It is not often that you think about what would happen if you were hurt or killed in a car accident, but a recent story has caused many people to ponder this sad thought.
On August 1, 2010, Jeannette M. Mosier, a Catholic nun known as Sister Denise Mosier, was hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver. She was sitting in the back seat on her way from Richmond, when Carlos A. Martinelly Montano struck the car she was riding in. He was allegedly drunk at the time of the Prince William County crash.
It turns out that Mr. Montano is an illegal immigrant, which has sparked a lot of debate regarding immigration policies. This was his third drunk driving count in five years.
This awful story has also brought forth questions regarding what happens when a drunk driver who is an illegal immigrant hits you. Chances are Mr. Montano didn’t have car insurance at the time of the accident, especially since he had been accused before of drunk driving.
In Virginia, it is not uncommon for a driver to operate a vehicle with little to no insurance coverage. So, what happens in these cases? Generally, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage would come into play. This coverage is designed to cover accident claims in the event that the negligent driver doesn’t have insurance (or not enough insurance).
Fairfax accident attorney Ben Glass discusses insurance in his informative book, Buying Car Insurance in Virginia, The book is free for Virginia residents.
Are you wondering if you have enough insurance coverage? You can also fax your insurance policy to Ben Glass for a free review. The fax number is 703-783-0686.
