Virginia hazardous roadway attorneys

Holding the right people accountable for unsafe Virginia roads that cause wrecks

When roads aren’t safe, people can get hurt. Thousands of drivers and their passengers are injured or killed each year due to debris left in the roads, and other unsafe driving conditions.

In Virginia, truck drivers, their employers, and others may be held responsible for injuries caused by debris that falls off vehicles.

Similarly, government organizations and private contractors may be held responsible for faulty road conditions, such as a missing guardrail, other missing signs, or confusing signage. After all, they are responsible for maintaining safe roads.

In either case, you may be able to recover damages.

However, strict filing deadlines have to be met, and complex legal issues have to be managed, particularly when you are pursuing a claim against government officials in Virginia. That’s why it’s important to contact an outstanding Virginia car accident attorney as soon as possible.

The experienced lawyers at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys will file a claim against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries. We bring you big city experience, and small town care. We’ve worked for big insurance companies, in big cities, and as trial lawyers. Now we are proud to serve our neighbors here in Virginia with our experience and expertise.

Call us at (804) 413-6777 to schedule a FREE consultation today.

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What are the dangers of roadway debris?

Debris on highways is a big problem. In a recent year, 51,000 crashes were caused by road debris, resulting in more than 10,000 injuries and 440 fatalities in the United States, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The problem is that when a driver suddenly encounters a large object, he may swerve suddenly, creating a collision that harms people in one or more vehicles. But if the driver crashes into the object, the impact may cause catastrophic injuries for everyone in his.

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What types of objects and substances cause wrecks and injuries?

Debris that falls out of trucks and other vehicles is often too large to avoid. And falling liquid, sand, or gravel may cause cars to lose traction. Another problem is toxic chemicals that spill out of tanker trucks.

Stray objects and substances that cause wrecks, injuries and deaths include the following:

• Tires
• Furniture
• Livestock
• Lumber
• Liquids
• Bumpers
• Noxious chemicals
• Sand, rocks, and gravel
• Construction materials
• Tools and equipment

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Who is responsible for keeping roads safe in Virginia?

The owner of a road is responsible for keeping it safe. But in Virginia, an age-old legal concept known as sovereign immunity makes it difficult to hold government officials accountable.

Sovereign immunity goes back to the days of kings and queens in England, and it basically says that it’s difficult to file a claim against our own government.

If you do file a claim against our government, though, it’s important to know that you have to file notice within six months, or you could forfeit the right to ever file a claim for your injuries at all. However, the Virginia Tort Claims Act provides an option for compensation for certain types of claims of negligence against the Commonwealth of Virginia. Proof of “gross negligence” by a government actor may also be an exception to the sovereign immunity bar against suits against the government.

It’s also important to find a personal injury lawyer with the experience to take on government officials in Virginia.

In addition to government officials, you may also be able to file a claim against private contractors who were hired to perform road construction or repairs.

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What are common road hazards in Virginia?

Road hazards that frequently cause accidents in Virginia include:

• Potholes
• Drop-offs
• Ice and snow
• Uneven shoulders
• Missing road signs
• Missing reflectors
• Missing guardrails
• Slippery surfaces
• Confusing detours or directions
• Foliage that obscures traffic signs and signals

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What types of compensation can I recover following a wreck caused by hazards in the road?

A personal injury claim for roadway hazards includes the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses
• Time missed from work
• Pain and suffering
• Medical devices
• Wheelchair access for your home
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Assisted living care
• Wrongful death

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How can a Virginia personal injury attorney help me after a wreck caused by unsafe roads?

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we know how to take on the big insurance companies and win. Our partners, John Singleton and Ken Gibson, are former U.S. Marines, who consider it a calling to help people who have been harmed by the careless actions of others.

We will pursue every available avenue to help you get the money you need to put your life back together after an accident involving an unsafe road in Virginia. And we’re always prepared to go to court if the other side isn’t willing to make a reasonable offer.

Further, at GibsonSingleton, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. We call it our Zero Fee Guarantee.

Call (804) 413-6777 for a free consultation to learn more about your best options today.

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