Mathews County personal injury lawyers

Should you call our personal injury attorneys for Mathews County after a personal injury?

Mathews County offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the Middle Peninsula, with access to Bethel Beach and New Point Comfort Lighthouse. Shopping for art or antiquing in and around Mathews’ downtown is another enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. And we all enjoy a delicious crabcake at Richardson’s Café, the annual Mathews Market Days in September, and, of course, the fresh seafood caught on various local rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

But even with the amazing scenery, food, and activities, Mathews County has the possibility of accidents and injuries. In fact, almost 90 vehicle accidents happened in the county in 2015, resulting in nearly 60 injuries and one death. That’s out of only 7,000 or so licensed drivers living here, plus visitors. In 2017, more than 180 crashes were recorded, according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office.

All too often, these accidents are caused by negligence, such as someone driving too fast or recklessly. We hope the fear of accidents will not keep you from enjoying all the beauty and fun of Mathews. However, if you or someone you know has suffered an injury in Mathews, you don’t have to handle it alone.

Dealing with insurance companies and deciding if you want to pursue a lawsuit is a lot to consider after a car accident or any accident.

Speak with a knowledgeable and caring Mathews County injury lawyer at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys for legal help. Ken Gibson and John Singleton will always treat you like the neighbor you are, never a number. They bring you a big-city experience with small-town care.

GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys serves our neighbors in Mathews, Virginia, and we work to prevent personal injuries from happening by sharing safety information here. But when a serious accident happens, we consider it a calling to help those who are hurt.

Call us at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777, and let us go to work for you.

Back to Top

^{Photo by Delilah Nelson}

Client Testimonial

"Very professional and understanding. Thank you for everything!"

- Dickie T.

What types of claims do our lawyers serving Mathews County typically handle?

The experienced Mathews County personal injury attorneys at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys help people who have been harmed in different accidents. Some of the most frequent cases we handle include:

• Car accidents take a heavy toll on the victims when drivers engage in careless driving practices like speeding, running stop signs, distracted driving, and DUI.
• Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries and complications than standard car accidents due to the size and weight differences compared to commercial vehicles. Determining liability in truck accidents can be complex, often involving multiple parties, such as the driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, and even maintenance providers.
• Motorcycle accidents pose unique risks and often lead to catastrophic injuries due to the lack of protective barriers for riders. Our lawyers are skilled in handling these complex cases, and we know how to pinpoint the causes of a crash, such as driver negligence, road hazards, and equipment failure.
• Dog bites frequently result in serious injuries, infections, and emotional trauma. Sadly, children are the most frequent victims. Virginia dog owners may be liable for injuries when they fail to take adequate measures to protect others. This includes restraining their pets and abiding by local laws.
• Premises liability happens when businesses, managers, employees, and property owners fail to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors and guests. That means they did not address hazards promptly or failed to provide warning signs for unsafe conditions, such as slippery floors that have recently been mopped. Slip-and-fall accidents, inadequate security, and construction site injuries are common premises liability issues.
• Institutional sex abuse can occur within organizations such as schools and churches or other organizations. Successfully litigating these types of cases requires sensitivity, experience, and a deep understanding of liability laws.

Back to Top

How is liability determined in a Mathews County personal injury claim?

Negligence is a fundamental concept in personal injury law, involving the failure to exercise reasonable care, which results in harm to another person. Duty of care refers to the legal obligation to act in a manner that avoids causing reasonably foreseeable harm to others. A breach of duty occurs when an individual or organization fails to meet their duty of care, resulting in harm.

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we will examine various factors, such as the relationship between the parties and the circumstances of the incident, to determine if a breach in the duty of care occurred. Once a breach of duty is established, we must prove that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries.

Collecting evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, and witness interviews, is crucial in building a strong personal injury claim. Surveillance videos and dash cam footage can visually substantiate claims, showing the events leading up to and during the accident. Photographs of the accident scene, damaged property, and injuries also serve as compelling evidence. Additionally, we frequently seek expert opinions, such as those from accident reconstruction specialists, to help explain complex aspects of a case.

