New Kent County personal injury attorneys

Helping the people of New Kent County and their visitors

New Kent County, like many counties in the original 13 colonies, is significant to U.S. history. Established in 1654, New Kent is home to many interesting buildings, including St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where George and Martha Washington were married. In fact, St. Peter’s is often referred to as “the church of the First Lady,” and it still holds services.

But New Kent County isn’t just a place to learn about Virginian history. Those lucky enough to live or visit here can enjoy wineries, golfing, and even horse racing at the Colonial Downs. If you want to spend the day relaxing in the sun by a cool river, you’re in luck. Three rivers run through or near New Kent County. The York, Chickahominy, and Pamunkey rivers have amazing beaches and offer great swimming, fishing, and water sports. For those seeking more exercise, scenic biking trails that crisscross the county offer endless fun.

However, accidents happen everywhere, even in New Kent. Boats run ashore or flip over, cars and bikes collide, and people enter undermaintained buildings and trip over loose floorboards. Even a small fall can land you in the hospital.

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we care about our neighbors in New Kent County. If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may need a helping hand to get you the compensation you deserve. Give us a call, and we’ll give you your best options.

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Preventing boating accidents – what can you do?

With so many amazing rivers and lakes around, it’s no wonder boating is so popular in New Kent. Unfortunately, boats can be dangerous when they’re not operated correctly, and New Kent has had its share of boating tragedies. When accidents happen on the water, it can be difficult to get help in time. The accident may not be discovered for hours, and first responders may be delayed by hazardous conditions.

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we try to prevent accidents from ever happening. To that end, here are our top five boating safety tips for our New Kent friends and visitors. Taking these steps won’t guarantee your safety, but these steps can reduce your chances of getting injured.

• Use life preservers: All boaters, no matter how strong a swimmer, should wear a life preserver while on-board. These devices may end up saving your life if the boat capsizes, or if you fall overboard.
• Keep a close eye on children: Taking your child onto a scenic river can be a wonderful experience. But children can be impulsive and may not think about the dangers on a boat. Be sure to keep children in your view at all times.
• Be aware of the weather: Water can become choppy and dangerous quickly when the winds pick up. Bad weather can spell disaster for those out boating. Always check the weather forecast before you leave the shore, and watch the sky at all times. If it starts to darken, turn back and get to safety.
• Don’t drink alcohol and go boating: Never operate a vehicle, especially a boat, while drinking. If you want to enjoy a few adult beverages while on New Kent’s amazing waterways, be sure to ask a friend to be your designated boat driver, just as you would in a car.
• If you see something, say something: If you notice other boaters behaving erratically or appearing to be intoxicated, contact local authorities as soon as possible. You may end up saving those boaters’ lives.

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How can you avoid car and bike accidents?

The rivers aren’t the only danger in New Kent. Like most rural areas in Virginia, the county has its share of roads that are tight, curved, and undermaintained. While locals may know which areas require extra caution, visitors likely don’t.

There were nearly 600 car accidents in New Kent County in the most recent year for which statistics are available, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. That’s more than one wreck per day. Half of those wrecks resulted in injuries; and three were fatalities. Unfortunately, no matter how defensively and responsibly you drive, you can’t prevent someone else from becoming distracted, intoxicated, or fatigued while driving.

Even when you’re riding a bike, you could become involved in an auto accident. Biking is popular thanks to the numerous paths in New Kent County. Most locals know to look out for bicyclists, but visiting drivers may not. Because of how quietly bikes move, a driver not paying close enough attention can miss a bicyclist who’s right next to them and cause an accident. Because bicyclists have almost no protection other than their helmets, they can suffer catastrophic injuries when they’re hit by a car.

If you are biking in New Ken County, always be sure to wear a helmet, because it may be able to save your life. And be sure to closely watch any cars near you, especially if the driver is behaving erratically. If you have been injured by a reckless driver, contact an experienced bike injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. We will work aggressively for you.

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Personal injury claims and compensation – can you get compensation?

When it comes to personal injury cases, you can recover two kinds of costs. Economic costs include any financial losses or burdens you have had as a result of your injuries. These can extend from property damage to medical bills to lost wages. Economic costs can be difficult to dispute if you present the proper evidence, so be sure to keep all documents related to your accident, especially bills.

The second kind is non-economic costs. While recovering from an accident is often a huge financial burden, other traumas can be present that you should be compensated for as well. For example, you may be dealing with a lower quality of life, the inconvenience of replacing your car and going to medical appointments, psychological trauma, or a great deal of pain and suffering. Non-economic costs can be more difficult to quantify, because they have no obvious monetary value. But a skilled attorney can show how much you have suffered because of the at-fault party’s actions, and demonstrate that you are owed compensation for that suffering.

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Serving our neighbors in New Kent County

Our firm is located in Gloucester County, just across the York River from New Kent. That means you aren’t just another potential client to us -- you’re our neighbor. In Virginia, we help out when our neighbors are in need.

At GibsonSingleton, we want to help you get the payment you deserve from the person or company that caused your injuries. Contact us today at (804) 413-6777, and discover how we can help you. It’s free to meet with us, and you won’t owe us anything until your case is won.

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