Casey is a founding partner at River Run Law Group. Casey has tried numerous cases across the Commonwealth in both General District Court and Circuit Court. He has earned millions of dollars for his clients through trials, mediations, and settlements.
Drunk driving accident victims often suffer massive losses. Medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses pile up quickly. You may wonder, does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents?
Auto insurers do cover drunk driving accidents. However, the drunk driver’s auto policy might not be enough to cover everything you lost.
If a driver causes an accident while intoxicated, they can be held liable for damages. In most cases, the driver’s car insurance will cover the accident victim’s claim, even if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.
Having an aggressive and experienced drunk driving accident attorney can help you recover fair and just compensation from any party that contributed to your injuries.
Contact River Run Law today if you or a family member suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident in Richmond, VA. We believe that you deserve justice.
Key Points: Does Insurance Cover Drunk Driving Accidents in Virginia?
- In Virginia, car insurance often does cover drunk driving accidents, allowing injured victims to file a claim against the impaired driver’s liability insurance.
- If the drunk driver has no coverage or too little coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits may help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term damages.
- Many Virginia drivers also have medical payments coverage (MedPay), which can assist with immediate medical costs while the insurance claim is ongoing.
- Insurance companies frequently dispute or undervalue DUI accident claims, making it important to speak with a Virginia drunk driving accident lawyer early in the process.
After a drunk driving accident in Virginia, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by insurance questions, medical bills, and the stress of not knowing what comes next. You shouldn’t have to become an insurance expert just to get the help you deserve. At River Run Law, our team explains your options clearly, handles the insurance process for you, and helps you move forward with confidence so you can focus on healing.
100% Free ConsultationWill Insurance Cover Drunk Driving Accidents?
Car insurance typically covers DUI accidents, but coverage can vary depending on the insurer and the circumstances of the accident. In most cases, insurance policies include provisions for accidents caused by driving under the influence, but it’s essential to review your policy and consult with your insurance provider to understand the specifics of your coverage.
According to the Virginia DMV, 32% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in the Commonwealth involved drunk driving in 2019.
Also, one out of every six motorists is likely to be involved in an alcohol-related crash during their lives.
The money lost due to these accidents is astronomical. Consequently, Virginia law requires every vehicle in operation in the commonwealth to have a current insurance policy.
According to the Code of Virginia, every car must have a minimum of:
- $30,000 coverage for the death or injury of one person;
- $60,000 coverage for the death or injury of two or more people; and
- $20,000 coverage for property damage.
You can purchase more coverage if you wish. However, the statutory minimums increase in January 2025.
You Deserve to Be Made Whole After a Crash
Most people injured by a drunk driver aren’t looking for a fight — they just want their medical care covered, their income protected, and their life back. When insurance companies complicate the process, it adds stress to an already painful situation. At River Run Law, we take the time to understand what this crash has cost you, then build a plan that protects your future while we deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
Speak With Our Team TodayRecent Drunk Driving Accident Settlement
The Case: Our client was involved in a motor vehicle accident where the other driver was intoxicated and ran him off the road. He suffered whiplash injuries and was treated at the emergency room, by an orthopedic doctor, and had a course of physical therapy. His medical bills totaled about $13,000. We settled the case for the full amount of the policy limits of $60,000. There was no other available coverage.
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that testimonials or reviews do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter, as the facts and circumstances of each case differ.
How Do You File a Claim Against a Drunk Driver’s Insurance Policy?
Speaking with an experienced and successful drunk driving accident attorney is vital to your success. The attorneys at River Run Law can initiate the process of recovering just compensation for you.
We will investigate your claim thoroughly and try to identify every party who might have some liability for your losses.
The drunk driver’s insurance company might try to settle with you immediately, especially if the drunk driver was convicted in criminal court.
If you have long-lasting injuries that cause debilitating pain and suffering, then the drunk driver’s insurance policy will not be enough to compensate you for your losses. In that case, we need to find other ways to win compensation for you.
Our investigation might reveal that the drunk driver over-consumed alcohol at a restaurant. You might have a claim against that establishment for over-serving their customer.
We could also look at your insurance policies for injury coverage. Your auto insurance policy might provide under-insured coverage, which you could apply to your losses.
Or you could collect compensation for your damages if the drunk driver did not have insurance because your policy has uninsured coverage.
No matter the case, we will aggressively seek compensation from every available source to make you whole.
For a free confidential review of your case, fill out the form below or call (804) 889-0500.
Hurt By a Drunk Driver in Virginia? Here’s What You Can Do Next.
If you’re searching for answers about whether insurance will cover a drunk driving accident in Virginia, you’re likely facing stress, uncertainty, and a lot of unanswered questions. You shouldn’t have to fight insurance companies or navigate confusing rules while you’re trying to heal. At River Run Law, we help you understand exactly what your options look like and what steps can actually move your life forward.
We identify every insurance policy that may apply, handle the back-and-forth with adjusters, and build a plan designed around your needs—not the insurer’s bottom line. You deserve a clear roadmap, honest guidance, and support from a team that puts your recovery first. A free consultation is a simple way to get clarity before making any decisions.
