Top Newport News Car Accident Lawyer | Your Local Attorney for Motor Vehicle Collisions on the Virginia Peninsula
Helping Car Crash Victims Recover Fair Compensation for Their Injuries
Newport News is a transportation hub and one of the busiest cities in Virginia.
We have heavy traffic due to the numerous interstates, highways, bridges, bridge tunnels, maritime ports, trucking companies, freight and passenger railroads, buses, and airports serving Newport News and the rest of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg, James City County, Chesapeake, etc.). Indeed, traffic in Newport News increases in the summer months when travelers pass through the area on their way to vacation in the Outer Banks, Emerald Isle, and further south.
Unfortunately, this traffic congestion results in many Newport News car accidents every year. Some of these crashes cause severe injuries with permanent disability, pain, suffering, and even death.
However, you do not have to deal with the fallout of an automobile accident alone. The law may provide multiple sources of compensation to help you regain what you lost in the crash.
Our award-winning Newport News car accident lawyers can help you recover money for the damages you have suffered and will continue to suffer. We go head-to-head with insurance companies and their teams of claims adjusters and defense attorneys, who often dispute, delay, and deny payment under available policies.
As a Newport News car accident lawyer born and raised in Hilton Village and Hidenwood, I know the area’s roads, employers, medical providers, and defense attorneys. Our Newport News personal injury law firm uses this knowledge and our firm’s skills and resources to recover fair compensation for you and your family.
Read on for more information about car accident laws in Virginia.
Then call us at 757-810-5614 to see if we can help you on the path to recovery. We have obtained results for accident victims and injured workers in Newport News. Let’s start working together to get results.
Do You Need to Hire a Newport News Car Accident Lawyer?
Some of you may resolve your car accident claims without needing an attorney.
For example, accident claims with minor injuries resulting in no more than one or two doctor visits and less than one week missed from work are ripe for resolution between you and the claim adjuster.
However, hiring a Newport News car accident lawyer is often the best investment you can make if your accident results in traumatic brain injury (TBI), damage to the spinal cord (including herniated discs), third-degree burns, broken bones, ligament tears, or amputation.
Auto accident injuries that require emergency medical care, hospitalizations, surgeries, and extensive therapy or at-home care are not the time to go it alone. Relying on an attorney can put tens of thousands of additional dollars in your pocket through an auto accident settlement or trial.
For example, a skilled Newport News car crash attorney will:
- Review all potential sources of compensation: Depending on the facts of your claim and when the wreck occurred, you may have a tort claim against the other driver for negligence, a product liability lawsuit against the car or tire manufacturer for a defect, or a workers compensation claim against your employer if the crash happened when you were on-the-clock. In addition, you may qualify for long-term disability or Social Security disability benefits if the auto accident injuries prevent you from returning to your pre-injury job.
- Gather evidence: Policy limits settlements from insurers and large jury verdicts often result from hours of informal investigation, formal pretrial discovery, and talking with expert witnesses about causation, disability, and damages. Your auto accident lawyer will manage these details.
- Offer guidance and connect you with community resources: After a car accident, you and your family may face tough decisions. In addition to providing legal advice, our Newport News car accident lawyers will connect you with medical providers, financial professionals, and community support services to help improve your quality of life.
- Evaluate your claim’s value: We want you to make the best decision based on the facts, statutory and case law, and likely outcomes at trial. Therefore, we will provide a detailed evaluation of your case value after we gather the necessary evidence so that you can begin settlement negotiations. Well-founded settlement demands scare insurance adjusters into increasing claim reserves and offering more money.
- Handle settlement negotiations: Many car accident claims settle before trial through direct negotiation with the adjuster or insurance defense attorney or through alternate dispute resolution methods such as mediation. We have resolved many crash claims through these methods, which can put more money in your pocket sooner.
- Try your case: Some cases do not settle. We will try your case before a judge or jury if the insurer does not offer a fair settlement.
These are examples of the ways that a Newport News accident lawyer can help you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Auto Accident Attorney in Newport News?
We have talked with accident victims who were hesitant to hire a lawyer because they thought they could not afford it.
But the good news is that you can afford to hire a Newport News car accident lawyer.
