Leesburg Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
It is surprising to many to discover that Virginia law does not require car insurance for all drivers in Virginia. However, both the law and common sense strongly encourage it. Car accidents are difficult enough to deal with, without the added stress of trying to figure out how you are going to pay for damages, foot the medical bills, and make up for any lost wages that result from both short and long-term injuries. Unfortunately, many drivers choose to not pay for insurance in Virginia, and instead drive without any coverage.
Uninsured motorists are just as susceptible to car accidents as insured motorists though, and when an uninsured driver causes a car accident in Virginia, they often do not have the means to compensate the victim completely for their losses. If you were involved in car accident in Virginia, and an uninsured driver was at fault, the Leesburg uninsured accident attorneys at Simms Showers, LLP want to help you recover compensation for as much of the damages and losses as possible. We will evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident, look into the other driver’s ability to pay, and explore every other avenue to determine the best course of action for recuperating damages.
Filing a Claim with Your Own Insurance Company
Unfortunately, sometimes the best and only course of action when dealing with an accident caused by an uninsured driver in Virginia is to file an insurance claim with your own car insurance company. Fortunately, insured drivers in Virginia are also required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which serves to cover the damages caused by both uninsured and underinsured drivers. Because the uninsured motorist coverage plan is required to match the liability coverage portion of your car insurance, you are guaranteed
- At least $25,000 for injuries per person;
- At least $50,000 for total injuries per accident; and
- At least $20,000 for property damages.
This amount may be higher based on the liability coverage you purchase. In certain cases your coverage can “stack” with other policies you own or those in your household own.
Dealing with insurance companies is never easy though, and you can expect to run into the same issues with your own insurance company as you would with another driver’s. Those issues may include:
- The insurance company trying to significantly reduce your settlement;
- Denial of insurance coverage entirely; and
- Intimidation and encouragement by the insurance company’s lawyers in order to get you to try to drop your settlement.
Because of this, even if you are dealing with your own insurance company in an uninsured motorist accident, it is best to hire a Leesburg uninsured motorist attorney to help you stand your ground against your insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement.
What To Do When Your Insurance Company Will Not Pay
When your insurance company will not pay you, it would be in your best interest to hire an experienced Leesburg uninsured motorist attorney. Our legal professionals can help you navigate the lengthy claims process, deal with all of the complicated paperwork, and ensure that you are not intimidated into dropping your car accident claim.
If you were recently involved in a car accident in Leesburg, VA, and if the at-fault driver does not have any insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your damages and losses, consult with a Leesburg uninsured motorist accident attorney. To schedule a consultation today, contact Simms Showers, LLP at 703-457-1793 today.
Virginia Uninsured Motorist Attorney
Drivers in Virginia are not necessarily required to carry car insurance; they are, however, required to be able to pay for any damages caused to another vehicle or driver. In order to do so, the state requires that Virginia drivers either a) purchase car insurance, or b) pay the DMV to drive uninsured. Additionally, car insurance policies in Virginia are required include uninsured motorist coverage in the event that the driver is hit and/or injured by an uninsured driver, involved in a hit-and-run car accident, or hit and/or injured by a driver that does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for the resulting damages.
At Simms Showers, LLP, we assist both uninsured motorists and drivers hit by uninsured motorists in the event of a car accident. If you need the assistance of a Virginia uninsured motorist attorney, contact our Leesburg car accident firm to speak with one of our legal representatives about your options.
Virginia’s Uninsured Motorist Policy
If you choose to remain uninsured in Virginia, you must pay the Department of Motor Vehicles a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee in addition to your registration dues. This fee allows you to drive uninsured for one year; however, if you are involved in a car collision in that one year, you are still required to pay for any and all damages that resulted. If the accident was your fault, you will also be required to pay for damages and injuries sustained by the other party as well.
If you are guilty of several traffic violations and traffic crimes, you may be required to not only purchase car insurance, but also file additional paperwork to prove that you are in compliance with Virginia’s financial responsibility laws. In order to prove that you meet the necessary requirements, you will be required to file either an SR-22 or FR-44.
Reasons for which you may be required to purchase car insurance and file an SR-22 include:
- You were convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter as the result of a car accident;
- You falsified your driver’s license, car registration, or car insurance information;
- You were convicted of a felony as a result of violating a traffic law;
- You were involved in a hit-and-run; or
- You were driving without insurance but failed to pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee.
If you were convicted of a DUI, you may also be required to purchase car insurance and to file an FR-44 certificate.
Consult a Leesburg, Virginia Uninsured Motorist Attorney
At Simms Showers, LLP, we strongly encourage Virginia residents to purchase car insurance – not only for the protection of themselves, but also for the protection of other drivers on the road. However, sometimes car insurance is out of the question for some people. If you are an uninsured driver, and if you were involved in a car accident, it may be in your best interests to consult with one of our Leesburg uninsured motorist attorneys to discuss your options. Additionally, if you were hit by an uninsured motorist, our Leesburg uninsured motorist accident attorneys can help you recover the damages you seek, despite the other motorist’s uninsured status. To schedule a consultation today, contact Simms Showers, LLP at 703-457-1793 today.
