According to a Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office report, car accidents resulted in 819 deaths and 66,523 injuries across the Commonwealth in 2018. These accidents often are the result of negligence, including speeding, disobeying traffic signals, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or fatigued or distracted driving. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving alone, which includes talking and texting on a cell phone, was the cause of 3,166 deaths across the country in 2017.
Experienced Car Accident Attorneys
Even minor car accidents can have serious physical consequences; however, injuries such as those to the neck and back may not immediately be apparent. Whether the collision is major or minor, it is important to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer right away.
At The Johnson Injury Firm, we handle more than 250 auto accident cases per year and can advise you on your legal rights and the compensation you may be able to receive for damages, such as doctors’ visits, hospital admissions, physical therapy (past and future), lack of transportation, lost wages (past and future), pain and suffering, and wrongful death.
With an extensive network of professional resources at our disposal, our attorneys establish negligence, prove the extent of your injuries and the medical costs involved, calculate loss of earning capacity now and in the future, and even have experts testify regarding your emotional damage, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
Types of Fault in Car Accidents:
Including, but not limited to:
- Speeding
- Recklessness
- Drug and alcohol use
- Being distracted
- Fatigue
Being uninsured is another form of carelessness.
What to Do after a Car Accident
The steps an injured victim takes after an accident go a long way to determining whether the motorist can receive compensation in a settlement. At our firm, we recommend that motorists take the following steps after a crash.
Exchange personal and insurance information with the other driver. Make sure to get his or her name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurer information.
Take pictures of all damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. This means walking around every vehicle and taking pictures from many different angles. You can use your smartphone or the phone of someone else.
Identify who witnessed the accident. These can include passengers in your vehicle, other motorists on the road, or people standing on the sidewalk. Get their names and contact information. They probably saw something important and can testify as to how the accident unfolded.
Never admit fault. This would be a disaster in Virginia. Our state still recognizes contributory negligence as a bar to lawsuits. If you say anything that makes it sound like you are even 1% responsible for the accident, then you could give up your ability to sue for compensation.
Seek immediate medical treatment. If someone was badly hurt, then calling an ambulance should have been your first priority. Otherwise, everyone in your car should go to the doctor to get checked out.
Tip: Important Info About Insurance Settlements
If the insurance company of the person at fault makes you a settlement offer, accepting that insurance check may terminate your personal injury claim now and in the future. This is because all settlements come with a release of claims. When you sign this release, you give up the ability to bring a lawsuit in the future for more compensation.
Consequently, you need to maximize your settlement now. A fair settlement should include enough money to compensate for:
- Medical bills, including all future medical treatment. If you were permanently disabled, then you might need ongoing care.
- Lost wages, including lost future wages. Someone with a disability probably cannot return to their job, or they might have to take a lower paying one.
- Property damage, for damage to your vehicle.
- Pain and suffering, which can be considerable. Permanent or disfiguring injuries cause devastating pain and embarrassment, which Virginia law allows victims to receive compensation for.
Before signing on the dotted line, let a lawyer look at the settlement. It is sometimes possible to negotiate for a larger amount of compensation.
Reach Out to a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Today
Contact The Johnson Injury Firm to help evaluate your options and make the best decision regarding your personal injury case. We are never more than a phone call away and offer a free consultation, so there is no risk to speaking with one of our lawyers.