Distracted Driving Continues to Rise
Find out how you can ensure you and your loved ones are protected on the road
We’ve all seen it. Drivers glued to their cell phones, others attempting to multitask by eating breakfast on their morning commute, and the frustrating delays caused by curious onlookers. Distracted driving has reached unprecedented levels, causing 1.6 million accidents every year that can shatter lives in mere moments. A careless driver can cause an accident that can leave you injured, your vehicle totaled, and your daily life upended.
Immediately following an accident, you’d be comforted to hear the other driver had a great “full-coverage” car insurance policy. Initially, that gave you some peace of mind, which is exactly what auto insurance is meant to provide.
But what if it turns out that a “great full-coverage car insurance policy” just isn’t enough to cover your extensive medical bills? Worse yet, what if the at-fault driver doesn’t have any liability insurance at all?
Suddenly, in addition to the pain and distress caused by the accident, you’re dealing with the possibility of unexpected expenses that far exceed what the at-fault driver’s insurance policy will provide. The peace of mind you had hoped for early on is gone, and you’re left wondering what you could have done better to protect yourself before the accident occurred. You’re probably also asking yourself, “Do I have enough car insurance myself?”
“FULL-COVERAGE” CAR INSURANCE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH
Situations like this one are common. An estimated 1 out of every 10 drivers in Virginia are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and some believe that number could be even higher. Significantly more drivers are underinsured, carrying only the bare minimum liability insurance policy, which is currently $30,000 under Virginia law (slated to increase to $50,000 in 2025). The odds of being hit by a driver who might not have the means to provide full and fair compensation after an accident are high.
With the cost of medical bills getting higher every year, $30,000 in minimal liability insurance isn’t likely to offset the costs of an injury sustained in a car accident. To protect themselves and their families, drivers need to understand that having full-coverage car insurance means you have enough insurance – more than required state minimums – and the policy includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
The attorneys at Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, a local personal injury law firm, handle situations just like this one regularly. “We see the daily consequences of being involved in an auto accident with either an uninsured or underinsured driver. Many situations involve our clients having to turn to their policy to obtain compensation for their personal injury claim,” says Brad
Huffman, the law firm’s senior partner attorney. “It is so important that you ensure your car insurance policy has sufficient coverage so that you have a safety net if you find yourself in this situation.”
PROTECTING YOURSELF BEFORE A CAR ACCIDENT HAPPENS
The number one way to protect yourself and your family before an accident happens is to make sure your auto insurance policy is equipped to cover you in any situation – whether you or another driver is at fault for the collision. Huffman & Huffman’s attorneys say the biggest mistake a driver can make is not having enough insurance or assuming that the minimum limits required by the state are enough.
If an at-fault driver is either uninsured or underinsured and cannot cover your personal injury claim, a strong, full-coverage personal auto insurance policy (and enough of it) will provide a safety net.
Attorneys who work with car accidents say auto insurance liability policies should greatly exceed Virginia’s legally required minimum of $30,000, they suggest drivers obtain $100,000 in liability coverage (which provides the same amount in uninsured/underinsured coverage). With an already existing auto insurance policy, increasing coverage to more substantial limits should only cost a few extra dollars a month. That small increase in monthly premiums could potentially save drivers thousands in the future.
ASK THE LOCAL CAR ACCIDENT EXPERTS
If you’ve been in a car accident that was not your fault, it is also important to consult a knowledgeable car accident attorney to help explore all the options that might be available to you. “One of the many benefits of hiring a personal injury law firm is that we have experience in finding all possible insurance coverage that could help cover your injury claim and maximize your compensation,” says Keith Leonard, partner attorney at Huffman & Huffman. “This could include utilizing coverage from a policy a resident relative may have or tracking down the vehicle’s owner’s policy if they were not the driver.”
A cost-free consultation with a seasoned personal injury firm like Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law can provide a better understanding of the rights and options both drivers and passengers have after an accident. Huffman & Huffman has been serving injured car accident victims for over 50 years in Hampton Roads and all over Virginia.
When you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and inconvenience. Contact Huffman & Huffman today to learn more about the steps you can take if you’ve been injured following a car accident or have questions about car insurance coverage.
The experienced attorneys at
are available 24/7 by calling 757-525-9820 or visiting HuffmanHuffman.com