Virginia Injury Lawyers Blog
Hit-and-run accidents often cause severe bodily injury, property damage, and psychological harm. If you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may seek coverage from your insurance company. However, insurance companies are businesses, and they often do not cover the full extent of their customers’ harm. When insurance does not provide the compensation you need, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit to hold a hit-and-run driver accountable for your injuries.
For example, one person suffered injuries following a hit-and-run collision in Washington, D.C. According to a witness, the victim was riding a Lime scooter in the early morning hours when a car struck his scooter. Rather than stopping to provide aid, the driver kept driving toward Virginia. Local police have continued to investigate the crash.
Can You Pursue Insurance Coverage After a Virginia Hit-and-Run?
Virginia allows insured drivers to seek coverage for a motor vehicle accident without identifying the responsible driver. According to the Virginia Bureau of Insurance, drivers in Virginia must purchase Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which every insurance policy must offer. This type of coverage provides bodily injury and property damage protection in an accident with a hit-and-run driver. You can still receive UM coverage if you do not identify the responsible driver, but you must pay the first $200. If you have identified the driver, UM coverage can help pay the difference if the driver’s liability limits are not high enough to cover your damages. The minimum amount of UM coverage is $30,000 for bodily injury liability and $20,000 for property damage liability.
What if Insurance Does Not Cover All Damages in a Hit-And-Run?
If your insurance policy does not cover the full extent of your damages, you may be able to sue the hit-and-run driver. If you have identified the responsible driver, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit for negligence. To prove the driver is liable for your injuries, you must show that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through their action or failure to act, caused the accident in question, and that you suffered harm as a result. Insurance companies often do not pay the full damages amount you deserve. This is particularly true when you have suffered emotional harm, which is harder to quantify. If your insurance company has failed to provide adequate coverage, bringing a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover the compensation you need.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Virginia Hit-And-Run Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Virginia hit-and-run accident, contact The Schupak Law Firm to discuss your options. Our attorneys possess years of experience handling Virginia personal injury claims, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, medication error, nursing home neglect, and several other practice areas. We understand the complex laws that govern personal injury claims and will work to maximize your compensation. For a free initial consultation, call our office at 240-833-3914.