Information About Virginia Auto Insurance And Car Accidents
In the state of Virginia, auto insurance and how that auto insurance comes into play when a car crash happens works a little differently than in other states. At Bowen Ten Long & Bal, PC, our personal injury attorneys know the many details of the car insurance laws because we have handled multiple motor vehicle accident cases involving the various types of auto insurance or lack thereof. At our firm, we help clients in the Richmond area and throughout Virginia who have suffered injuries due to serious car wrecks and accidents.
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
On this page, our lawyers have provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about how insurance, or the lack of insurance, works when a car accident happens. It is important to know and understand the consequences of getting into a car crash with a driver who is not insured or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses.
In Virginia, why doesn’t everyone have car insurance?
Unlike most other states, Virginia law does not require motorists to buy auto insurance. The law requires that you either maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage and provide proof of that coverage when you renew your vehicle’s registration or pay an extensive uninsured motorist vehicle fee every time you renew your vehicle’s car tabs. In other words, in Virginia, it’s legal to drive a car without having automobile insurance, as long as the car’s owner paid the uninsured motor vehicle fee.
If a car owner doesn’t have auto insurance, who is responsible in a car accident?
Car owners in Virginia are not required to have auto insurance. However, they must pay a $500 fee in addition to the normal registration renewal fees in order to forgo buying car insurance. If they cause a car accident, however, they are still responsible for damages caused by that accident. And, they won’t have any of their own insurance to help cover the costs.
What happens if I am in an accident with someone who is underinsured or uninsured?
Did your insurance carrier offer you uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage? These UM/UIM policies can cover your losses if you are involved in a car accident with a driver who does not have insurance or whose policy does not cover everything. If you do not have UM/UIM coverage in your personal car insurance policy, you may be liable for your own medical expenses, autobody repairs and other damages.
What is Medical Payments Coverage and how does it work?
Medical Payments Coverage, also known as Med-Pay, is a type of insurance policy that can cover your medical bills or any bills paid by your health insurance provider, immediately after you’ve been in an accident. This applies even if you are at fault for the accident, and it covers anyone who was in your car during the accident. It also covers you if you were in someone else’s car during an accident. Typically, Med-Pay is usually only a few extra dollars a month on top of your auto insurance rates and can really help if you end up in a car wreck.
We Can Help Accident Victims Deal With Insurance Companies
If you have been involved in a car crash, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer at Bowen Ten Long & Bal, PC, for a free consultation. Insurance companies try to settle cases quickly and for much less than accident victims deserve. We will explain what you are entitled to and will help guide you through the claims process, no matter what level of insurance coverage you have. In some cases, you may be able to obtain compensation without having to go to court.
To schedule your initial consultation, call us at 804-767-6850 or send us an email. Do you live outside of Richmond? No worries. We can meet with you remotely.