Westmoreland County car accident attorneys

Helping car accident victims in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County is an idyllic place on the Potomac River, with rich history and rolling hills. Located in Virginia’s Northern Neck, Westmoreland was the birthplace of President George Washington, President James Monroe, and Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee. The towns of Montross and Colonial Beach are located in Westmoreland County, along with historic homes such as Stratford Hall and Nomini Hall. The county also boasts many tourist attractions, including the Ingleside Plantation Winery, Westmoreland State Park, and the Westmoreland Berry Farm.

But even the most historic of counties can be dangerous. Car accidents happen every day in Virginia, and Westmoreland County is no exception. These crashes can be devastating, especially because help can take longer to arrive, given how spread out the county is.

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Who can I call about a car wreck in Westmoreland County?

If you were in a car accident in Westmoreland County, you may have legal questions. Recovering from a wreck is hard enough. Now you may be concerned about healing from your injuries, paying your medical bills, getting your car fixed, and getting back to work. Filing a personal injury claim on top of all that can be overwhelming.

We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys are here to serve people dealing with the aftermath of a bad accident in Westmoreland County. We can take some of the burden off of you by getting you the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation during which you can find out your best options, call us at (804) 413-6777 today.

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How do many car accidents happen in Westmoreland County?

Given Westmoreland County’s small population, most people think they don’t have to worry about car accidents here. But collisions happen everywhere, even in rural counties. In fact, 166 car accidents happened in Westmoreland in the most recent year statistics were available, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. That’s an accident almost every two days, or three to four accidents a week! Route 3, Route 202, and Route 203, the main roadways through Westmoreland, are particularly dangerous for motorists.

Why are there so many accidents in such a rural area?

Unknown roads: Given Westmoreland’s scenic spot on the Potomac River and all of its fascinating history, it’s a popular place for tourists. People from urban areas enjoy relaxing on the water and seeing historic sites such as George Washington’s birthplace or Stratford Hall. But often visitors don’t know the roads well, which can lead to them hesitating, using a GPS to look up directions, speeding, or just not following local traffic signs and laws.

Tight turns: Many of Westmoreland’s roads were created in America’s early years, some even in the 1600s. These historic roads tend to be winding and narrow; driving on them can be difficult and dangerous. If a driver is not paying attention or drives too close to the center of the road, what started out as pleasant day trip can turn into a disaster.

Low speed limits: Speed limits are lower in rural areas like Westmoreland County to compensate for how tight and twisting the roads can be. To safely drive on these roads, drivers need to go more slowly. However, some people, perhaps used to driving faster, break traffic laws and speed. This can lead to serious collisions, and even more serious injuries.

Poor visibility: In the city or more populated towns, numerus streetlights help keep roads illuminated. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case in rural areas, because they simply don’t have the budget. This means at dawn, dusk, and night, drivers often have less light, making it difficult for them to see the road and stay safe.

Other factors: When it comes to rural areas, other factors can lead to a driver crashing as well, including animals running across the road, bad weather, and poor road conditions.

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What are common car accident injuries?

When car accidents happen, they can seriously hurt people. Collision injuries can require lengthy hospital stays and recovery periods. In our experience as car accident lawyers, the most common car wreck injuries include:

• Crush injuries
• Brain damage
• Fractured bones
• Road rash
• Lacerations
• Eye injuries
• Nerve damage
• Organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Loss of limb

Of course, car accidents can also be fatal. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Westmoreland County, you have our deepest sympathy. You may be feeling lost and alone. If you are worried about how you will support yourself or your family without your loved one, we may be able to help by filing a wrongful death claim. While doing this will not bring your loved one back, it can help you receive compensation for many of the damages you have suffered.

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Who is responsible in a car accident claim?

After suffering in a serious car crash, you may be wondering who is responsible for your damages and injuries. If the accident was not your fault, it certainly is not you. We at GibsonSingleton believe that no one should have to pay for an accident they didn’t cause. In cases of car accidents in Westmoreland County, different parties may be considered liable:

The other driver: Crashes are most often caused by driver negligence. If your accident happened because another driver hit you, or otherwise caused the crash, then he or she would be considered responsible for your bills.

The local government: If your accident was caused by poor road conditions or excessive debris in the road, the local government may be liable for your damages. Each county is responsible for keeping certain roads in good condition and free of debris. However, the statute of limitations for filing a claim against a government is only six months, as opposed to the usual two years. So you should file your claim as soon as possible after your accident.

The manufacturer/mechanic: If a car fails and causes an accident, then either the manufacturer of the car or the mechanic responsible for the car’s upkeep could be liable. Both parties are responsible for making sure that cars are in good, working condition before allowing them to be on the road.

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How do I recover my costs from a car accident?

Once you have determined who the liable party is, you can calculate how much you need to recover in compensation. The first step is figuring out how much you have suffered in economic damages. Economic damages are your financial losses that came directly from the accident. This can include your medical bills, the cost to fix your car, and your lost wages due to medical leave. To calculate how much you are owed in economic damages, you should gather all bills, receipts, and old paystubs related to the accident, and add up the total amount of money you have lost.

Once you have that total, you can move on to your non-economic damages. Non-economic damages cover your non-monetary losses. A serious crash costs you more than just money. You may experience trauma when you suffer severe injuries. That trauma and future trauma related to the accident should be considered when calculating what your settlement should be.

Common kinds of non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. These can be harder to calculate, because emotional trauma doesn’t have a price tag. However, a skilled car accident attorney can walk you through the process and make sure you get the settlement you deserve.

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Call GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys for local help

If you’ve experienced a devastating car accident, filing a claim may be the last thing on your mind. You may be dealing with deep emotional distress, painful injuries, and mounting medical debt. Why would you add a lengthy legal process to that? Well, a claim may be your best bet to recovering the damages you suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

But thankfully, we at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys are here in Gloucester to take on the heavy lifting for you. Let us be the ones to shoulder your legal burden, so that you can recover from your injuries in peace. To speak with a skilled, local Westmoreland County personal injury lawyer, call us at (804) 413-6777 today.

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