The first time you crash into another car and it is clearly your fault can be a humbling experience. At the end of the day, it can happen to anyone.
The question is: What do you do when it does happen? If you are hurt and you are the one who is at fault, your first question may be about making a personal injury claim with your auto insurance. Is it even possible to do so?
At-Fault in a No-Fault State
In the United States, there are 12 states that have required no-fault insurance laws and several others that give residents a choice of having it. With this form of auto insurance, drivers must purchase Personal Injury Protection as part of their policy. In the event of an accident in no-fault states, each person’s PIP covers medical bills for personal injuries, regardless of who is at fault.
At-Fault in Virginia
With that said, Virginia’s insurance liability laws do not have no-fault provisions. As a result, there is no PIP requirement. In fact, there is no “PIP” at all. Instead, Virginia gives residents the option of purchasing separate personal injury coverage called MedPay. If you have a MedPay policy, it will cover medical bills if you sustain injuries in a car accident that you caused.
Whether or not you can claim personal injury after causing an accident depends on several factors, including your insurance policy and state laws. Learning more about these details can help you figure out your options if you are ever in this situation.