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we receive a percentage of your settlement or trial verdict. Therefore, you pay no upfront fees or costs and owe nothing unless we recover money for you.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Newport News?
Car crashes are common in Newport News, with the Virginia Highway Safety Office reporting 3,274 car crashes in 2022 alone. This amount equals almost nine auto accidents per day.
Speeding (622) and alcohol (185) were the leading causes of the 1,559 injuries and 16 fatalities that resulted from these Newport News car crashes.
In addition, six of the car accident fatalities were unrestrained, meaning these victims were not wearing seat belts at impact.
What are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Newport News?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, “roughly one-quarter of traffic fatalities and about one-half of all traffic injuries in the United States are attributed to intersections.”
This statistic will not surprise you if you have driven on Jefferson Avenue, Warwick Boulevard, J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, or Route 17, as many Newport News car accidents occur at intersections involving these roads and Interstate-64 entrance and exit ramps.
Here are some of the most dangerous Newport News intersections and roads:
- Jefferson Ave and Oyster Point Rd
- Jefferson Ave and J Clyde Morris Blvd
- Jefferson Ave and 36th St
- Jefferson Ave and Denbigh Blvd
- Jefferson Ave and City Center Blvd
- Jefferson Ave and Pilot House Dr
- Jefferson Ave and Richneck Rd
- Jefferson Ave and Brick Kiln Blvd
- Canon Blvd and City Center Blvd
- Canon Blvd and Old Oyster Point Rd
- Canon Blvd and Middle Ground Blvd
- City Center Blvd and Nat Turner Blvd
- City Center Blvd and Nettles Dr
- 34th St and Huntington Ave
- 48th St and Roanoke Ave
- 49th St and Huntington Ave
- 49th St and Washington Ave
- 74th St and Marshall Ave
- 27th St and Chestnut Ave
- 28th St and Chestnut Ave
- 28th St and Wickham Ave
- Beechmont Dr and Lucas Creek Rd
- Beech Dr and Henry Clay Rd
- Ave of the Arts and Warwick Blvd
- Center Ave and Macon Ave
- Curtis Tignor Rd and Warwick Blvd
- Buxton Ave and 25th St
- Habersham Dr and Chatham Dr
- Huntington Ave
- Kiln Creek Pkwy and Brick Kiln Blvd
- Hampton Ave and Wickham Ave
- I-64 Ramp
- I-664
- Denbigh Blvd and Warwick Blvd
- Denbigh Blvd and Pocahontas Dr
- Denbigh Blvd and Old Courthouse Way
- Mercury Blvd Ramp
- Oriana Rd and Warwick Blvd
- Saunders Rd
- Oak Ave
- Oyster Point Rd
- Thimble Shoals Blvd
- Rock Landing Dr
- Chestnut Ave
- Shoe Ln
- Yorktown Rd
- Colony Rd
- Woodhaven Rd
- Deep Creek Rd
- Marshall Ave
- Menchville Rd
- Lucas Creek Rd
- West Ave
- Washington Ave
- Fort Eustis Blvd
- Harpersville Rd
- Industrial Park Dr
- Mercury Blvd
- Orcutt Ave
- Nettles Dr
- Wickham Ave
- Briarfield Rd
- James River Bridge
We have served as Newport News car accident lawyer for many people hurt on these roads and in local neighborhoods.
What Steps to Take After an Automobile Accident in Newport News
After a car accident, it is critical to take the following steps to protect your health and your potential legal claim.
- Stop the car somewhere safe: Move your vehicle to a location where it’s out of the way of speeding motorists. Many cars smash into other vehicles stopped on the highway, which can lead to further damage.
- Call the police: Contact the local authorities and first responders immediately to help handle the situation. These professionals will help determine the best next steps and create a crash report that can help you secure compensation in the future.
- Gather information: Speak to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists involved in the crash. You need all their vital information, such as their name, number, license plate, and insurance information.
- Get witness information: There are often witnesses in a car accident situation. For example, other drivers or people walking on the road may have seen what happened. Gather their phone numbers and what they saw to help in a potential insurance claim or case.
