The law in Pennsylvania states that texting while driving is illegal. However, that does not stop many people, young or older alike from doing so. Distracted driving accidents are a growing concern in Pennsylvania.

Consider this devastating distracted driving accident that involved three cars. The first driver was on his way to class at a university. The second driver was out with her best friend looking for the best place to get a prom dress. The third driver, a younger teen was texting and driving.

The texting teen had his eyes off the road when he went through a stop sign. He slammed into the side of the second driver and her best friend, instantly killing both. The second car was then pushed into the third car that spun out of control into a light pole. The driver survived but was badly injured. The texting driver also made it out of the crash alive.

What happens next? Typically, the families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Any seriously injured victims may file a personal injury lawsuit.

The main question then becomes whose insurance will cover the costs, and what happens if one of the drivers does not have insurance?

In Pennsylvania there are six types of car insurance to be aware of. They include:

• Medical payments coverage: Often called MedPay covers medical expenses of all injured victims in your vehicle.
• Personal injury protection: Offers coverage for medical payments and lost wages.
• Liability coverage: Offers coverage for damage and injuries caused to other drivers and vehicles, plus defense fees.
• Uninsured/underinsured driver coverage: Covers accidents with an underinsured or uninsured driver.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers non-collision damages like theft.
• Collision coverage: Covers collision related damages to your vehicle regardless of who was at-fault for the accident.

Pennsylvania mandates that all motorists have three types of insurance. That said, there are those that opt to have no insurance. The minimum requirements for Pennsylvania vehicle insurance are: $5,000 for property damage liability; $5,000 for medical benefits and, $15,000-$30,000 in bodily injury liability.

In the accident outlined above, is the young teen driver's insurance going to be able to cover the costs involved in this horrific collision? The answer is likely to be no. This is where an experienced Erie personal injury, distracted driving lawyer needs to be consulted. A case like this is far too complicated for grieving families to be able to handle alone.

At Melaragno, Placidi & Parini we understand the devastating loss faced when a loved one has been killed in a car accident because of the negligence of a distracted driver. We are here to help you through the legal maze to obtain compensation for either a wrongful death or serious injuries.

Melaragno, Placidi & Parini has decades of experience dealing with distracted driving accidents and know precisely what to do to obtain fair compensation for your losses. Call us today. We are here to listen to your story and help you navigate the legal process.