Virginia interstate and highway accident lawyers

Experienced attorneys advocate for you after a serious Virginia highway crash

The COVID pandemic caused a decrease in Virginia traffic accidents in 2020. We would naturally expect traffic fatalities to have declined, too, but they actually increased by more than 2 percent over the previous year.

One explanation is that more people were speeding and driving recklessly: speed-related fatalities jumped by 16 percent. The number of people killed in traffic crashes who were not wearing seat belts also increased from the year before.

The moral is that fewer cars on the road does not mean people should drive more recklessly. If you were injured in a crash on an interstate or highway in Virginia, speak to an experienced lawyer: your recovery can be expensive, and you should not have to carry that burden alone.

Reach out to GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777. We have a zero-fee guarantee, meaning you will not be charged unless we recover money for you.

We can sit down with you in a free consultation to go over all your options. We’ve worked for big insurance companies and as trial lawyers. Now, we are proud to serve our neighbors here in Virginia with our unique experience and knowledge.

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What are the traffic crash statistics for 2020 in the Commonwealth of Virginia?

In 2020, more than 105,000 traffic crashes happened in Virginia, according to our Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These accidents caused more than 800 deaths and nearly 53,000 injuries. More than 6,000 of these wrecks were alcohol-related, and another 22,000 were speed-related. Crashes in which speeding was a factor increased by 9.1 percent from the previous year.

As you can see, driver negligence is a major contributing factor in many motor vehicle accidents. Common types of negligence include:

• Distracted driving: Distraction is anything that pulls a driver’s attention away from the road ahead, reducing their ability to safely operate the vehicle. It can include eating, drinking, grooming, talking to passengers, adjusting music, or looking at the GPS. Texting while driving is a common and particularly alarming form of distracted driving because driving requires complete visual, manual, and cognitive attention.
• Impaired driving: It’s illegal everywhere in the United States, including the Commonwealth, to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impairment from drugs is not limited to illegal substances. Even prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair driving ability. Of course, alcohol remains a frequent factor in many fatal accidents in Virginia and across the nation. Remember, just because some possession of marijuana is now legal in Virginia does NOT mean you can be stoned and drive on a public road.
• Fatigued driving: Driving while sleep-deprived can be nearly as dangerous as driving drunk. Nearly 700 people died in fatal drowsy-driving-related crashes in a recent year, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These types of accidents happen most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoon. They often happen on rural roads and highways and may involve a driver running off the road at a high speed.
• Aggressive driving: Aggressive driving is a combination of dangerous driving behaviors. It may include speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, cutting in front of other drivers, and running red lights and stop signs. Aggressive driving is a major concern for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians sharing the roads.
• Unsafe actions by inexperienced drivers: Inexperienced drivers can make errors that put others at risk. For example, an inexperienced driver may not leave a large enough gap in traffic, or they may turn left in front of an oncoming vehicle traveling through an intersection on a green light. Without sufficient experience in judging speed and distance, a new driver may inadvertently cut another vehicle off. This type of beginner’s mistake can lead to serious accidents and injuries.

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What steps should I take to file a highway or interstate accident claim?

Your free consultation with GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys is the first step in filing a highway or interstate accident claim. During this meeting, we will review your case and go over the best strategies for moving forward.

After conducting a thorough investigation, we can file a claim outlining the facts of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and the financial losses you have incurred, including medical expenses and lost wages.

Negotiating with insurance companies is a critical step in the highway accident claim process. Insurance agents will often try to deny claims, or they could make a lowball offer that doesn’t come close to covering your expenses. If the other side refuses to make a reasonable offer, GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys is always prepared to take your case to trial.

During litigation, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf, and the case can proceed to court. GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys can present your case to a judge or jury seeking to secure maximum compensation.

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Are there common scenarios in Virginia that lead to highway and interstate accidents?

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of highway accidents in Virginia. These accidents often occur due to sudden stops or tailgating, where one vehicle follows another too closely. Rear-end collisions can cause significant injuries, including whiplash, spinal damage, and head trauma. Drivers must maintain a safe following distance and stay alert to reduce the risk of these accidents.

Side-impact collisions are often the result of hasty lane changes, unsafe merging, or failure to yield the right of way. The impact typically affects the side of a vehicle, which offers less protection than the front or rear, often leading to severe injuries such as broken bones, internal injuries, and head trauma. To prevent side-impact collisions, drivers should always check blind spots before changing lanes, use turn signals, and obey traffic signals.

