A car accident occurs every four minutes on our state’s roads, as reported by the Virginia Office of Highway Safety. In many of these cases, these incidents aren’t actually “accidents.” They’re the result of negligent and reckless acts by careless individuals. At Marks & Harrison , our Richmond, Virginia, car accident attorneys believe these drivers must be held accountable. We also believe their victims deserve full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Insurers protect their money. That means aggressive action must be taken to protect the rights of car accident victims. Marks & Harrison can help. As one of Virginia’s largest and oldest personal injury law firms, we have the skill, experience, and resources to take on insurers and seek the compensation you deserve. We have nine offices located throughout Virginia. We can provide a free and confidential consultation today. We will review the facts of your case and discuss all available options. Call us or contact us online to get started.
Negligence is a major cause of car accidents throughout Richmond, Virginia.
Driving in Richmond, Virginia, has always been dangerous. Car accidents, deaths, and injuries in Virginia increased last year, reports the Office of Highway Safety. Statistics show that more than 120,000 crashes occurred on our streets and highways. These accidents resulted in 764 deaths and 63,382 injuries. Why? Good question. The answer is complex. At Marks & Harrison, we know that the primary factor behind car accidents is negligence. Many drivers fail to uphold the duty of care they owe to others on the road. Negligent driving can take many different forms, including the following:
Speeding – Speeding plays a role in nearly 25,000 accidents in Virginia each year, statistics show. Breaking the speed limit and causing an accident is automatically considered negligence. But other types of speeding are also dangerous. For example, a person may drive too fast in conditions such as rain, fog, ice, sleet, snow, or smoke.
Reckless driving – A driver clearly shows no regard for the safety of others when running a red light or stop sign at an intersection, making dangerous passes on two-lane roads, or racing other cars on the road.
Drunk Driving – Today, we have strict drunk driving laws, strong enforcement, and intensified public awareness campaigns, including many in which our state participates. Still, drunk drivers continue to cause accidents. Last year alone, nearly 8,500 alcohol-related crashes occurred in Virginia. Many of these involved drivers with blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08. But driving, even after one drink, is not safe.
Driving under the influence of drugs – just as serious as driving under the influence of alcohol is the problem of people who get behind the wheel after using illegal drugs or prescription medications. These substances impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drug use among fatally injured drivers increased by 13 percent over a recent three-year period.
Distracted driving – Talking on a cell phone and texting while driving causes an increasing number of car accidents in the U.S. In fact, the NHTSA says distracted driving kills 5,500 and injures 450,000 nationwide each year.
Fatigued Driving – The NHTSA says nearly 56,000 sleep-related car crashes occur annually . They result in nearly 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths. Fatigued driving isn’t just falling asleep at the wheel. It’s also being so tired that a person lacks the alertness needed to drive safely.
Another form of carelessness is driving without insurance coverage. When a driver causes an accident without any coverage or lacks coverage that can pay for the full extent of the victim’s injuries, they may have to turn to their own insurer to recover under an uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) policy.
Car Accident Attorney in Richmond, Virginia
When you turn to Marks & Harrison for legal representation in your car accident claim, we immediately get to work determining what caused your accident and who was at fault. We work with forensic engineers to prove fault and with medical professionals to establish the full extent of the injuries you have suffered.
Our dedicated car accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience to skillfully negotiate on your behalf outside of court. We also have trial experience and the ability to aggressively fight for your rights in the courtroom if necessary.
Insurance agents are protecting their own companies by minimizing the amounts paid out in accident claims. With our experienced car accident attorney on your side, you have a dedicated legal advocate to protect your rights and actively pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive.
What are your legal options after a car accident in Richmond, Virginia?
After an accident, our firm will explore all possible avenues to recover compensation for your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation through:
- Liability insurance coverage for the at-fault driver . Under state law, Motor Vehicle Code 46-2-706, all Virginia drivers must pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee, show proof of a bond obtained by depositing cash or securities with the DMV, obtain certified self-insurance from the DMV, or maintain liability insurance. The minimum required liability policy limits are $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person; $50,000 for bodily injury or death to two or more persons; and $20,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) . Despite state financial responsibility laws, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that 10.1% of Virginia drivers are uninsured. If you were injured in an accident caused by a driver without liability insurance or a hit-and-run driver, you may be entitled to compensation under your own policy’s uninsured motorist coverage.
- Even if the driver who hit you or caused your accident has the minimum liability coverage required by law, $25,000 may not be enough to cover your damages. If that’s the case, you may be entitled to compensation under your own underinsured motorist coverage.
- Other Coverage . Our experienced accident attorneys will review your insurance policy and identify any other coverage that may be available to you, including comprehensive, collision, and medical coverage.
Contact a Richmond, Virginia car accident lawyer after your accident
If you were injured in a car accident in Richmond, Virginia, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you seek legal assistance, the more likely you are to obtain compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Contact the Richmond, Virginia car accident attorneys at Marks & Harrison today.
