What Our Clients Say

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Why Clients Choose Us

You went above and beyond the call of duty for an attorney.
I like to deal with people who are honest and who keep their word. You are that kind of straight shooter.
I would recommend Mr. Shapiro and his staff to other persons who have a personal injury and need help with their situation as I did.
I asked a friend of mine...what attorney would he use [to handle a mesothelioma case] and he immediately said Rick Shapiro. He called Rick on his cell phone and explained our situation and handed me the phone. That connection to the law firm of Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis and Appleton began a relationship of trust and a sense of confidence that we had not experienced before. It was apparent to us that we had the right team fighting for our father.
She returned my calls promptly and everyone at the office was courteous and helpful.
I was really happy with the work that John Cooper did on my auto accident case. We went to mediation and got the case resolved for a good amount which will let me do things to help my financial future like buying a house.

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If you've suffered an injury due to the negligence of a hit-and-run driver or uninsured driver, you should be able to get the necessary financial recovery from your insurance policy to cover medical costs and car repairs. That's what this page focuses on. After you've had a chance to review the information, please take advantage of our free consumer report about uninsured/underinsured motorists.

Our law firm is often contacted by people injured in a hit-and-run or uninsured driver car accidents. The way that car insurance provides coverage in a hit-and-run or uninsured driver incident is complicated. In Virginia (VA), a typical car insurance policy states that if you are in a car accident and suffer injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver or someone with no car insurance, your own car insurance will provide coverage to protect you.

This works in a strange way: your car insurance company provides a legal defense to the hit-and-run driver, even if never located, and must pay up to the total uninsured motorist insurance coverage the policy provides (this depends on the severity of the injuries and the damages). This type of insurance coverage in a hit-and-run car accident is called the uninsured motorist (uninsured driver) coverage.

In other words, even if the hit and run driver does not have car insurance, most state laws have this special uninsured motorist (UM or UIM) coverage automatically attached to every car owner’s insurance policy. The coverage means that an insurance company must provide this coverage to pay you for your medical expenses, permanent injuries, lost wages, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and all other damages that clearly arise from the other driver’s fault or negligence.

Given the complexity of determining the type of insurance that applies to your particular car accident situation, we've written a special, in-depth consumer report about how to deal with an uninsured/underinsured driver and ways to protect yourself. Download the uninsured/underinsured driver report here for free.

Uninsured motorist coverage is actually the most important part of your car insurance policy because it is the part that will cover you (the client) if you are in an car accident caused by a drunk driver with no insurance, by a hit-and-run driver who flees the scene of the accident, or just by a person who does not have car insurance.

Other parts of your car insurance are protecting the other person in the sense that your insurance company will pay the limits of your insurance if you are the negligent party. On the other hand, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you and provides insurance coverage to you if a negligent or careless driver in a car crash with you does not have insurance or even if their insurance expired or lapsed. More importantly, this is exactly what often happens when a drunk driver causes a serious car crash or accident and does not even have car insurance because of a previous conviction for example. Also, this can happen when a negligent person borrows a friend's car and the negligent driver or car owner does not have any car insurance.

In Virginia (VA), and many other states, your car insurance rates may not be increased simply for making this type claim, as long as the accident is not your fault.

Some states require proof of actual collision or contact between the uninsured or hit-and-run driver's car and your “host” car. Other states do not have an actual contact or property damage requirement, but all states require that there be proof and solid evidence that the hit-and-run driver caused the crash in question and if unknown, that evidence exists that the “phantom” driver fled the scene.

In addition, uninsured motorist/driver coverage can usually be found in an employer’s car insurance or truck insurance policy. In other words, sometimes our clients are actually working or driving a company car or truck at the time they are in an accident caused by hit-and-run, underinsured or uninsured driver. In these circumstances, there are multiple possibilities of what companies must provide car insurance coverage. Our client's own car insurance is a possible source along with the employer's insurance on the company car or truck.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses exclusively on injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth. Our office is based in Virginia Beach, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness. While not every injury case meets our criteria, we off a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition. Rick and James, along with fellow attorney John Cooper were named Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law (2010 Ed., less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. Our 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.

We also offer free special reports along with editing the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube, a Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers blog, a Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors blog, and a blog dedicated to accident and safety issues on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

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Main VA Office
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757)-460-7776
Fax: (757)-460-3428
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

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Hampton-Peninsula Area Office
Mill Point Center
101 Eaton Street
Hampton, Virginia 23669
Phone: (757)-788-8162

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North Carolina Office
101 E. Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

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Offices

Main VA Office
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757)-460-7776
Fax: (757)-460-3428
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

Hampton-Peninsula Area Office
Mill Point Center
101 Eaton Street
Hampton, Virginia 23669
Phone: (757)-788-8162

North Carolina Office
101 E. Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

Case Results

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT, AND THE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS MENTIONED ON THIS WEBSITE, WHILE ACCURATE, DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT WE MAY OBTAIN FOR YOU IN YOUR CASE.