Although there are only three types of coverage for fault-based states such as Virginia, it’s difficult for the driver to understand the function and purpose they serve. Liability coverage means that the coverage will only cover the damage and injuries of the victim of a wreck. That’s it, which means that liability is only something to worry about if you’re the victim.
Expect Them to Have Minimum Coverage
If someone has liability-only coverage, then that driver also probably has Virginia’s absolute minimum coverage. Virginia requires that every driver in the state carry at least liability coverage for $25,000 per person for injury, $20,000 for property damages, $25,000 for uninsured motorist injury coverage, and $20,000 in uninsured motorist property damage.
The good news is that the requirement for uninsured motorist coverage ensures that if the at-fault driver doesn’t have any insurance and you only have liability with UIM, then you are still covered.
Now, there is an option in Virginia to register as an uninsured motorist, and at that point, it gets a little more complex. For now, focusing on the liability coverage, if they have the minimum, it means that their coverage will cut off at exactly $25,000 for medical bills now if your injuries are $35,000 that leaves you with $10,000 to handle yourself.
Was The Crash Their Fault?
If you’re looking at liability coverage from the other driver, then it is probably their fault and probably something you need to resolve with them, your insurance, and a car accident lawyers in Virginia Beach. On that matter, liability insurance is something that offers some protection, but there’s no guarantee that it can cover a huge compensation payout. If you experienced life-changing injuries, then it probably won’t cover your pain and suffering, and probably not even all of your medical bills.
If the case is that their insurance policy can’t offer full compensation, you may be able to take further action in a legal manner. You have a limited time frame around filing your claim against them after you’ve gone through insurance. And, you may have some struggles in starting that claim if your release statement acknowledges that you surrendered rights to sue for excess damages.
Even if the crash is their fault, it could be a challenge to get the compensation that you require. That is where many Virginia Beach car accident lawyers jump in because, with an attorney, you can be aware and even fight statements that would make it difficult or impossible to pursue the remainder of the damages after their liability ran out.
What Does Liability Coverage, Cover?
Liability coverage doesn’t cover much. It only takes care of the victims, and if you were any percentage at fault for the wreck, then you could be missing out on big chunks of compensation. So it only covers the victims, and it typically only has enough coverage to manage medical expenses and property damage.
That means that you may not see compensation for things like pain and suffering, time lost at work, or missed opportunities. Liability coverage helps people regain some financial peace but does not offer full relief.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Virginia Beach
When you realize that the other person involved doesn’t have the coverage that you need or that your passengers need, then you should start looking for legal help. Your own insurance policy may be less than helpful because, in all honesty, they don’t really care about the other person’s coverage. If you have Underinsured Motorist Coverage, then you may have an outlet to evaluate, but this is different than the state-required “Uninsured Motorist” policies.
Contacting an lawyer earlier is always best because they can start managing your claim and digging into the evidence and available compensation possibilities before you submit your demand. They can build your demand for you to ensure it includes all your damages.
Choosing an Auto Accident Attorney in Virginia Beach for Your Case
There are many car accident attorneys in Virginia Beach, but for some cases, it’s more than something as simple as finding one. You need to find the right car wreck attorney for your case. When it comes to battling a driver that only had liability coverage, there may be the very real possibility that you will need to pursue action against the driver after their coverage runs out.
Virginia Injury Law, Virginia Injury Law, is available and works with the Virginia Beach community’s victims of auto collisions. Contacting our office will start the process of initiating your claim.
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