Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer Warns that Higher Unemployment Could Mean Fewer Insured Drivers

Scranton, PA, August 18, 2012 — An uptick in the number of people in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre who are out of work could heighten the risk for those behind the wheel, says Pennsylvania car accident attorney Caroline Munley.

This summer, the unemployment rate for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area broke the nine percent mark for the first time since September 2011, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. That was a full percentage point above the national average and two points above the rate for Pennsylvania as a whole.

“Unfortunately, when people lose their jobs, one thing they may do to cut costs is to cancel or reduce their car insurance,” said Munley, managing partner of the nationally recognized Pennsylvania personal injury firm of Munley Law, which has its headquarters in Scranton and offices across the state.

The law firm represents car accident victims in Pennsylvania and across the Northeast in matters that often involve car insurance issues.

“This is why it is important for drivers to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, or UM / UIM coverage. This can protect them if they are in an accident caused by someone without insurance or without sufficient limits to cover the loss,” Munley said.

The correlation between unemployment and uninsured drivers is shown by industry research. One study from the nonprofit Insurance Research Council, as reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, found that for every one percent hike in the unemployment rate, the number of uninsured drivers rises three-quarters of a percent.

In Pennsylvania, drivers are not required to carry uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) on their auto policies. But if a driver does not have such coverage and is involved in a wreck caused by someone without insurance, the financial impact can be devastating, Munley said.

One smart solution, according to Munley: Drivers should review their auto policy and make sure they are adequately protected – especially through UM/UIM coverage. If the driver has been involved in an accident, an attorney can review their coverage for them.

“Auto insurance issues can be complex,” said Munley, whose firm handles a wide range of motor vehicle injury and wrongful death cases. “This is particularly true with respect to UM/UIM issues. At Munley Law, we are available to help people understand their auto policies and learn about their legal rights and options in the event something unfortunate has occurred.”

About Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Munley Law is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm’s additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents. To contact the law firm, use the firm’s online contact form.