The other driver’s insurance company will not pay your medical bills as you receive treatment. You must first complete your care, then seek reimbursement as part of your claim. Your health insurance may cover some expenses in the meantime. If the other driver is found to be at fault, their insurer should cover your medical costs as part of a final settlement or court judgment.
If the other driver lacks insurance, your auto insurance policy might provide coverage. Virginia requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage (UM), which can pay for your medical bills and vehicle repairs if no other coverage is available. Our law firm can check your policy to see if you purchased UM coverage.
No, you do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, nor should you. The insurance company could use your words to limit or deny coverage. Refer the insurance adjuster to your attorney instead.
Depending on the circumstances, you could recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care costs
- Income losses
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule, which says that if you share any blame for the accident, even just 1 percent, you could lose your right to recover compensation if your fault was a proximate cause of the crash. The other driver’s insurance company may call on the strict rule in an effort to shift blame onto you. Our attorney can collect all available evidence to show that the other driver was entirely responsible for the crash.
Virginia law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Only very narrow exceptions can extend the deadline. However, it is critical to contact our law firm as soon as possible so we can start building your claim before evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade.
Our Virginia car accident attorney can handle every aspect of your claim for you while you focus on healing. Our lawyer can investigate your claim and send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurer that advises them about the compensation you should receive. We can then negotiate a fair settlement or, if necessary, take your case to court to seek appropriate compensation.
Stay calm and check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 to report the crash and request medical help if anyone is hurt. Seek medical attention. Move your vehicle to a safe spot if possible, but only if it is safe to do so. Exchange contact and insurance details with the other drivers, and get names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and injuries. Avoid admitting fault.
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