What is Medical Payments Coverage?
- Written by Chad A. Mooney
Medical payments coverage is “no-fault” optional automobile insurance in Virginia. “No-fault” means that an injured person can receive proceeds from this coverage for personal injuries stemming from an auto accident regardless of who was at fault. “Medical payments” and “medical expense” is the same type of coverage, often used interchangeably. Attorneys and insurance adjusters simply refer to it as “MedPay.” Insurance companies will offer medical expense coverage typically in amounts of $1,000, $2,000, or $5,000. A car owner can purchase this optional coverage in addition to liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage).
Why You Need Significant Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Written by Chad A. Mooney
Automobile insurance is generally understood by many as a means to protect assets from injured third parties, also known as liability coverage. What happens, though, when you are injured by an at-fault driver who has low insurance limits or no insurance? Your own policy will carry coverage known as uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM). This coverage can help guard against an adverse financial impact caused by an irresponsible driver.
When a Criminal Conviction is Not Enough: Punitive Damages Against Drunk Drivers
- Written by Amy Miles Kowalski and Chad A. Mooney
A drunk driver who causes injury may escape jail time altogether, and any restitution may not even cover the injured party’s medical bills. However, if you are injured by a drunk driver, you may be able to recover more than just damages that compensate you for your injuries and damage to your property. Virginia recognizes a category of damages called “punitive damages” that operates to punish a wrongdoer over and above the amount of damage caused to the victim and to deter egregious conduct. Punitive damages are especially helpful in drunk driving cases when the criminal penalty imposed may seem insufficient.
Prepaid Traffic Tickets: An Admission of Guilt
- Written by Amy Miles Kowalski and Chad A. Mooney
You have been injured in an accident while the other driver seemingly walks away with a traffic ticket, perhaps for speeding or running a red light. You pause and wonder about the fairness of this situation. Although the other driver may be tempted to avoid the hassle of court and instead opt to prepay the associated fine, the law may be on your side.
New Laws in Virginia (Effective July 1, 2018)
- Written by Chad A. Mooney
As the calendar rolled over to July 1, 2018, new laws have taken effect in the Commonwealth. The following “short” list is not comprehensive, but includes those laws that may have interest among personal injury and civil litigation attorneys.
