Virginia vision loss attorneys

Have you or a loved one lost eyesight due to negligence in Virginia?

Losing your eyesight is traumatic by any measure. Vision lets us interpret the information the world presents, easily and reliably. Losing your vision means losing that ability, which is beyond difficult. Unfortunately, given how vulnerable our eyes are, vision loss from negligence is common.

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we have worked with many clients who have suffered debilitating injuries in accidents that were not their fault. We know how hard it is to adjust to a new disability or impairment. Making your way through life as partially or fully blind will present many new challenges and roadblocks. But with an experienced attorney by your side, you could hold those responsible for your injuries accountable and recover the money you lost from the accident. If you or a loved one has lost your eyesight due to someone else’s negligence, contact our Virginia personal injury lawyers at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 today.

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How vision loss happens

Your eyes are a vulnerable part of your body, made up of soft tissues and delicate cones and rods. That’s why even a simple twist of the head can cause partial vision loss if it is aggressive enough. In our experience, some of the most common causes of vision loss include:

• Auto accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck crashes
• Slip-and-falls
• Boating accidents
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• ATV accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Skull fractures

Because your brain interprets the light that your eyes absorb, a blow to your head can also be enough to permanently alter your vision. In fact, your eyes can be perfectly intact and operating as they are supposed to, but a brain injury can impair your vision. So, a slip-and-fall, while seemingly a small accident, can easily cause you to go partially or completely blind. Alternately, a car collision that sends shrapnel flying everywhere can result in serious lacerations that leave you unable to see out of one or both of your eyes.

The way your vision loss was caused is important to your case, because it helps determine who should be held responsible and if negligence was involved in the accident.

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Different forms of vision loss

Suffering vision loss does not necessarily mean you have gone blind or that you will go blind. The eye is complex, so an injury to the eye is not simple, like a broken arm. A reduced level of eyesight can take many forms, each with its own impact on your day-to-day life. The most common types of vision loss injuries include:

• Double vision
• Partial vision loss
• Complete vision loss or blindness
• Blurred vision
• Damage to the cornea or retina
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Damage to the optic nerve
• Loss of peripheral vision

While some types of vision loss will not have a huge impact, others can force you to make massive changes to your daily life.

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The long-term impacts of vision loss

Vision loss is not easy to recover from. Treatments for different kinds of vision loss range from surgeries to intensive physical therapy. But these treatments may not be effective, or they may not work on your particular injury, which can leave you partially or fully blind permanently.

After suffering from vision loss, you may no longer be able to perform your normal duties at work. While some employers can find you another position that suits your new abilities, not all will be able to. This could mean a complete shift in your career. Your house or neighborhood may not accommodate your disability, meaning you may have to move to a more accessible home to live comfortably. Of course, you will have to deal with the reduced ability to see in everyday life. Things that seemed routine, such as seeing the faces of your loved ones, reading a book, or watching your favorite shows may no longer be clear or possible at all for you. The truth is: losing your eyesight can completely change every aspect of your life.

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Recovering compensation following an eye injury in Virginia

After experiencing a traumatic injury that causes vision loss, getting compensation from the at-fault party is vital. You will have to face huge challenges in your life, and those challenges will cost you a great deal of time, effort, and money. Without proper compensation, you could end up with huge debt and seemingly no way to get out of it. But if you can recover appropriate compensation, you can rest easier, knowing that your ability to adjust to your new life will not be hindered by finances.

The main types of recoverable costs for personal injury claims are economic and non-economic costs:

Economic costs cover all financial losses you suffered as a result of your accident and injuries. That includes medical bills, loss of income, lost job opportunities, and the costs of the disability, which is especially applicable for vision loss injuries.

Non-economic costs include any losses you suffered that do not have a clear monetary value. That means you can recover compensation for things such as pain and suffering and emotional trauma. Recovering compensation for these costs can depend heavily on the attorney you choose to represent you. Insurance adjusters want to pay you as little as possible, and they will do everything they can to get you to take a lowball offer. That’s why you need a skilled Virginia vision loss attorney by your side -- fighting with knowledge and expertise -- to get the compensation you deserve.

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Compassionate legal guidance after a traumatic eye injury

Adjusting to and recovering from vision loss is difficult enough without having to worry about gathering evidence, presenting a case, and negotiating with an insurance adjuster just to receive proper compensation. That’s where we at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys come in. We are devoted Virginia personal injury attorneys with years of experience helping people recover the costs they have lost due to a debilitating injury. We will go to bat for you with the goal of you getting as much compensation as possible. If you or a loved one have suffered from an eye injury or vision loss because of an act of negligence, do not wait to call us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777. We will meet with you for a free, no obligation consultation.

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Additional Information

• 6 ways an airbag can injure you in an accident
• Overview of Eye Injuries - Merck Manual
• Vision Impairment and Blindness - MedlinePlus
• National Eye Institute