Personal Injury Law

Injured Students from McLean Bible Church may Need to Look to Own Insurance

By Ben Glass

Virginia State police are investigating a crash that occurred this past weekend, involving a bus carrying children from McLean Bible Church, in McLean.

According to published reports, at least 10 children and two adults are being treated for injuries sustained when the bus overturned near Bridgewater, Virginia. The driver of the bus had been charged with speeding.

In similar situations in the past, folks involved in accident such as this have had the following questions:

1. Who will pay the medical bills? Answer: in most cases you should use your own health insurance plan first. They may be required to be reimbursed later if there is a recovery against any negligent driver, but doctor bills should not be left unpaid in the interim.

2. What should I do if contacted by an insurance adjuster for any negligent driver. Answer: be polite, don't sign any broad medical authorizations, be aware that your conversation may be recorded.

3. Will I or my child be entitled to a personal injury settlement from the accident. Answer: impossible to say at this point. There is an investigation pending. Folks may want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney but its not absolutely necessary at this point. Folks may want to get and read The Ultimate Guide to Car Accidents in Virginia.  

4. Will I need to contact my own car insurance company? Answer: maybe... your own company may have medical payment benefits that you are paid for and are entitled to. Also, depending on the amount of insurance available to cover any negligent driver and the exent of the injuries suffered by the victims, you may have to make a claim under the underinsured motorist provision of your own policy.

Full post as published by Northern Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer on April 14, 2008 (boomark / email).