Helping You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries and Anguish After a Virginia Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
Insurance adjusters know most people are inexperienced with the personal injury claims process. If they see an opportunity to minimize or deny your claim, they’ll take it. Hiring a Virginia car accident lawyer to advocate for your needs levels the playing field. And if the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, an attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC has successfully settled Virginia car accident injury cases of all types, including: rear-end accidents, t-bone accidents, head-on collisions, truck accidents, drunk driving injury, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, guardrail accidents. Contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation at (757)233-0009.
VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER RICHARD SERPE
As a Virginia personal injury attorney, Richard Serpe advocates for those injured due to the negligence of another person, dangerous product, or company. A substantial portion of his 37-year legal career has been devoted to representing and protecting injured children. He’s earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case he takes on. Richard Serpe has a track record of success in obtaining favorable settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Awards and Recognition
- Best Lawyers® : (2005 – Present)
- Super Lawyer : (2006 – Present)
- Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent Rating
- Avvo.com: Rated 10/10 – “Superb”
HOW A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP
Here are a few ways a Virginia car accident attorney can use their legal education and experience to add value to your claim:
- Investigate your accident and determine the potential value of your claim
- Protect you from abusive insurance company tactics and costly mistakes
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a favorable financial recovery
- File a lawsuit and go to trial if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement
Hiring an experienced professional can help ensure you are fairly and fully compensated for injuries. Contact our Virginia car accident lawyers for a free consultation at (877) 544-5323.
VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS
Many factors go into the calculation of a Virginia personal injury settlement. The most important is whether there is insurance coverage and how much is available for your injuries. Depending on the specifics of your Virginia car accident, you may be entitled to one or more of the following types of financial recovery.
- Medical Bills: Compensation for any medical care related to the car accident. If your injuries are permanent, this often includes ambulance rides, hospital bills, physical therapy, surgeries, and future medical bills.
- Lost Income: Some car accidents result in injuries that leave victims out of work for weeks, months, or even permanently. You may seek compensation to recover those lost wages. If you can no longer work due to your injuries, these financial losses can be negotiated into the settlement.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical and mental anguish you suffered due to the accident can also be factored into your settlement.
- A Wrongful Death: When a loved one is killed in a car accident, they leave behind bills, funeral costs, and the loss of future income for their family. Of course, their loss is felt emotionally as well. This loss of companionship and affection is priceless. A Virginia personal injury lawyer experienced with Virginia wrongful death cases can protect your family’s right to financial recovery.
EXAMPLES OF VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS
- $5,000,000.00 settlement: defective vehicle causes wrongful death
- $1,600.000.00 settlement: drunk driving accident on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
- $300,000.00 settlement: drunk driver strikes pedestrian in Norfolk
- $150,000.00 settlement: teen texting and driving causes a car accident
HOW LONG WILL MY AUTO ACCIDENT CASE TAKE?
Many factors determine how long it will take to settle a car accident case. Below are some of the most time-consuming aspects of a car accident case.
- Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement. When injuries are less severe, many people reach maximum medical improvement in months. If you are seriously injured, it may take years to reach maximum medical improvement– the point at which your medical condition is as good as it’s going to get. Reaching MMI before starting negotiations will ensure that your medical bills, past and future, are included in your settlement. You may need surgery, physical therapy, and other medical treatment depending on your injuries.
- Negotiations. Next comes negotiation. Your Virginia car accident lawyer, seeking the maximum compensation possible, will work with the insurance company to land on a number that satisfies both parties. This process can be time-consuming and may result in your attorney filing a lawsuit if the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement.
- Trial. Most of our cases are settled without going to trial. But, if an agreement cannot be reached, we may need to file a lawsuit. Although filing a lawsuit kick starts a strict legal process, the opportunity to settle out of court still exists.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (DEADLINES)
In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a Virginia car accident injury lawsuit. In many cases, Virginia provides a two-year deadline, also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances may apply that can alter that deadline.
Once the statute of limitations has passed, you will never again be allowed to ask for compensation related to your accident and injuries. Consider contacting a Virginia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
COMMON CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS IN VIRGINIA
Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which can be attributed to human error. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents, with activities like texting, talking on the phone, or even eating taking the driver’s attention away from the road. Another common cause is speeding, as driving above the speed limit reduces the driver’s ability to react to sudden changes on the road. Impaired driving, whether due to alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, significantly impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to a higher risk of accidents. Reckless driving behaviors such as aggressive maneuvering, tailgating, and running red lights also contribute to a significant number of accidents.
Other common causes of car accidents include: following too closely, failure to yield, fatigued driving, and defective vehicles.
COMMON CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES
Car accidents can be incredibly hard on the body. Even when you’re wearing your seatbelt, injuries can happen. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: This is the common term used to describe tendon, muscle, and ligament injuries that happen in car accidents. Car crashes cause the body to move suddenly and unexpectedly – faster than you would ever move on your own. That kind of trauma can cause muscle strain and other soft tissue damage.
- Cuts and Scrapes: The impact of a car accident can cause a person to hit their head against the dashboard, have their phone fly at their face, or be struck by other loose articles in the vehicle. Scrapes and cuts aren’t just painful; in many cases, they can cause serious scarring that leaves a person with the physical reminder of their accident for the rest of their life.
- Head Wounds: Brain injuries are another common type of car accident injury. When not treated properly, brain injuries can cause serious, long-term issues with brain function. Headaches and sleep trouble are common for those who experience car accident head wounds. Brain injuries are some of the hardest kinds of injuries to diagnose.
