If you’re injured in a car accident with a person who has minimum or no insurance coverage, you can look to your own car insurance underinsured coverage for additional insurance. This is often fairly common in many of the cases our car accident lawyers handle. Underinsured motorist coverage is vital because it protects you or a family member injured in a serious car accident and provides coverage beyond what the other driver has.

If you’ve been injured due to another driver’s negligence and are wondering about the value of your case, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we can evaluate your case and determine your best legal options for recovering damages.  Call us today at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation.

How Does UM/UIM Coverage Work?

Virginia law requires that car insurance policies provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM coverage). Uninsured motorist coverage compensates you when you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. For example, a hit-and-run accident is a situation where the at-fault driver is not known. In this situation, your UM coverage can help to pay for your injuries and damages stemming from the incident.

Underinsured motorist coverage compensates you for damages that go beyond those covered by the limited auto insurance policy of the at-fault driver. Let’s say, for example, you have $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages but the at-fault driver has only $25,000 in coverage. You can utilize your UIM coverage for the remaining $25,000 not covered by the at-fault driver’s policy.

How Do I Make an UM/UIM Claim?

You or your attorney claim UM/UIM coverage through your own insurance company. The company will then pay for expenses and losses up to the amount of UM/UIM coverage on your policy. One exception is that your insurance company can avoid paying for property damage up to $200 if the uninsured owner or driver is unknown.

That means you may be responsible for the first $200 of property damage from a hit-and-run. Beyond that, the amount you receive from your insurance will depend on the damages you suffered. You may receive compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and/or any other damages you would have been allowed to collect from the at-fault driver if he or she were known or had proper insurance. The amount you receive from your insurance policy will also depend on the extent of your damages.

Are There Additional Benefits of UM/UIM Coverage?

This coverage can be utilized to cover family members and other qualified drivers if they are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Coverage can also apply if the accident results in a wrongful death.

Determining the right amount of coverage for you is important. We strongly recommend having more coverage, at least $250,000. Why? Because you can never predict the severity of an accident, and if you have a run-of-the-mill legal minimum insurance policy, you are exposing yourself to serious financial hardship if a major accident occurs.

For example, if you have a $25,000 insurance policy and the at-fault driver has no insurance, the most coverage available to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc., is your minimum policy. Anything over that amount will be coming out of your pocket.

How Can Our Personal Injury Firm Help?

At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we have decades of experience handling personal injury claims. We understand how to navigate the legal process and work with you to maximize the value of your car accident case.

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident through no fault of your own and want to talk about your options, feel free to give us a call at any time. We’d be more than happy to discuss your case, your options, and the best plan of attack to ensure that you are fairly compensated and taken care of for your injuries.

Call us at 833-997-1774 to schedule a free consultation, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.