the vehicle?
Woman Injured by Stolen Hit and Run Vehicle
Police are searching for the driver of a stolen SUV who hit a pedestrian and then fled the scene. The accident happened in North Philadelphia Friday, April 17, 2020, around 10:30 p.m. when the woman attempted to cross the street at 17th and Diamond streets. Police say that the stolen SUV hit another car which in turn hit her.
She was taken to Temple Univerity Hosptial, and her condition is unknown at this time. Police are hoping that anyone who has information about the incident will contact them.
Liability Insurance:
Every state requires liability insurance for anyone driving a motor vehicle. This is to cover each driver if they get into an accident and hurt someone else. However, by law, this doesn’t cover a vehicle that is stolen that injures someone.
Why? Because it makes no sense to inure someone’s illegal activities. This law might affect you if you get hit by a stolen vehicle. The law prohibits coverage for any injuries that were caused by a driver who was stealing a vehicle at the time of the accident.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured by a Stolen Vehicle?
The best thing to do is to not make any assumptions about what coverage you may or may not have. You need to contact an attorney immediately to go over your options. In many states, there is a timeframe to give your insurance company notice that you will be using your UM/UIM coverage.
If that deadline is missed, you might end up not getting any compensation. So don’t wait, and don’t assume that you will be taken care of by an insurance agent, even if they are your agent.
Contact a Philadelphia Auto Accident Attorney
After any accident involving a serious injury, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Auto Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.