Schedule Your 100% Free ConsultationInjured by a Drunk Driver? Contact Us to Pursue Justice Today!
Does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents? It probably does. Contact us today at (804) 889-0500 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the answer.
At River Run Law, we are passionate advocates who fight to win fair and just compensation for all our clients.
Where You Can Find Our Richmond Office
Virginia DUI Insurance Coverage FAQs
If you’re asking, does insurance cover DUI accidents in Virginia or does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents in Virginia, you’re not alone. The answers depend on liability, the type of policy involved, and how the crash happened. Below are common questions we hear from people hit by a drunk driver in Richmond and throughout Virginia.
In most cases, Virginia DUI accident insurance coverage does apply when a drunk driver causes a crash. Auto policies are designed to cover negligent driving, and that includes drunk driving, even though it is illegal.
If a drunk driver hits you, their drunk driver liability insurance claim usually pays for your injuries, lost wages, and property damage up to the policy limits. If their coverage is not enough, you may turn to your own policy for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage after a DUI crash. A Richmond Virginia drunk driving accident lawyer can help you identify every available source of recovery.
Insurance companies may threaten to deny or limit a drunk driver liability insurance claim, but Virginia law generally allows injured victims to pursue the policy even when the at-fault driver was under the influence.
The insurer might argue that certain damages are excluded or that another policy should apply first. That’s why it is important to work with a Richmond Virginia drunk driving accident lawyer who understands how insurers handle Virginia DUI accident insurance coverage and can push back if the company unfairly refuses to pay.
If the drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may still protect you through uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage after a DUI crash. Many Virginia drivers carry this coverage without realizing how valuable it is after a serious wreck.
Under the Virginia at-fault car insurance system for drunk driving accidents, the impaired driver is still legally responsible, but your insurer may step in when their policy limits are too low or nonexistent. Our team can review your coverage, explain your options, and help you file the right claims to pursue full compensation.
Yes, your policy may include medical payments coverage (MedPay) for Virginia car accidents. MedPay can help pay for medical treatment regardless of who was at fault, which is especially helpful while your claim against the drunk driver’s insurer is pending.
MedPay often works alongside liability and UM/UIM coverage. A lawyer familiar with Virginia DUI accident insurance coverage can help you coordinate these benefits so you are not leaving money on the table after a drunk driving crash in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, or anywhere else in Virginia.
In some cases, victims of DUI crashes may pursue punitive damages in Virginia drunk driving cases. Punitive damages are different from compensation for medical bills or lost wages – they are meant to punish especially reckless behavior and deter it in the future.
Whether the drunk driver’s insurance will pay punitive damages depends on the specific policy language and the facts of the case. Insurers often fight hard against these claims. A Richmond Virginia drunk driving accident lawyer can evaluate whether punitive damages may be available and how they interact with Virginia DUI accident insurance coverage.
A drunk driving conviction can dramatically increase the DUI conviction impact on car insurance rates. The at-fault driver may be labeled “high-risk,” face policy cancellations, or be forced to obtain specialty coverage such as SR-22 high-risk insurance.
While these consequences fall on the impaired driver, they reinforce why insurers still typically respond when does insurance cover DUI accidents in Virginia is the question. The claim can go forward, and the driver often pays for it later through higher premiums and stricter insurance requirements.
Many people worry that pursuing a claim under their own coverage – especially uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits – will raise their premiums. Insurers evaluate several factors, but simply using the coverage you pay for after a drunk driver harms you is not the same as causing the crash yourself.
When we talk about the DUI conviction impact on car insurance rates, we are usually focused on the at-fault driver, not the innocent victim. If you were not at fault, it is often still worth pursuing every available benefit. Our team can help you weigh the pros and cons based on how your insurer typically handles claims.
Yes. Under the Virginia at-fault car insurance system for drunk driving accidents, the driver who caused the crash – including a drunk driver – is generally responsible for the harm they caused. That means you primarily look to the at-fault driver’s liability policy first.
When people ask, does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents in Virginia, the “at-fault” system is part of the answer. It clarifies whose policy should pay. From there, your own coverage, such as UM/UIM or MedPay, may step in if the drunk driver’s insurance is missing or insufficient.
After a drunk driving crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. Even though you are the victim, the adjuster works for the insurer – not for you. Anything you say can be used to minimize your drunk driver liability insurance claim.
Before giving statements or signing paperwork about Virginia DUI accident insurance coverage, it is wise to speak with a Richmond Virginia drunk driving accident lawyer. An attorney can handle communications with the insurer so you can focus on medical care and recovery.
A local attorney who regularly handles Virginia DUI accident insurance coverage issues can:
- Investigate how the crash happened and identify all at-fault parties;
- Review every policy that might apply – including liability, UM/UIM, and MedPay;
- Build evidence of your injuries, losses, and future needs;
- Negotiate directly with insurers to pursue a full and fair settlement; and
- File a lawsuit when the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly.
When you are wondering, does insurance cover DUI accidents in Virginia and what should I do next?, speaking with a Richmond Virginia drunk driving accident lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health, your family, and your future.
Still unsure how does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents in Virginia applies to your situation? Talk with our team about your options.
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