Multi-vehicle pileups are more likely to take place when there’s poor weather, such as fog, rain, or ice, which reduces visibility and road traction. That’s why drivers should reduce their speed to match road conditions. Multi-vehicle pileups may cause a chain reaction that results in serious injuries and fatalities for drivers and passengers. The chaotic nature of these accidents makes it challenging to determine fault.

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof, often due to sudden turns, high speeds, or collisions with other vehicles or objects. SUVs and trucks are particularly susceptible to rollovers because of their higher center of gravity. Rollovers can cause crush injuries, amputation, paralysis, and other catastrophic injuries.

Tire blowouts can be sudden and terrifying. They happen when a tire bursts due to factors like excessive wear, improper inflation, or hitting debris on the road. Regular tire maintenance, including tire pressure checks and wear and damage inspections, is essential for preventing blowouts.

Construction zones along the highway present unique hazards that can lead to serious accidents. These areas often feature changing traffic patterns, reduced lanes, and the presence of construction equipment, all of which require drivers to be extra cautious. Inadequate warning signs and sudden stops may catch drivers off guard, increasing the likelihood of collisions. Despite construction zones having reduced speed limits to protect workers and motorists, speeding is still a common cause of construction zone crashes.

Animal crossings are a significant hazard on highways, especially in places like Virginia, where wildlife is abundant. Deer, in particular, are a common cause of such incidents, especially during dusk and dawn when they are most active. The sudden appearance of an animal on the road can cause drivers to brake abruptly or swerve. These maneuvers can result in collisions with other vehicles, rollovers, or running off the road.

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What forms of compensation may be available in highway and interstate accident cases?

Medical expenses are a primary component of compensation in highway and interstate accident claims, including emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and follow-up appointments. Medical expenses also cover diagnostic tests such as X-rays and MRIs, as well as ongoing treatments like physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Lost wages are often a major component of the compensation that victims receive for a highway or interstate accident. This includes your regular salary or hourly wages in addition to any overtime, bonuses, and other forms of compensation you would have earned.

Pain and suffering compensation addresses the non-economic damages resulting from a highway accident. Unlike medical expenses and lost wages, which are quantifiable, pain and suffering encompass the physical pain and emotional distress you endure due to the accident. This may include chronic pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact that the accident has on your day-to-day activities and relationships.

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How does a highway and interstate accident lawyer prove liability?

Collecting the right evidence is a cornerstone of proving liability in a highway or interstate accident claim. At GibsonSingleton, we can gather evidence such as accident scene photos, police reports, eyewitness interviews, and dash cam or surveillance camera videos to build a strong case. Gathering your medical records is also essential, as they document the extent of your injuries and the treatments required. This can establish a direct link between the accident and your medical expenses.

Expert witnesses can also play a pivotal role in proving liability in highway or interstate accident cases. For example, medical experts know how to explain the full extent of your injuries, the necessary treatments, and the long-term implications on your health. Highway engineers, mechanics, forensic specialists, and other experts can also provide information to bolster your case.

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Why do you need a car accident attorney after a highway accident in Virginia?

An experienced Virginia car accident lawyer can calculate the value of your claim using several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your medical treatment, and the amount of income you have lost.

Specifically, at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we can assess the full extent of your losses and secure evidence to show that the other driver was at fault for your accident, and he or she should be expected to pay the price.

If you have been injured in a highway accident through someone else’s negligence, contact us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to schedule your free consultation today. We will always treat you like friends and neighbors—because that’s what you are.

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Recent Interstate and Highway Accident Case Results

DISCLAIMER. Each case is handled based on the individual facts and circumstances of the case. These results are NOT indicative of the outcome of any potential case. All case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case, and these case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by our firm.

• $275,000 Compensation - Woman whose vehicle overturned on an interstate highway was struck and killed in the roadway.
• $100,000 Compensation - Woman suffered a severe injury when another driver crashed into the back of the woman’s vehicle on an interstate highway.
• $90,000 Compensation - Woman's vehicle was struck from behind on an interstate entrance ramp by a negligent driver.
• $71,000 Compensation - Woman was injured when another driver struck her vehicle on a highway.

See more case results here.