Back to Top

Is compensation available in a Mathews County personal injury claim?

When seeking damages for accident victims, the aim is to provide a compensation package that acknowledges both the tangible and intangible losses endured by the victim.

Economic damages in personal injury cases are intended to compensate victims for quantifiable financial losses from an accident. These damages can cover a wide range of expenses, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and any future medical care required due to the injury. Lost wages are another significant component, accounting for the income the victim would have earned had they not been injured.

Non-economic damages address the intangible—and often deeply personal—losses suffered by victims of personal injury. These damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages do not have a direct monetary value, which makes them more challenging to quantify.

Back to Top

What is the legal process for a Mathews County personal injury case?

The personal injury legal process begins with an initial consultation, where victims meet with a personal injury lawyer from Mathews County to discuss their case. GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys will assess the facts of the accident, the extent of injuries, and the potential for legal action.

After the initial consultation and investigation, the next steps in the personal injury legal process are negotiation and potential litigation. During the negotiation phase, your lawyer will engage with insurance companies and the defendant’s lawyer to seek a fair settlement. This phase involves presenting the gathered evidence, demonstrating the extent of the victim’s losses, and advocating for appropriate compensation.

If negotiations fail to yield a satisfactory outcome, the case may proceed to litigation. In this phase, we file a lawsuit on behalf of the victim, initiating the formal court process. This includes pre-trial motions, discovery, and a possible trial where the evidence is presented before a judge or jury. By preparing thoroughly for both negotiation and litigation, we ensure that our clients are positioned to achieve the best possible outcome.

Back to Top

What is considered a wrongful death claim in Mathews County?

Survivors of a wrongful death victim have the right to file a wrongful death claim in Virginia when a death is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another party, such as a person, organization, or corporation. A wrongful death claim must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate.

Beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim may include the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, and grandchildren’s children. If there is no surviving spouse, children, or grandchildren, other relatives, such as the victim’s siblings and parents, may recover damages.

Damages may include funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the intangible losses that family members have suffered following the death of a loved one. This can include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.

Back to Top

How can you help prevent car, truck, and motorcycle accidents in Mathews County?

With so much to see and do in Mathews County, it can be easy to forget that we need to share the road with drivers, walkers, and bicyclists. Auto accidents are expensive and can result in serious injuries and death. And many of these accidents are completely avoidable, which makes such fatalities even more tragic.

But we can all do our part to prevent wrecks. You can start by obeying all traffic signs (including posted speed limits) and watching for pedestrians and bicyclists. All drivers have a responsibility to share the road with others—for example, we should pass cyclists only when we can do so safely. Also, there are NO stoplights in Mathews County, so be careful.

With so many tourists visiting the area who may not be familiar with their surroundings, it’s also important to watch for distracted drivers and people who could stop or turn suddenly. When you’re driving on weekends and holidays, the risk of intoxicated drivers is higher, so be particularly cautious and report any driver you think might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When trucks are involved in accidents, many people can be injured. So, when traveling alongside large commercial trucks, keep your distance and stay out of their (large) blind spots. The same is true for motorcyclists; maintain a safe distance, keep your eyes open, and give them plenty of room. And if you’re the one on the motorcycle, wear safety gear and be highly visible.

Back to Top

Why should you contact GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys serving Mathews?

If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys wants to help. There’s no fee to talk to us, and if we take your case, we don’t get paid unless we win a settlement or verdict for you.

We bring you a big-city experience with 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 Mathews County with our experience.

Ken Gibson and John Singleton will advocate effectively for you with insurance companies, taking your case to trial, if necessary, to get you full compensation.

Contact our personal injury attorneys serving Mathews County at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777.

Back to Top

Additional Information

• Mathews County, Virginia