Our Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Explains Auto Insurance Liability Coverage
In the driving world, protecting yourself from potential problems is important. That’s where automobile liability insurance comes in. However, understanding what may be required of a Virginia driver can be tricky. Whether you’ve been driving for a while or are a new driver, our experienced Virginia car accident lawyer can help you understand what liability insurance offers and can help you decide whether or not to carry it and provide peace of mind on the road.
Liability Insurance Requirements in Virginia
Understanding Virginia law is essential when making decisions about auto insurance. Virginia doesn’t require you to carry auto insurance. However, if you don’t, you not only have to pay an annual fee, but you must also be able to pay for any costs that result from an accident if you are at fault.
Driving without insurance is taking a huge gamble. Nobody plans to get into a crash. Buying auto insurance is one way of protecting yourself financially in the event of an accident.
The costs of an accident can be astronomical, especially when the crash is severe and results in major injuries or even fatalities. Whether or not to carry insurance is a personal decision, but we recommend everyone carry liability insurance in Virginia to protect themselves and their assets from incurring financial losses.
Virginia Liability Insurance Minimums
If you decide to carry liability insurance in Virginia, it must meet the state’s minimum requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
- $20,000 for property damage per accident
What Automobile Liability Insurance Covers
Liability insurance means if you are at fault (“liable” for the accident), your insurance could be used to pay for expenses related to the crash. This coverage typically includes:
- Bodily injury. If you’re at fault in an accident and someone else is injured, your liability insurance helps cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Property damage. Liability insurance can help cover damage to another party’s property if you are at fault for an accident. This includes damage to their car, fence, or building.
Optional Types of Auto Insurance in Virginia
Because Virginia doesn’t require drivers to carry liability insurance, you could be the victim of an accident where the other driver did not have insurance at the time of the crash. Without insurance, you may not be able to get reimbursed for damages related to the crash, including medical expenses, lost income from time missed at work, and vehicle repairs. These costs can be very high, and you may not be able to recover them from the individual if they don’t have the financial means to pay for your costs. You could be on the hook for thousands of dollars even when an accident wasn’t your fault.
Though liability insurance isn’t required in Virginia, we recommend all Virginia drivers carry it and recommend adding additional insurance so they are covered in the event of a crash:
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This protects you if you’re in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have insurance. It will also help if the person has insurance but doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your expenses.
- Collision coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car if you’re in an accident, regardless of who is found at fault.
- Comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage will protect your vehicle from non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, or weather damage.
The Importance of Consulting a Lawyer After Any Accident
No matter how minor an accident may seem, consulting with a lawyer afterward is a good idea. Our Virginia accident attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for any damages. They’ll also handle the complexities of dealing with insurance companies, including identifying all applicable insurance policies to maximize your recovery.