What You Need To Know About

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  What Is the Legal Definition of a Car Accident in Virginia Beach?

  A car accident is defined as any incident involving a motor vehicle colliding with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object on Virginia roads. Some car accidents may involve more than one vehicle and result in serious injuries, property damage, or death of a driver or passenger. Lately, some advocacy groups in the United States have been pushing lawmakers to review this definition of accident cases and create a distinction between a car crash/collision and a car accident, arguing that merging the two lessens the brutality of the negligent behavior of the driver who’s at fault.

  These groups further argue that when intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted drivers get behind the wheel, they make a conscious decision. So, when these drivers hit a pedestrian, or another car, or damage property, it can’t be considered an accident. These road safety advocates want the phrase “car accident” to refer to a traffic collision that’s completely faultless.

  Until these legal amendments are realized, the general definition applies to both car accident cases. Here are the main types of car accidents that occur in Virginia:

  Head-on Car Collision

  A head on car accident is one of the most dangerous types of car accidents that happen in Virginia. This car accident happens when the front of your vehicle strikes the front of another vehicle. Most head-on collision car accidents result in fatalities and serious injuries due to the tremendous force of the two vehicles speeding in opposite directions. In these accidents, it’s possible for both drivers to be held liable.

  Side-Impact Car Accident

  This type of Virginia car accident usually happens in two ways: broadside and T-bone collisions caused by a driver while in traffic. A broadside collision happens when the sides of two cars collide, while a T-bone collision occurs when the front of one car collides with the side of another. These types of accidents typically occur when one driver is making a left or right hand turn into traffic.

  Rear-End Car Accident

  This type of collision happens when the front or rear of one car strikes the rear of another. While this car accident may not cause as many fatalities as a head-on collision, it usually causes serious neck injuries in victims, commonly referred to as whiplash.

  Rollover Car Accident

  A rollover car accident normally happens when a driver loses control of a vehicle and rolls end-over-end. This car accident can occur when you collide with another vehicle or a static object, or when you swerve to avoid hitting a pedestrian. This type of car accident can cause serious injury to the driver of the vehicle.

  Types of Injuries From Car Accidents in Virginia

  Car accidents in Virginia can vary considerably and cause physical and mental injuries, which can take substantial time to recover from. Minor injuries, which incur medical expenses and often lost income, include fractures and lacerations. However, more serious injuries can include nerve damage with permanent repercussions, spinal damage, head injuries, multiple breaks or fractures, blood loss, and even paralysis of victims in the most dangerous collisions.

  The most common car accident injuries in Virginia are burns, traumatic brain injury, back injuries, and damage to internal organs, all of which are extremely serious and give rise to significant personal injury claims. Other car accident injuries may not be immediately obvious but can include emotional distress, anxiety, and long-term post-traumatic conditions.

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  What Damages Can I Claim in a Virginia Beach Car Accident Case?

  Many car accident victims undervalue their expenses, which can include various costs and outgoings arising from the car accident. Examples of personal injury damages and car accident claims include:

  • Lost income from being unable to work while recovering from injuries
  • Damage to personal property, including a replacement vehicle and other belongings, or damage caused to a residence
  • Medical expenses, comprising emergency injury care, rehabilitation, ongoing pain therapies, and stress-related care
  • Travel costs when a claimant needed to purchase a new vehicle or finance their travel while a vehicle is being repaired following a car accident
  • Trauma and mental health impacts caused by the car accident, such as emotional stress and post-traumatic stress disorder

  There may be other factors to build into your car accident personal injury claim in Virginia, including punitive damages awarded to the victim. Our experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyers can help you navigate the claim calculation process in greater detail once they have an understanding of the background details and severity of the car accident.

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  Who Is Liable for Virginia Car Accidents?

  Liability for the damages caused by accidents in Virginia must be proven, which is one of the primary roles of your attorney and the investigatory team at your selected firm. This includes establishing the facts of the case, presenting background evidence, and determining culpability for the damages or injuries resulting from a car accident. Virginia legislation indicates that the plaintiff must be able to show that the other driver’s actions, negligence, or careless driving were the cause of the car accident. Virginia Beach car accident lawyers can represent your case and help you prove that your injuries were the result of negligence.

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  How Long Do I Have to File a Car Collision Claim?

  The statute of limitations in Virginia normally means that you can file a damages claim related to personal injury, damages, or wrongful death at any point within two years of the car accident. However, this may be adjusted in some scenarios. In every instance, we recommend car accident victims contact a capable car accident attorney as soon as possible to file their claim or initiate proceedings, ensuring they do not lose any right to take legal action before the statute expires.

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  Why You Should Hire Car Accident Lawyers in Virginia?

  As noted above, some car accidents can be life-shattering because of the damages and injuries that they cause, if not fatal for victims. When this happens, you’ll need full compensation from an insurance company to help you cope with the devastating situation. This is why it’s necessary to have a qualified and experienced car accident attorney by your side when you’re dealing with the legal case. A Virginia personal injury attorney can help you determine the amount of compensation you deserve and help you get that amount of coverage from your insurance company.

  Some minor car accidents like fender benders and collisions that don’t result in any significant damage to your vehicle or property, or cause any physical injuries, can be settled with your insurance company without the need for legal representation from an accident lawyer. However, insurance companies don’t encourage drivers to accept liability at the scene of the accident, even if they’re at fault. Regardless, many drivers choose to settle minor accidents on their own without any protracted legal battles from the car accident.

  When you’re involved in a serious car accident that causes significant damages to your vehicle, property, or yourself, you need to seek the assistance of a car accident attorney to help you claim full compensation for the damage and injuries that occurred. Insurance companies will offer the smallest amount of compensation possible, so people often settle their claim for much less than they deserve. To ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, get help from experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyers. Aside from making sure you get fully compensated for your injuries, your car accident lawyer can also help to put the at-fault driver in jail, especially if their negligence or careless driving results in fatalities.