Uninsured Driver Attorney in Roanoke

Suffering a serious injury in a car accident comes with enough frustrations. You are likely facing expensive medical bills, missing time from work, waiting to have your vehicle repaired or replaced, and coping with both physical and emotional pain and suffering. However, when you find out that the driver who hit you did not have auto insurance, the road ahead can seem a lot more challenging.

One of the Best Uninsured Accident Lawyers in Roanoke

The knowledgeable Virginia uninsured motorist accident attorney at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC has almost 100 years of combined legal experience managing complex auto claims. We understand the stress that comes with being involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver in Roanoke, and we can manage every aspect of your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim so you can focus on your health.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash with a driver who was uninsured, talk to our skilled Roanoke personal injury attorney at Lichtenstein Law Group today. We can review your car insurance policy for free to determine what compensation you are entitled to after a crash. Our team can begin working on your claim with no upfront costs to you. In fact, our law firm only collects legal fees if we recover money for you. Contact us today to learn more.

Can You Still Seek Damages If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver?

All drivers in Virginia are supposed to be financially responsible for the damages they cause in car accidents. That means that even if a driver does not have car insurance, an accident victim can still pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the person. However, without insurance, it is unlikely the at-fault party would be able to pay you.

Fortunately, many Virginia drivers carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of their own auto insurance policies. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim through your own carrier for the damages caused by the uninsured driver.

Unfortunately, pursuing a claim through your own insurance company can be a challenge. Insurance policies are complicated and include a lot of fine print. An extensive amount of documentation is required to file a claim for the maximum compensation you are owed. There is no room for error.

Our dedicated uninsured motorist lawyer can walk you through the process and do all the legwork related to filing your claim. We will gather the evidence needed to support your personal injury claim and make sure all deadlines are met. Schedule a free consultation with our legal team today to learn how we can help you.

Are Drivers in Virginia Required to Have Car Insurance?

Drivers in Virginia must meet the minimum auto insurance requirements or be forced to pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee of $500 each year. The minimum auto insurance requirements for Virginia are:

$25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
$50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people
$20,000 for property damage

In addition, insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage that matches the liability coverage in the policy. This coverage is intended to protect the policyholder in case of an accident with a driver who is not insured. However, Virginia drivers do have the right to reject uninsured motorist coverage.

Drivers who choose to go without insurance and instead pay the $500 fee are still legally liable for any damage they cause in a car accident. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles collects this fee for the Uninsured Motorist Fund, which is used to reduce the overall cost of uninsured motorist coverage for Virginia drivers.

If you have been hurt in a car accident with an uninsured driver and are unsure what your insurance should cover, contact our law firm today. Our knowledgeable Roanoke uninsured motorist lawyer can go over your policy and identify any potential sources of compensation for you.

What to Do If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Virginia

After any type of car accident, you need to take steps to protect your legal rights, including:

Seek medical help as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you need an ambulance at the scene, see a doctor immediately to get your injuries checked out.
Call the police. Law enforcement will write an accident report that will document details from the crash scene.
Take photos and notes at the scene. If possible, take photos of your vehicle, the position of the cars, and your injuries. Write down what you remember about the crash while it is still fresh in your memory.
Get the name and contact information of the other driver, even if he or she doesn’t have insurance. Also, ask for contact information from any witnesses to the wreck.
Contact your insurance company to report the crash. Your insurance company will need to know basic details such as when and where the crash occurred and who was involved. You should not answer questions from the insurance company about your injuries until you talk to a lawyer.
Schedule a free consultation with an experienced uninsured motorist attorney to discuss your next steps for filing a claim through your insurance company.

Let Our Respected Car Accident Lawyers Fight for Your Rights

You should not be forced to pay for someone else’s mistake ─ especially when you have been a responsible person and carried the insurance that is supposed to protect you from careless drivers. Talk to our dedicated car accident attorneys today about what compensation may be available through your own insurance coverage.

In addition to uninsured motorist coverage, our law firm will also explore your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage could help if the person who hit you has insurance but not enough to cover the damages you suffered in the crash.

Contact the experienced Roanoke auto accident attorneys at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC today to schedule a free consultation. Our legal team can meet you wherever is most convenient, and we frequently represent clients in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, Norfolk, and throughout Virginia.