Usually you have 2 years to sue the at-fault driver in Pennsylvania, but you can lose UM/UIM benefits much sooner if you miss your own policy's notice rules.

The follow-up question you should ask right now is: Did I preserve my claim with my own insurer?

In Pennsylvania, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage come from your own auto policy under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. Those claims often require notice promptly, as soon as practicable, or by a specific deadline in the policy. Waiting until the other driver's low limits are formally disclosed can still create a fight if you never gave early notice.

If this was a Harrisburg hit-and-run and you never got the plate, you should also be asking whether you made the reports your insurer will expect. After an injury crash, call police right away. In Harrisburg that may mean Harrisburg Bureau of Police or Pennsylvania State Police depending on where it happened. If police did not investigate, Pennsylvania drivers may need to file a crash report with PennDOT within 5 days.

That matters in spring pothole season, when drivers on deteriorated roads swerve and cause chain crashes. The same insurance issues come up after a no-plate impact on I-83, or in larger pileups caused by black ice on I-80 in Clearfield or Centre County.

Do these now:

• Open a UM/UIM claim with your insurer today
• Ask for the policy's exact notice, proof of claim, and consent-to-settle requirements
• Get the crash report number
• Preserve photos, names of witnesses, and all medical records

If you are undocumented, your immigration status does not erase UM/UIM coverage under a Pennsylvania policy. The immediate risk is usually missing insurance deadlines, not losing the claim because you reported the crash.