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Will car insurance be enough after a crash in Virginia?

On Behalf of | Aug 2, 2021 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury

Maybe someone ran into you when you stopped short to avoid a pedestrian. Maybe you were hit from the side when a driver ran a light as you passed through an intersection. Either way, you ended up hurt through no fault of your own.

When another driver causes a car crash, then you reasonably expect that you can make a claim against their motor vehicle liability insurance policy. Their coverage can reimburse you both for the damage to your vehicle and for any injuries that you suffer because of the crash. 

However, not every driver carries enough insurance to cover their losses and other people’s losses after they cause a major wreck.

How much insurance does Virginia require? 

Virginia requires two different kinds of liability coverage. Every driver must purchase at least $20,000 worth of property damage liability coverage. There will also be bodily injury liability coverage required. The minimum someone can carry in Virginia is $25,000 for a crash that leaves one person hurt or dead and at least $50,000 of coverage in crashes that injure or kill multiple people. 

When you consider that the bodily injury coverage should pay for not just your hospital bills but also any lost wages, you can easily see how an insurance policy with only the minimum amount of coverage might leave you with substantial unpaid expenses. 

If there is a gap between what the crash costs you and the coverage available, you may be able to make a claim against your own policy if you have under-insured driver protection. Otherwise, pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver who hurt you may be necessary. 

Knowing the limitations of Virginia insurance can help you respond appropriately after a motor vehicle collision. Working with an experienced advocate is often key to getting what you deserve. 

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