Richmond Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Uninsured motorist coverage is a form of auto insurance coverage that protects you in the event of a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. It will provide compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage caused by the uninsured motorist. 

If you choose to carry this coverage:

As of January 1, 2022, any insurance policy issued in Virginia will be required to have limits of $30,000 to cover any one person injured in an accident.  The law also requires the policy to cover up to $100,000 for all individuals injured in an accident.

These limits will increase on January 1, 2025.  The recent change in the law requires that any policy issued after January 1, 2025 must have limits of $50,000 to cover any one person injured in an accident, and up to $60,000 for all individuals injured in an accident.

Although it is not mandatory to purchase uninsured motorist insurance in Virginia, and you can opt out by paying the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles a fee.  However, it’s important to consider the benefits this type of coverage can provide. Without uninsured motorist coverage, you may not be able to receive adequate compensation for your damages if you’re involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver.

Why Do Motorists Drive Without Insurance In Richmond, Virginia?

Probably the biggest reason uninsured drivers are so common in Virginia simply has to do with the cost of car insurance. The average annual cost for car insurance in Virginia is $1,304 This is less than the national average of $1,674, but it’s still too much for many motorists. Many drivers are unable to afford even minimum coverage, which averages about $441 per year.

5 Reasons to Carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Carrying this coverage provides you with ample benefits, including:

1.) Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage Assists When the Other Driver Lacks Insurance: 

If you find yourself in a collision with an uninsured driver and have expended your Medical Payments insurance, you can rely on your UM policy for further coverage. While it might not account for all your expenses, your UM policy can alleviate some of your financial burdens and mitigate out-of-pocket costs.

2.) Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage Steps Up when the Other Driver is Under-Insured: 

Some drivers may only obtain the bare minimum of insurance required by Virginia law, which is often insufficient to cover accident-related damages. For instance, the minimum amount of Bodily Injury (BI) Liability coverage in Virginia is $30,000 and $60,000 for two or more people. However, medical bills alone can easily exceed that amount.

UIM insurance will help bridge the gap between what you receive from the other driver’s policy and your total damages. 

3.) Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) Coverage Shields You from Financial Hardship: 

UM/UIM coverage is crucial in shielding you from economic strain following a car accident. If you’re involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you could be facing substantial medical bills, lost income, and other costs. Having UM/UIM coverage in place is a prudent move to protect your financial well-being.

4.) UM/UIM coverage pays for:

Any damages you would normally be entitled to against a liability policy – medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.

5.) UIM/UM Coverage Secures Compensation in Hit-and-Run Car Accidents and Accidents Where The Other Driver is Unknown:

In the event of hit-and-run incidents, identifying the culprit may be challenging. If the driver isn’t identified, you won’t have an insurance company to lodge a claim with and might have to bear the costs of damage yourself. This is where uninsured motorist coverage comes to the rescue. Even if the guilty party remains unidentified, your own insurance company may still compensate you through your UM coverage up to your policy limit.  You are allowed to bring a claim against “John Doe,” and your uninsured motorist coverage will cover any settlement or judgment against this claim.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover?

Uninsured motorist coverage can provide a valuable financial lifeline in the event of a car accident with an uninsured driver or one whose insurance coverage is insufficient. While it’s not mandatory to purchase UM/UIM coverage, having this type of protection can ensure you’re financially secure in the face of a devastating crash. 

How Our Richmond Uninsured Motorist Attorneys Can Help

Our team of Richmond car accident attorneys are committed to helping victims of uninsured motorist accidents in Richmond. Here’s how we can assist you:

Case Evaluation:

We will thoroughly evaluate your case and determine the best course of legal action.

Investigation:

Our team will conduct an exhaustive investigation to gather all necessary evidence to support your claim.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies:

A car accident attorney will negotiate aggressively with your insurance company to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Litigation:

If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for your rights.

Counsel and Support:

Throughout the legal process, we provide continuous support and advice to our clients. 

No one should have to bear the burden of an accident caused by an uninsured motorist alone. Reach out to us for the legal assistance you need.

What are the Legal Consequences for Uninsured Motorists?

In Virginia, operating a vehicle without insurance can lead to serious legal consequences. The state mandates that all motor vehicle owners carry a minimum level of insurance coverage. Failure to adhere to these laws can result in significant penalties.

First-time offenders may face a $500 uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee, suspension of driving privileges, and a three-month mandatory insurance policy. Subsequent offenses can lead to harsher penalties, including higher UMV fees, longer suspension periods, and even jail time. 

In addition to these penalties, uninsured motorists who cause accidents are financially responsible for any property damage or bodily injuries that result. This can lead to overwhelming debt, especially in cases of serious accidents involving substantial medical bills and property repair costs.

