A car crash occurs every four minutes on our state’s roads, as reported by the Virginia Highway Safety Office. In too many cases, these incidents are not actually “accidents.” They are the results of negligent, reckless acts by careless people. At Marks & Harrison, our Richmond car accident lawyers believe these drivers need to be held accountable. We also believe that their victims deserve full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Insurance companies are out to protect their dollars. That means aggressive action needs to be taken to protect car accident victims’ rights. Marks & Harrison can help. As one of the oldest and largest personal injury law firms in Virginia, we have the skill, experience, and resources to stand up to insurance companies and seek the compensation you deserve.
We feature nine offices located throughout Virginia, including our headquarters in Richmond. We can provide a free and confidential consultation today. We will review the facts of your case and discuss all options available to you. Call or reach us online to get started with an expert car accident lawyer now.
Negligence Causes Car Accidents in Richmond and Across Virginia
Driving in Virginia is as dangerous as ever. Virginia automobile crashes, fatalities, and injuries all increased in the past year, the Highway Safety Office reports. Statistics show that more than 120,000 crashes occurred on our streets and highways, including nearly 5,000 in Richmond.
These wrecks resulted in 764 deaths and 63,382 injuries. Why? That’s a good question. The answer is complex. At Marks & Harrison, we know that the main factor behind car accidents is negligence. Many drivers fail to fulfill a duty of care that they owe to others on the road. Negligent driving can take many different forms, including the following:
Speeding – Speed plays a role in nearly 25,000 Virginia wrecks each year, statistics show. Breaking the speed limit and causing an accident is automatically deemed negligence. But other types of speeding are dangerous too. For instance, a person may drive too fast in conditions such as rain, fog, ice, sleet, snow, or smoke.
Reckless Driving – A driver clearly shows no regard for others’ safety when they zoom through a red light or stop sign at an intersection, make dangerous passes on two-lane roads, or race other cars on the road.
Drunk Driving – Today, we have strong anti-drunk driving laws, heavy law enforcement, and heightened public awareness campaigns, including many that our state participates in. Still, drunk drivers continue to cause accidents. Last year alone, nearly 8,500 alcohol-related crashes occurred in Virginia. Many of these involved drivers with blood-alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08. But driving after even one drink is unsafe.
Drugged Driving – Just as serious as drunk driving is the problem of people getting behind the wheel after consuming illegal drugs or prescription drugs. These substances impair one’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drug use among fatally injured drivers jumped by 13 percent during a recent three-year period.
Distracted Driving – Talking on a cell phone and texting while driving cause a rising number of car accidents across the U.S. In fact, the NHTSA says that distracted driving kills 5,500 and injures 450,000 nationally each year
Fatigued Driving – The NHTSA says that nearly 56,000 sleep-related car crashes occur annually. They cause nearly 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths. Fatigued driving isn’t just falling asleep at the wheel. It’s also being so tired that a person lacks the alertness needed to drive safely.
Another form of carelessness is driving without any insurance coverage. When a driver causes an accident without any coverage or lacks coverage that can pay for the full extent of a victim’s injuries, one may need to turn to their own insurance company to recover under an uninsured/underinsured (UM / UIM) policy. Get in touch with our Richmond car accident attorney today.
Richmond Car Accident Injury Lawyer
When you come to Marks & Harrison for legal representation in your car accident claim, we go to work right away to determine what caused your accident and who was at fault. We work with forensic engineers to prove fault and with medical professionals to establish the full extent of the injuries you have suffered.
Our dedicated car accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience to negotiate skillfully on your behalf out of court. We also have the trial experience and ability to fight aggressively for our rights in the courtroom if necessary.
Insurance representatives are protecting their own companies by minimizing the amounts paid out in accident claims. With our seasoned accident lawyer on your side, you have a dedicated legal advocate to protect your rights and actively pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Car Crash in Virginia?
After an accident, our firm will explore all possible avenues for recovery or compensation for your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation through:
- Liability insurance coverage of the driver at fault for the accident. Under state law, Motor Vehicle Code 46-2-706, all Virginia drivers are required to pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee, show proof of a surety bond that has been obtained by depositing cash or securities with DMV, obtain a self-insurance certificate from DMV, or carry liability insurance. The minimum required liability policy limits are $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person; $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people; and $20,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Despite state financial responsibility laws, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that 10.1% of Virginia drivers are uninsured. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a driver with no liability insurance – or by a hit-and-run driver – you may be entitled to compensation under the uninsured motorist coverage of your own policy.
- Even if the driver who hit you or caused your accident does carry the minimum liability coverage required by law, $25,000 may not be sufficient to cover your damages. If that is the case, you may be entitled to compensation under your own underinsured motorist coverage.
- Other coverage: Our knowledgeable accident attorneys will review your insurance policy and find any other types of coverage that may be available to you, including comprehensive, collision, and medical coverage.
Contact a Richmond Car Accident Attorney After Your Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Virginia, don’t wait to get help. The quicker you seek out legal assistance, the more likely you are to win compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Contact the Richmond car accident attorneys at Marks & Harrison today.
