Tappahannock Legal Information
If you live in Tappahannock or nearby in Essex County, it is important for you to know where your case may be handled.
In general, personal injury cases involving Tappahannock residents go through the 15th Judicial Circuit, which includes the Essex County Circuit Court on Prince Street in Tappahannock. There are 10 other courts in the Circuit: Caroline, Fredericksburg, Hanover, King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond County, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland.
If you are applying for workers’ compensation benefits, you may need to go to a hearing at the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission regional office in the Tappahannock Municipal Building on Church Lane.
The nearest Social Security Administration field office is located on West Cary Street in Richmond. If you request a hearing in your case, it could be held at the Richmond-based Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.
Tappahannock Car Accident Statistics
Even though you may be a safe driver, you still run the risk of getting into a car accident in Tappahannock and elsewhere in Essex County. As Forbes reports, the average driver should expect to get involved in at least one auto accident roughly every 18 years, or three to four crashes over the course of the person’s lifetime.
As Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) statistics from 2015 indicate, when traffic increases on Virginia roads – due, perhaps, to an improved economy and cheaper gas prices – the risk of car accidents increases as well.
For instance, between 2014 and 2015, the number of licensed drivers and estimated vehicle miles traveled rose by 1.89 percent and 2.45 percent, respectively. During that same period, the state’s total traffic crashes went up by 4.59 percent.
In Essex County, on average, 226 crashes occur each year, including 12 crashes that involve drinking and driving, according to DMV statistics from a recent four-year period. Every year, on average, those auto accidents cause 104 injuries and two deaths, the DMV statistics show.
At Marks & Harrison, we know how these numbers represent people whose lives have been tragically altered or, at the very least, significantly disrupted. We use our firm’s skill, experience and resources to set things right for Tappahannock car accident victims and help them to move on with their lives.
Dangerous Intersections in Tappahannock
Auto accidents can occur anywhere in Tappahannock. You can collide with another vehicle, bicyclist or pedestrian while traveling on a busy highway or when simply backing out of your driveway. However, as a Town of Tappahannock Comprehensive Plan found, some stretches of road in the area pose greater risks than others.
According to the Plan, the primary road with the highest accident and injury rate in Tappahannock is the U.S. 17 corridor. Additionally, a study discussed in the Plan found that eight of the top 11 sites for traffic crashes in Essex County fall within Tappahannock’s town limits, including the county’s top six accident sites.
According to that study, the most dangerous intersections in Tappahannock are:
- Tappahannock Boulevard and Winston Road
- Tappahannock Boulevard and White Oak Drive
- Church Lane and Queen Street
- Tappahannock Boulevard and Richmond Beach Road
- Tappahannock Boulevard and Elm Street.
The Plan also noted the need to improve sidewalk conditions for pedestrians in the Town of Tappahannock and to provide safer access to areas such as schools, recreational areas, shopping facilities and the Essex Public Library on Church Lane.
Some roads and intersections may be dangerous due to poor design and maintenance. However, in reality, most crashes in Tappahannock result from driver negligence. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered harm due to the careless or reckless conduct of another, make Marks & Harrison your first call.
Types of Tappahannock Car Accidents Our Law Firm Handles
As one of the largest personal injury law firms in Virginia, Marks & Harrison has the resources to handle a wide range of auto accidents. We assist individuals and families in cases that involve:
- Tractor-trailer accidents
We know how to promptly investigate these crashes and ensure that important evidence gets preserved and collected. We also understand state and federal trucking regulations that often play a role in determining the negligence of truck drivers and trucking companies. - Motorcycle accidents
Our attorneys vigorously protect the rights of motorcyclists who suffer harm in crashes. We know how careless drivers often fail to keep a proper lookout for motorcycles or to respect the rights of motorcyclists to share the road. - Pedestrian injury accidents
Our law firm understands the devastating injuries that people in Tappahannock suffer when they are hit by a car while biking or walking. We know how to tackle the many unique issues these cases often present, including cases that involve hit-and-run accidents.
Marks & Harrison features a former insurance claims adjuster on our team as well as investigators who are former law enforcement officers. We know how to efficiently and comprehensively investigate auto accidents in Tappahannock and how use to use our investigations to seek the maximum amount for clients who have been harmed by drivers who engaged in negligence acts such as:
We also have experience with cases that involve accidents caused by faulty equipment, including rollovers. Reach us today to discuss your case in a free consultation.
How Our Tappahannock Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
You can meet with an experienced car accident lawyer from Marks & Harrison at our Tappahannock office or at a location that is more convenient for you, including your home or the hospital. Our free consultation will allow us to learn more about your crash and give you the opportunity to learn more about the services we can provide to you and your loved ones.
As we will explain in a greater detail during a consultation, Marks & Harrison will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for you, including damages that may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages (if you lost a family member)
- Punitive damages (if the person who harmed you engaged in willful or wanton misconduct).
Above all, we will protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies who are out to deny or minimize the amount you receive. We will directly deal with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery. We also will negotiate with the insurance companies to seek all compensation that you deserve. If an insurer refuses to agree to a full and fair settlement of your claim, our law firm will be ready to aggressively pursue damages for you at trial.
We represent car accident victims and their families in Tappahannock on a contingency fee basis.
So, you will pay no upfront costs or legal fees unless and until we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf. Contact us today to discuss your case.