Manassas, VA Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Accidents With Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers in Manassas, Virginia

Car accidents can be disorienting and stressful in any circumstances. However, when the driver who was responsible for a crash does not have the insurance coverage needed to address the injuries suffered by the victims, the situation can become much more complicated. Victims in these cases may worry about the financial and personal impact of an accident they did nothing to cause, including their medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing pain.

There are options available to people in these circumstances, but obtaining compensation may not always be easy. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we represent victims of car accidents in Manassas, helping them address the challenges involved in insurance claims. Our lawyers know how these cases work and how to build the strongest possible claims on behalf of our clients.

When the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance

Discovering that the driver who caused an accident did not have insurance can cause a person to worry about what to do next. Without coverage under a liability insurance policy, an accident victim may struggle to obtain financial compensation. While a lawsuit may be filed against the at-fault driver, a person who cannot afford insurance coverage may not have the financial resources available to address the victim's damages.

Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to address these situations. The coverage available through a victim's auto insurance policy can provide compensation up to the applicable coverage limits. Automobile insurance policies issued in Virginia are required to include uninsured motorist coverage in amounts equal to or greater than the policy's liability limits. Many drivers have uninsured motorist coverage that may be available without realizing that this is an option. Our attorneys will review a person's insurance policy to identify all sources of coverage that may apply.

When the At-Fault Driver Has Limited Insurance Coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage can address the gap that exists when an at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy will not fully cover the victim's losses. This coverage will be available when the damages sustained by an injured person exceed the coverage provided under the at-fault driver's liability policy.

Underinsured motorist coverage will generally apply when the policy limits of the at-fault driver are less than the total damages suffered by the victim. The amount that may be available through underinsured motorist coverage will depend on the at-fault driver's policy limits, the victim's damages, and the structure of the victim's insurance policy.

Consider a situation where a victim sustains $200,000 in documented losses related to medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, but the driver who was at fault has only $30,000 in coverage under their liability insurance policy. This will leave a gap of $170,000. The victim's underinsured motorist coverage can address that gap, up to the limits of their policy.

When a Driver Leaves the Scene of an Accident

Hit-and-run accidents can be especially frustrating for victims. When the person who caused a crash cannot be identified, a victim will be unable to file a claim through the at-fault driver's insurance policy. This may leave a victim facing injuries and losses with no obvious party to hold accountable.

Uninsured motorist coverage can address the injuries suffered in hit-and-run accidents. An insurance company will treat the situation as if it were an accident with an unidentified driver. However, a victim may need to demonstrate that the hit-and-run vehicle made direct physical contact with their vehicle.

Challenges in Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Even when uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage exists, obtaining fair compensation through an insurance claim may be difficult. Insurance companies have a financial interest in minimizing the amounts they pay out. When a person makes an uninsured motorist claim through their own policy, the insurer may contest liability, challenge the extent of the injuries, or dispute the value of damages.

Documentation and Valuation Disputes

Insurance claims may involve disputes about the extent of a person's injuries. Insurers may argue that certain treatments were unnecessary, or they may challenge projections of future medical costs. Our legal team works with medical professionals to document our clients' injuries thoroughly, establish the connection between a person's injuries and an accident, and negotiate settlements that will fully address the damages our clients have suffered.

Avoiding Actions That Could Harm Your Claim

Certain actions taken after an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident could lead to disputes or the denial of a claim. Giving a recorded statement to an insurer before consulting with an attorney, accepting a quick settlement that may not fully cover the damages that occurred, or failing to receive the proper medical treatment could affect the coverage that may be provided. Our attorneys can help clients understand the best ways to protect their rights and make sure claims can be filed successfully.

Compensation Available Through Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is designed to provide compensation for the same types of losses that would be addressed through another type of insurance claim. The compensation a person receives may address their current and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, physical pain and emotional suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses that have occurred because of an accident and the resulting injuries.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we will work to ensure that uninsured or underinsured motorist claims will be handled correctly. We will gather all available evidence about the crash itself, providing an understanding of how it happened, who was responsible, and the full extent of the harm suffered by a victim. We will conduct a comprehensive review of the insurance policies that may apply, identify all available coverage, and develop a strategy designed to maximize the compensation our client can receive.

Our attorneys will handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting our clients from adjusters who may attempt to deny or minimize claims. We will build detailed, well-documented cases to recover damages for our clients. If necessary, we are fully prepared to pursue litigation against an insurer that refuses to honor its obligations.

Contact Our Manassas Uninsured Driver Accident Attorneys

An uninsured or underinsured driver should not be able to cause serious harm in an accident and leave you without a path to obtain financial compensation. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we can provide the representation needed to ensure that you will be able to address the harm you have suffered in an accident with an uninsured driver. Contact our Manassas, VA uninsured motorist claim lawyers by calling 703-392-6686 today to arrange a free consultation.