Virginia Car Accident Lawyer

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 car accident 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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Regan Zambri Long Can Help with Your Virginia Car Accident Cases

The Virginia personal injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long are experienced 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) 978-4851 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 car accident 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 about the legal rights of accident victims.

What Compensation Could I Receive Following a Virginia Auto Accidents?

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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 car crash attorneys will sit down with you and work out exactly how much the accident 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 for car accident victims.

There are three types of compensation you can collect from your personal injury claim:

  • The first is economic damages, which are meant to cover the cost of any financial losses you suffered. This includes medical bills, property damage, and loss of past or future wages.
  • Non-economic damages, or “intangible” damages, compensate the victim for physical pain, mental trauma, and unexpected losses.
  • Finally, punitive damages are awarded to accident victims victim when the defendant commits the following:
    • Simple negligence: When someone fails to do something they were supposed to and results in harm to another person.
    • Gross negligence: When someone does something with extreme disregard that may cause harm to another person. For example, if someone is speeding through an area full of pedestrians and bikers, they know there is a higher risk of hitting someone. If they continue to speed knowing the risk of harming a pedestrian, they are committing gross negligence.
    • Willful and wanton negligence: When someone does something with an intentional disregard that it will cause harm to another person.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Virginia

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 highest recorded 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.

Distracted Driving

One of the main 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.

Drunk Driving

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.

Speeding

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.

Drowsy Driving

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:

 

  • Be sure to take your vehicle for scheduled maintenance, and especially pay attention to your tires.
  • Be aware of vehicle recalls and get your car fixed as soon as possible.
  • Only get behind the wheel of a car if you’re completely sober and awake.
  • While driving, stay fully focused on the task at hand.
  • Leave enough room between your car and the others on the road to give yourself time and space to correct if something happens.

Common Injuries in a Virginia Car Accident

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 accident case every day. They can range from a simple bruise all the way to a traumatic brain injury.

The most important thing to do following car accident cases 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:

  • Bruising/contusions
  • Neck and spinal cord injuries such as a herniated disc or muscle spasms
  • Whiplash
  • Soft tissue damage (muscles, tendons, or ligaments that are damaged in the accident)
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding

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 an auto accident attorney at Regan Zambri Long law firm. 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.

How do I protect my claim after a car accident in Virginia?

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.

What You Should Do After a Virginia Car Accident

  • Call 911. You need to report the accident to the police immediately. The responding officers will be able to direct traffic away from the cars involved, help with immediate medical needs, and start investigating the scene of the accident.
  • Tell the police about any pain or injuries from the accident. They will coordinate with emergency medical help and get you or your loved one the immediate medical attention you need. You should cooperate with the responding police officers and follow their instructions.
  • Assess the damages to your vehicle. Once all your medical needs are taken care of, take a moment to document the damage to your vehicle. Take pictures and videos of your car, the accident scene, and your injuries. Take note of security or traffic cameras at the scene of the accident. Your Virginia car accident attorney can use this footage while negotiating with the insurance company.
  • Exchange information with the other driver and witnesses. Make sure to include insurance and contact information; the full name, phone number, and address; license plate number; driver’s license number; and the make and model of the vehicle. If you speak to any witnesses at the scene of the auto accident, take down their contact information and detail what they said.
  • Document all the expenses related to the accident. Knowing how much the accident cost you is crucial to your car accident case. So keep a record of all your expenses, including medical bills, vehicle repair or replacement costs. Jot down any mental or physical pain and suffering you experience. Finally, keep note of the work you have to miss due to any injuries you suffered from the accident and ask your employer to calculate the lost wages.
  • Report the auto accident to your own insurance company. The Virginia statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years, so it is important to contact your insurance company and the experienced car accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long as soon as possible following the auto accident.
  • Contact a Virginia car accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long. Even if your own insurance company offered a settlement and you think it’s enough, you never know how much your injuries will cost moving forward. The safest thing to do is get the highest settlement possible from your insurance company. Our Virginia auto accident attorneys will be able to negotiate with the insurance company so you are financially secure following a car accident.

What You Should Not Do After an Auto Accident in Virginia

  • Don’t leave the scene of the accident. Unless you are being transported to the hospital by ambulance, you need to stay at the scene until the police officer says you’re free to go.
  • Avoid hiding or disregarding any injury or pain. Even if you just think you’re in pain, you should report it right away.
  • Always let your insurance know about the accident. Some drivers may not want an accident on their record. They may try to persuade you not to call the police or suggest avoiding going through the insurance companies. But this can easily backfire.
  • Never assume you’ll remember the details. There is a lot of stress and adrenaline right after an accident, so the chances of not remembering details are very high. Make sure to keep detailed notes of witness testimonials, pictures of the vehicles, and what you think caused the accident for future reference.
  • Don’t get upset if the other driver does not provide that information. Do not pressure the other driver to provide it. If the driver refuses to give you the information, you can retrieve that information from the police report.
  • Do not speak to the other insurance company’s insurance adjuster without contacting a car accident lawyer first. Insurance companies will try to offer you the lowest amount possible in compensation.
  • Don’t file a claim without the help of an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer. Regan Zambri Long knows the ins and outs of insurance companies and Virginia laws. They will gather the evidence from the accident scene, along with your medical documentation and vehicle expenses, and make sure the insurance company pays what is owed to you.

Why Should I Choose Regan Zambri Long Car Accident Lawyers to Represent Me?

Virginia car accident attorneys Pat and Chris Regan seated at table

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 attorneys and you should go with the legal team that will go above and beyond for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accident Claims in Virginia

How Much Does a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

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 results, 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 through 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 car accident cases.

 

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) 978-4851 today to schedule a free consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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