When a commercial truck accident occurs in Charlottesville, Virginia, having adequate insurance coverage becomes crucial, particularly when dealing with uninsured or underinsured motorists. Virginia law requires all drivers to either carry minimum liability insurance or pay an uninsured motorist fee, but this baseline coverage may prove insufficient in severe truck accidents. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage provides vital protection when the at-fault party lacks adequate insurance to cover damages. This coverage becomes especially important in commercial truck accidents, where injuries tend to be more severe and medical costs higher. Understanding how UM/UIM coverage works, its limitations, and its application in truck accident claims can significantly impact your ability to recover full compensation for injuries, lost wages, and other damages.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Virginia Code § 38.2-2206 mandates that all auto insurance policies include UM/UIM coverage equal to the policy's liability limits unless specifically rejected in writing. In Charlottesville truck accident cases, victims have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Virginia follows a modified comparative negligence system, where plaintiffs cannot recover damages if found more than 50% at fault. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. The minimum required liability coverage in Virginia is $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage, though commercial vehicles typically carry higher limits. A Charlottesville personal injury attorney will handle all aspects of the insurance claim.

People get injured in many types of accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers. Click the links below to learn more about how injury attorneys can help for different types of accidents including:

• Charlottesville car crash attorney;
• Charlottesville pedestrian accident attorney;
• Charlottesville motorcycle accident lawyer;
• Charlottesville truck accident lawyer;
• Charlottesville bicycle accident attorney;
• Charlottesville brain injury lawyer;
• Charlottesville wrongful death claim lawyer.

Related Resources

• Charlottesville Circuit Court 1021 E Jefferson St Charlottesville, VA 22902
• Virginia DMV Crash Report Services 804-497-7100
• Virginia State Police Insurance Verification www.dmv.virginia.gov/insurance
• Virginia Insurance Requirements www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/Insurance
• Brain Injury Association of Virginia 804-355-5748
• Virginia Trucking Association 804-355-5371

Return to the Charlottesville truck accident information page