Who Pays for Damages When You Are Hit By An Illegal Immigrant Who Is Drunk?

A tragic story in Prince William has brought up many questions and concerns. 

On August 1, 2010, 66-year-old Jeanette M. Mosier, a Catholic nun also known in her Benedictine Order as Sister Denise Mosier, was hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver.  It turns out that the driver, Carlos A. Martinelly Montano, is in the country illegally. 

This was Mr. Montano’s third DUI in five years.  He is now being charged with involuntary manslaughter.

While this sad story has ignited heated debate regarding immigration policies, it has also left people wondering what happens when you are hit and injured by an illegal immigrant.   There is a strong likelihood that Mr. Montano had no insurance or only minimal coverage, due to the fact that he had been convicted of drunk driving before. 

All too often, people are hit and either killed or injured in Virginia car accidents. Many of these accidents involve motorists who have little to no insurance. That means that there may not be enough insurance to even cover the claim. The insurance that would apply in these types of situations is underinsured motorist coverage.  In fact, underinsured motorist coverage was designed for this specific circumstance and can help offset damages resulting from an accident.

I explain all of this in my book, Buying Car Insurance in Virginia, which can be ordered free at theinsurancebook.com.

We also provide free car insurance reviews.  All you have to do is fax our office at 703-783-0686.