What happens if the driver who caused my car crash injuries does not have enough insurance coverage? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Virginia requires drivers to carry car insurance that provides a minimum of $25,000 of liability coverage. The state also allows drivers to get around that requirement by paying an annual fee instead of obtaining car insurance.

If a driver carries minimum liability coverage, chooses to pay the noninsured driver fee, or just operates without any type of coverage at all, injured victims of a car crash can find themselves paying their own medical bills.

One more state law helps prevent that. Virginia requires each car insurance policy issued in the state to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provisions. Car crash victims can invoke those provisions when they become victims of a driver with minimum or no liability insurance.

EJL