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Every time we get into a car, we risk being involved in an accident, not because of anything we did, but because of the negligence of other drivers. If you or your loved one were injured in a car accident in Virginia, then you have the right to compensation.
Regan Zambri Long understands that a car accident can change your life in a split second and that the injuries you sustained in the accident can keep you from living the life you are used to. They have seen the physical pain, debilitating injuries, and grief that often follow a car crash. Call our Virginia car accident lawyers today to get your life back on track.
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The Virginia personal injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long are experts in the laws that govern car accident insurance claims in Virginia. They can help guide you through the claims process and negotiate with the insurance company for you, leaving you time to heal. Call (202) 960-4596 today. Consultations are free and the attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you do not have to pay a fee until we win your case.
Filing a car accident claim in Virginia can be difficult to navigate, especially if you’ve never been in a car crash before. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will most likely be calling you as soon as possible to learn about your injuries and to see if you may be thinking about filing a lawsuit. They may pressure you into recording a statement or accepting a lowball settlement offer. But before you speak with the insurance company, take a moment to learn what your legal rights are.
There is a lot of loss for an injury victim after an auto accident. From large medical bills and property damage to emotional and mental trauma, it can take a long time for you to recover. It’s important to know how much compensation your claim is worth.
Once you hire Regan Zambri Long, our Virginia car accident lawyer will sit down with you and work out exactly how much the car crash has cost you. When we get a better understanding of your loss, we can then start negotiations with the insurance company to get you a fair amount of compensation.
There are three types of compensation you can collect from your personal injury claim:
According to recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accident fatalities are at a 16-year high. Early 2021 estimates have shown that approximately 42,915 people had died in motor vehicle crashes, a 10.5% increase from 2020. Virginia has seen its fair share of car accident fatalities — there were 796 fatal crashes in the Commonwealth, making it one of the top 20 states for car accident fatalities. If a family member has been killed in a car accident, call our car accident lawyers to discuss a possible Virginia wrongful death claim.
Some of the common causes of car accidents should be no surprise to anyone.
One of the top causes of car accidents in Virginia, the NHTSA reported that over 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents due to distracted driving in 2020 alone. Drivers can be distracted by anything – navigating directions, eating, putting on makeup, taking a phone call, and talking to other passengers.
However, one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving is texting while driving. The average text message takes about five seconds to read. If the driver is going 55 mph, then the five seconds it takes to read the text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. The best way to prevent yourself from distracted driving is simply to stay focused on the road. Set your phone to an automatic away message while you’re driving so you’re not even notified of text messages. Driving a vehicle is a huge responsibility. Keep your eyes on the road at all times.
The deadliest cause of car accidents in Virginia and across the United States is drunk driving. Over 10,000 people were killed as a result of drunk driving in 2018. Uber, Lyft, and taxis are available all over Virginia, especially in locations like Arlington, McLean, and Falls Church, where many residents commute to Washington, DC. If you spend a night out and decide to drink, do not get behind the wheel. The risk is never worth it.
In 2020, 22,479 crashes in Virginia were due, at least in part, to speeding. Although keeping to the speed limit may be inconvenient, it not only keeps drivers safe on the road but can also reduce the amount of pollution coming from your car. It can even lower your bill at the pump. It also prevents speeding tickets, since Virginia law states that you can be charged with reckless driving if you are going over 80 mph.
The faster a car is going, the bigger the impact it will have if it crashes into another vehicle, making accidents more dangerous and leading to serious injuries. Be sure to follow the speed limit set on Virginia roads.
Since highways like Interstate 81 serve as trucking routes, drowsy driving is especially scary in Virginia. Truck drivers are the most likely to drive while drowsy, and being involved in a trucking accident can be catastrophic. Driving while fatigued is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, according to the CDC It slows reaction time and can cause the driver to fall asleep at the wheel. The best way to prevent driving drowsy is to get enough sleep, especially before a long car trip. Try to travel with a buddy and take plenty of breaks at rest stops. Finally, avoid driving during peak sleepiness periods, which are midnight to 6 am.