- Broken Bones: Broken ribs, arms, legs, and hips are all common car crash injuries. Collisions place an unnatural degree of force on the body, often leading to painful breaks. These kinds of injuries are common in all types of car accidents but are especially frequent in rear-end and side-impact crashes.
VIRGINIA CAR CRASH STATISTICS
A hard look at Virginia car crash statistics can be incredibly revealing. In 2020 alone, more than 100,000 collisions occurred on Virginia roads and highways. That year, 847 fatalities were recorded. Even with fewer cars on the road because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of deadly accidents rose by 2.4 percent. Alcohol and speed-related crashes were also on the rise in 2020.
On average, a car crash happens in Virginia every five minutes. On average, about two lives are lost each day because of such incidents. Another 144 people are injured in accidents in Virginia each day. Crashes are more likely on holidays, with Labor Day weekend leading the pack. In 2020 alone, more than 751 injuries were caused by car accidents over Labor Day weekend.
While we imagine highways to be incredibly dangerous places to drive, non-interstate roads were more likely to be the setting of Virginia car crashes. Indeed, only about 16 percent of accidents in 2020 occurred on highways and interstates.
Two thousand twenty-one statistics have not yet been calculated, but the 2020 trends alone display a disturbing rise in fatal accidents. By understanding our risks on the road, we can all work to make our state a safer place to live and drive.
FINDING THE BEST VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
Finding the right car accident lawyer for your case is crucial. Here are some steps you can take to help you find the right attorney:
- Ask for referrals: Start by asking friends, family members, or colleagues if they have any recommendations for car accident lawyers they trust. Personal referrals can be valuable because they are based on real experiences.
- Research online: Conduct a search online for car accident lawyers in your area. Read reviews, check their websites, and explore their areas of expertise. Look for lawyers who have experience and a track record of success in handling Virginia car accident cases.
- Check their credentials: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in Virginia. You can typically check this information on the website of your state’s bar association or regulatory authority.
- Consider specialization: Look for lawyers who specialize in Virginia personal injury law or specifically handle Virginia car accident cases. Specialized lawyers are more likely to have in-depth knowledge and experience in handling car accident claims.
- Evaluate experience: Consider the lawyer’s experience in handling Virginia car accident cases. An experienced lawyer will have a better understanding of the complexities involved in Virginia car accident claims.
CONTACT OUR VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT LAW FIRM
For more than 37 years, Richard Serpe has represented victims of personal injuries and dangerous products. Mr. Serpe has earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case. Richard Serpe is frequently associated with complex litigation, managing cases with difficult scientific and medical issues.
NO LEGAL FEES UNLESS WE WIN
Insurance companies have deep pockets and tremendous resources. Our law firm understands that the costs associated with a lawsuit can be a barrier to justice. This is why we offer a no-fee promise. Ultimately, you don’t owe us any legal fees unless we settle or win your personal injury case. If we accept your case, we will work on your behalf to get a fair settlement and only charge legal fees if you receive a settlement or verdict. Call our Virginia car accident lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your situation.
COMMON VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT LOCATIONS
- Interstate 64 (I-64): Connects the Hampton Roads region with Richmond and Charlottesville, running east-west across the state.
- Interstate 66 (I-66): Connects the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with Northern Virginia, passing through Arlington and Fairfax County.
- Interstate 81 (I-81): Runs along the western part of the state, serving cities such as Winchester, Harrisonburg, Roanoke, and Bristol. It extends from Tennessee to New York.
- Interstate 95 (I-95): A major north-south interstate that runs along the eastern part of Virginia, connecting Richmond, Fredericksburg, and the Northern Virginia area. It is part of the Atlantic Coast Route and extends from Miami, Florida, to Houlton, Maine.
- Interstate 295 (I-295): A bypass route around Richmond that connects I-95 north of the city with I-64 east of the city.
- Interstate 395 (I-395): Connects the District of Columbia with Northern Virginia, passing through Arlington County and merging with I-95 at the Springfield Interchange.
- Interstate 195 (I-195): A short highway connecting downtown Richmond with I-64 and I-95.
- Interstate 581 (I-581): A spur route that connects I-81 with downtown Roanoke.
- U.S. Route 13 (US-13): Runs along the eastern coast of Virginia, serving cities such as Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.
- U.S. Route 17 (US-17): A major north-south highway that runs through eastern Virginia, connecting cities such as Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, and Fredericksburg.
- U.S. Route 29 (US-29): Runs north-south through Virginia, connecting Danville, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Culpeper.
- U.S. Route 58 (US-58): An east-west highway that runs across southern Virginia, connecting cities such as Emporia, Suffolk, and Martinsville.
- U.S. Route 460 (US-460): Connects the cities of Norfolk and Suffolk with Lynchburg and Roanoke in western Virginia.
- State Route 288 (SR-288): A limited-access highway in the Richmond metropolitan area, providing a bypass route around the city.
- State Route 7 (SR-7): Runs east-west through Northern Virginia, connecting Winchester, Leesburg, and Falls Church with the Washington, D.C. area.
VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT RESOURCES
Car accidents in the United States continue to be a significant cause of injuries and fatalities, posing a major concern for public safety. According to recent statistics, there were approximately 6.7 million car accidents reported in 2022, resulting in an alarming number of injuries. Over 2.7 million people sustained non-fatal injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe trauma requiring hospitalization and rehabilitation. Sadly, the impact of these accidents extended beyond injuries, as the year witnessed approximately 35,000 fatalities.