- Head to a hospital/wait for help: If you can, go to a doctor immediately to check for bodily injuries, concussions, or damage to internal organs. For example, you should visit an emergency room (Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital and Riverside Regional Medical Center are the two leading hospitals in Newport News) or an urgent care center for minor injuries. If you are immobile or concerned about brain or internal injuries, wait for an ambulance. Wait to move until help arrives.
- Contact insurance: Call and email your insurance carrier and the other drivers’ insurance company to complete the paperwork to start the claim process.
- Hire a Newport New car accident lawyer with experience handling claims like yours and a track record of success.
These steps will put you in the best position possible to recover physically, mentally, and financially.
Does Fault Matter in Virginia Personal Injury Law?
Yes.
To recover money in a Virginia auto accident case, you must prove the other driver caused the accident and injuries.
If you show this, you may seek damages against the person who entrusted the defendant driver with the vehicle involved in the crash. For example, the legal theories of negligent entrustment and vicarious liability allow you to file a civil action against the parent or employer who may have given the car to the defendant to drive.
But beware.
You may receive nothing if your acts or omissions contributed to the accident – even a little. Virginia is one of a few states that follows the contributory negligence doctrine, which makes it more difficult for accident victims to recover compensation.
What Can I Recover through a Common Law Personal Injury Action After a Newport News Car Crash?
A judge or jury may award money for these damages from the car accident (if you prove your case by a preponderance of the evidence):
- The effect your bodily injuries had (or continue to have) on your health.
- Any physical pain you have suffered to date or may suffer in the future.
- Any disfigurement or deformity from the injuries
- Any humiliation or embarrassment sustained from the injuries
- Any inconvenience from the car wreck and injuries
- Any medical expenses incurred in the past or that you may incur in the future.
- Any earnings you lost because of time missed from work or having to accept a lower-paying job due to permanent restrictions from the accident.
- Any loss of earning ability you may have in the future because of your injuries
- Any property damage (for example, the cost to repair your car)
In addition, you may recover punitive damages if the defendant acted recklessly or intentionally.
You can read the civil jury instructions here.
What is the Average Newport News Car Accident Settlement?
Many variables decide the reasonable settlement range for an auto accident case in Newport News.
For example, whether the defendant accepts liability, the nature and extent of the injury, whether you have a permanent disability, and the past and projected medical costs often drive a claim’s value.
Therefore, you should rely on something other than average settlements for Newport News accident cases when evaluating your claim. We recommend hiring an attorney who can analyze each type of damage available.
Is Newport News Plaintiff-Friendly?
Whether the attorneys and insurers in the case consider the area as claimant or defense friendly also affects settlement negotiations.
Newport News is a plaintiff-friendly court. It is an excellent place for bringing a personal injury lawsuit after a car crash. Therefore, your Newport News car accident lawyer will try to find a connection between your accident, the parties, and the city so that Newport News is a proper venue.
Newport News Circuit Court Information for Personal Injury Lawsuits
The Newport News Circuit Court is Virginia’s 7th Judicial Circuit.
You will file a civil action here if you have catastrophic injuries requiring significant treatment before you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) or cannot resolve the claim with the liability insurer.
This court’s address is:
2500 Washington Avenue
Courthouse Building
Newport News, VA 23607
The Honorable Angela F. Reason is the Clerk of the Newport News Circuit Court. Her office’s telephone number is (757) 926-8561, and the clerk’s office is open from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Five judges hear cases at the Newport News Circuit Court:
- Hon. Tyneka L.D. Flythe, Chief Judge
- Hon. Christopher Papile, Presiding Judge
- Hon. Bryant L. Sugg, Presiding Judge
- Hon. Gary A. Mills, Presiding Judge
- Hon. Matthew Hoffman
To maximize your potential recovery, your Newport News car accident lawyer will find out as much as they can about how the presiding judge runs their court and how they view specific evidentiary issues.
Work with One of the Best Newport News Car Accident Lawyers
Car crashes change lives in seconds.
Do not add insult to injury.
Instead, hire a top-ranked Newport News car accident lawyer to guide you through the legal process.
Call us today to start: 757-810-5614. You have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, but you should collect evidence immediately to boost your claim.
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