While you cannot stop traffic accidents from occurring, you can take the steps to make sure you are as safe as possible on the road:
Thankfully, vehicle safety has come a long way in the last few decades. Cars are designed with airbags, safety belts, and crumple zones, which are meant to absorb some of the impacts of an auto accident. However, even with these measures in place, severe injuries still occur in car accidents every day. They can range from a simple bruise all the way to a traumatic brain injury.
The most important thing to do following an accident is to seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t think anything is wrong. Injuries can worsen or develop into something else over time.
After an accident you should look for the following injuries:
Not all injuries are physical. Emotional trauma is a frequent result of a car accident. Look for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which causes extreme mental anguish. The victim of the car accident who suffers from PTSD may have nightmares, flashbacks, the onset of anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts about the accident, or uncontrolled anger or aggression.
If you have suffered any of these injuries due to a car accident, contact a car accident attorney at Regan Zambri Long right away. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, and PTSD take time to heal. Doctors’ visits, medicines, rehabilitation, and follow-up appointments can become costly and you have a right to compensation to help offset the costs.
Car accidents, whether it’s a minor fender bender or a head-on collision, are scary. Adrenaline starts to pump and it’s easy to react without thinking. Regan Zambri Long offers a comprehensive list of what car accident victims should and should not do following a car accident in order to keep themselves safe. It will also ensure that you can recover the maximum amount of compensation for the damages incurred.
Regan Zambri Long has recovered millions for their Virginia car accident clients for almost three decades. Our experienced car accident attorney knows the difficulties of dealing with the insurance adjuster on your own. They know that you want to get back to normal as soon as possible, so they work diligently and efficiently to make sure you recover the highest settlement possible so you can quickly rebuild your life following a car crash.
You have a choice in auto accident lawyers and you should go with the legal team that will go above and beyond for you. Our personal injury lawyers in Virginia will walk you through the claims process, get the evidence to prove your case, speak with the insurance company, and fight for your rights in court.
If you were injured in a car accident anywhere in Virginia, our auto accident law firm is ready to take your call. Contact Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.
Our Virginia car accident attorney does not work on a retainer, which is a fee that the client usually pays upfront. Instead, we work on a contingency basis. This means a fee is only taken at the end of the case if there is a settlement or verdict in your favor. If a settlement or verdict cannot be reached, then you do not have to pay a fee.
A settlement is when the insurance company agrees to pay the proper amount of compensation owed to you. That’s not always the case, which is why Our Virginia car accident attorney prepares for every case as if it was going to trial. A verdict is a decision that is made after a lawsuit is filed.
Yes, Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyers practice in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
Yes, passengers in car accidents can file a claim for any injuries they sustained. The claim can be against the other driver, or the driver you were riding with. Many people hesitate to file a claim against the driver of the vehicle you were in, especially if it’s a family member or close friend. However, you have to remember it isn’t personal – it’s exactly why they have car insurance. You are making a claim against the driver’s insurance company, not the driver and it is not a personal attack. You are simply securing financial compensation for medical expenses, personal property damage, and lost wages.
Yes, you can file a claim. Rideshare companies often have insurance policies that cover accidents while passengers are in a Lyft or Uber. However, they are quick to deny responsibility for the accident. A Regan Zambri Long Uber accident lawyer can help you file a claim so that you secure fair compensation for the injuries you sustained in a rideshare vehicle.
If an insured driver gets into an accident with an uninsured motorist, their uninsured motorist coverage will pay for any damages in addition to the bodily injury or property damage liability coverage.
If you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have this coverage, then there are other routes to receiving compensation for your injuries. You may be able to sue the uninsured driver for the damages. The uninsured motorist accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long will help you navigate the claims process and see what different avenues you can take for complete compensation.
Contributory negligence is when the victim is considered to be a “contributory factor” or has some fault in the accident. There are five jurisdictions that still use contributory negligence laws: Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Alabama, and North Carolina. If you are found to have any fault in the accident, you cannot make a claim for compensation. This is why it is important to contact a Regan Zambri Long car accident attorney right away. You will be able to speak with a Virginia personal injury lawyer who will give you a reasonable assessment of your case.
If you were involved in a car crash anywhere in Virginia and need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer, Regan Zambri Long can help. Call (202) 960-4596 today to schedule a free consultation.
