Virginia Beach Car Accident Injury Lawyer

Negligence Often Plays a Role in Serious Accidents in Virginia Beach

• Distracted Driving- Texting and driving or talking on the phone while driving are an increasing cause of serious injury accidents in the United States. Statistics have shown that distracted driving is the cause of 5,500 deaths and 450,000 injuries each year.
• Reckless Driving- When drivers intentionally go through a red light or stop sign at an intersection, race other cars on the road or make dangerous passes on two-lane roads, they clearly show no care for others’ safety. This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and can cause a serious motor vehicle accident.
• Fatigued Driving- This is not just falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigued driving also occurs when a person is too tired to drive safely because they lack alertness. In the United States, 56,000 sleep-related car accidents occur annually. They cause nearly 40,000 injuries and 1,150 deaths.
• Speeding- Going over the speed limit and causing an accident is automatically deemed as negligence. But this is not the only kind of speeding. Going too fast for weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or smoke can count as speeding too.
• Drunk Driving- Despite anti-drunk driving laws, heavy law enforcement, and heightened public awareness campaigns, drunk drivers still cause car accidents. Many of the 8,500 alcohol-related crashes in Virginia involved drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of 0.08%.
• Drugged Driving- The problem of people getting behind the wheel after consuming illegal or prescription drugs is just as serious as drunk driving. These substances severely impair one’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover from a Car Accident?

• Pain And Suffering- Pain and suffering is the legal term for the physical and emotional stress caused by an injury. Some damages that might come under this category would be various aches, temporary and permanent limitations on activity, potential shortening of life, depression, or scarring.
• Past Medical Costs- When you are injured in an accident due to negligence, you are entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses from the injuries you suffer in that accident, among other losses. Documentation for expenses such as doctor bills, pharmaceutical bills, nursing services, and more must be provided and show that they were for injuries caused by the accident.
• Future Medical Costs- Typically, future medical costs are needed for serious injuries or long-term chronic conditions that result from the injuries suffered in the accident. You can recover for future medical expenses if you prove that you will need continued medical care because of the injury suffered in the accident, based on the estimated cost of that care. This is done normally with the help of expert medical testimony.
• Lost Wages- Suffering injuries from an accident will require you to take some time off of work, depending on the severity of the injuries. Most accident injuries require months to years to recover, and others never fully recover. Accident victims are entitled to compensation for their lost wages during the time of recovery.
• Funeral Expenses- If a loved one’s life was lost as a result of a car crash, the victim’s family may be able to receive reimbursement for the deceased’s funeral costs as well as grief.

What Can I Do at the Scene of an Accident to Help My Claim?

• Stop immediately as safely as possible
• Call the police as soon as you can
• If there are injuries, call for medical help
• If capable and the scene is safe, take photos of the scene
• Collect information from all drivers involved in the accident
• Cooperate with officers and tell the truth
• Provide insurance information
• Allow medical responders to check for injuries
• If medical responders advise going to the emergency room, do as they say

Common Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents in Virginia Beach

• Whiplash and Neck Injuries- Sudden impact can strain the neck, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)- Concussions and more severe brain trauma can result from forceful crashes, affecting cognitive and motor functions.
• Broken Bones and Fractures- High-impact collisions often cause fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and even the spine.
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis- Serious crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, including damaging the spinal cord, leading to long-term or permanent disability.
• Internal Organ Damage- Blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding and organ injuries, which may require emergency medical attention.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Virginia Beach?

• If the accident involved a government vehicle, you may have a shorter deadline to file a claim.
• Wrongful death cases have a two-year deadline from the date of passing.

What Type of Liability Does Virginia Follow?

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Virginia Beach

Talking With a Car Accident Lawyer in Virginia Beach