Example Highlighting the Consequences for Not Having UM/UIM Coverage

Suppose you were struck by an uninsured driver and incurred $20,000 in medical bills.  Because the other driver was uninsured, you cannot make a claim against any liability insurance company.  You would have to rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage.  If you opted out of uninsured motorist coverage, then you would recover nothing (unless the other drive had assets to satisfy a judgment, but this is rarely the case).  If you had the minimum policy limits of 30/60, you would be able to recover up to $30,000 to compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and any pain and suffering.

Recovering Compensation After An Uninsured Car Accident In Richmond

When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s important to have a legal professional on your side. A Richmond uninsured motorist injury lawyer can help you recover damages caused by the uninsured driver.

We understand the difficulties that come with being injured by uninsured motorists. We’re here to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, so contact us today.

If you’ve been injured by an uninsured driver in Virginia, don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation. We look forward to helping you get the compensation that you deserve.

How Uninsured Motorist And Underinsured Motorist Cases Work In Richmond

When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, your insurance company may be responsible for compensating you. This is because uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are a part of most car insurance policies.

If you have uninsured or underinsured coverage, contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. They will work with you to determine the amount of damages you’ve sustained and how much compensation they are responsible for paying.

If your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is not enough to cover all of your injuries, contact an uninsured/underinsured car accident lawyer in Richmond with Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci today.

What If The Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist Can’t Pay?

The unfortunate truth is that, in most instances, people who don’t have auto insurance simply can’t afford it. If that person causes a car accident, expecting them to pay for your damages will very likely be unrealistic.

However, a Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci attorney may still be able to help you obtain the fair compensation you deserve. There are options your attorney could pursue, such as wage garnishment, placing a lien on property the negligent driver owns, or forcing the sale of that property.

If the negligent motorist doesn’t have the assets now, that doesn’t mean that can’t change in the future. They could eventually get a new job that provides them with a higher salary, or they could receive an inheritance. A skilled attorney will never give up, and will always work to obtain as much compensation as possible on behalf of a client.

Other Options You May Have To Obtain Compensation

If your uninsured motorist coverage doesn’t provide enough money to pay for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages and other damages you’ve incurred, your Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci Richmond car accident lawyer may still be able to help you obtain compensation. Here are a few other options you may have.

For example, you may be able to look at other types of insurance coverage you may have, such as so-called “medpay,” or medical payments coverage. Your own insurance company could help pay for medical bills – at least some of them.

You may also have collision insurance coverage that will pay for any property damage to your vehicle. This type of auto insurance coverage will typically pay regardless of which parties are to blame when car accidents occur.

If you’re having problems with your own insurance company, Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci will work to force your provider to provide you with fair compensation. If a fair settlement isn’t forthcoming, we’ll be well prepared to take on that company in a court of law.

Taking Action Against The Negligent Driver’s Employer

Even if you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage or collision coverage, there’s a chance you could take action against what is known as a “responsible third party.”

In many instances, uninsured or underinsured drivers are behind the wheel on behalf of their employer. If that’s the case, and your uninsured motorist insurance is coming up short of what you need, your attorney might be able to take action against the employer of the at-fault driver.

His or her employer could face liability for any negligent acts committed by their employees, as long as those acts took place within the course and scope of employment.

There are also some instances where the negligence of the employer plays a role in causing car accidents. The employer could have failed to properly inspect the vehicle, and the brakes or some other component failed as a result. If that’s the case, then you could file a claim against the employer, even if the employee doesn’t carry liability insurance.

What Should I Do If I Get Injured In A Car Accident?

If you’re injured in a car accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Many injuries don’t manifest themselves until later, so it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

Once you’ve received treatment for your injuries, contact an uninsured motorist injury lawyer in Richmond. We’ll work with you to get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

If possible, try to take pictures of any damage caused by the uninsured driver and keep records of medical expenses related to treatment for your injuries. These will be helpful in building a successful car accident claim against an uninsured motorist or minimizing legal costs if we have to pursue litigation on your behalf.

The uninsured motorist injury lawyers with Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. If you’ve been injured by an uninsured driver in Virginia, don’t hesitate to call us today for a free consultation. Your Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci uninsured motorist lawyer will be passionate about helping you get justice.

Uninsured Motorist Lawyers In Richmond VA

If you have uninsured or underinsured coverage on your insurance policy, contact your insurance company as soon as possible after being involved in an accident with a negligent uninsured driver.

Your insurance company should work with you to determine how much of your damages they are responsible for paying. But if it doesn’t, we’ll be more than ready to help. We have won many, many cases against insurance companies that had to go to trial. If this should prove necessary in your case, we’ll do everything we can to help you prevail.

If your uninsured coverage is not enough to cover all of your injuries, call a  Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci uninsured motorist accident attorney in Richmond today. The legal professionals with our law firm will work with you to obtain as much compensation as possible. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our law firm as soon as you can.