Wrongful Death and Hit and Run: Who Pays?

9/12/2011
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
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Wrongful Death and Hit-and-Run Accidents: Who Pays?

When someone you love and care about is killed in an auto accident, it's a traumatic experience. But what happens when the person who killed your loved one flees the scene of the accident? Who is going to pay for the hit-and-run wrongful death of your loved one?

As a Virginia motorcycle injury lawyer, I know that the deceased's own insurance will have to pay. This policy provision called uninsured motorist, or UM, coverage is a part of standard driver's insurance that you may not have even paid any attention to.

How does it work? Simply put, your car insurance company provides a legal defense to the hit-and-run driver even if the person is never located, and the policy must pay up to the total uninsured motorist coverage provided; the exact value depends on the nature of the losses and the damages.

This was nearly the case in a recent motorcycle accident in Norfolk, Virginia (VA), near the 9400 block of Granby Street and Government Avenue. A driver hit a motorcyclist then fled the scene. Tragically, the rider of the motorcycle was killed in the accident. Police were able to track down and arrest the driver responsible. I know it's a small measure of comfort to the family who has lost a loved one, but at least they will be able to look the man in the eye who took the life of their loved one. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, then UM coverage will apply.

The attorneys with our experienced wrongful death law firm have created a free consumer guide to help families looking for information after a fatal car accident: Wrongful Death Report: What You and Your Family Need to Know.

Category: Wrongful Death

Labels: Cooper fatal car accident hit and run motorcycle accident motorcycle accident lawyer motorcycle injury Norfolk hit and run uninsured motorist VA personal injury attorney Virginia Personal injury lawyer wrongful death attorney

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling wrongful death cases. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if your family member or loved one was killed as a result of someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Form since 2009 and listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor. In addition, ours was the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms.

Our VA personal injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential case consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.

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Wrongful Death and Hit-and-Run Accidents: Who Pays?

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