Every year, millions of tourists, both domestic and foreign, visit Virginia’s beaches and mountains, making it one of the most popular states for sightseeing in the country. This large number of travelers also means that Virginia has some of the country’s busiest roadways. Although no one ever expects their vacation to turn into a disaster, with more than 100,000 collisions taking place each year, visitors to our state are routinely affected by Virginia car accidents.
Being injured in a car accident in a place that is familiar to you is frightening enough. Being injured in a car accident while visiting someplace completely unfamiliar is a lot more stressful.
If you were injured in a Virginia car accident while you were on vacation, speak with the reputable Virginia motor vehicle accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to determine the best way to handle your case. In the meantime, here’s what you should do:
What Steps Should I Take After My Virginia Car Accident?
Nobody ever wants to get into a car accident, particularly when they are far away from home. You might not have any family or friends in the area to ask for help or even know where the nearest hospital is.
Even so, there are several steps you can take to stay safe and ensure that you are not held accountable for someone else’s negligence:
- Evaluate Your Injuries: Following a car accident, you need to immediately evaluate your injuries as well as any injuries sustained by your passengers. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 and tell them you require medical assistance. The paramedics will provide any victims with immediate treatment and transportation to a local hospital.
- Notify Local Law Enforcement: The law in Virginia law states that any motor vehicle accident that causes property damage, injuries, or fatalities must be reported. The best way to accomplish this is to call the police. Alternatively, you could file a report with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Gather Evidence: If you are safely able to do so, you need to gather evidence from the scene. This can include documenting driving and weather conditions, getting a copy of your Virginia police crash report, and taking photos of any visible injuries and property damage.
- Collect Contact Details: While you are waiting for the police to arrive, take down the other driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information. It is also a good idea to get the contact details of any bystanders who may have witnessed the accident.
- Contact a Local Car Accident Lawyer: Lastly, you need to reach out to a local car accident lawyer. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner they can begin collecting evidence and investigating the accident.
Why Do I Need a Local Attorney?
Even if you have a lawyer in your home state, they are probably not the best choice when it comes to dealing with a Virginia motor vehicle accident. Since the collision took place in Virginia, any legal action you decide to pursue is going to go through a Virginia court no matter where you claim residency. This means that your accident requires an attorney who is present in the state and regularly available to communicate with opposing counsel and negotiate with the insurance company.
A personal injury lawyer from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp will be familiar with Virginia car accidents, as well as the state’s laws and court processes. We have the relevant experience you need to recover damages on your behalf. You do not need to be present in the state for our attorneys to work for you.
Possible Damages in a Virginia Car Accident
If you were injured in a Virginia car accident due to the recklessness or negligence of another driver, you should not be on the hook for damages such as hospital bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages. A personal injury suit could help you recover these and many other damages as well.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
At the Virginia personal injury firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we can help you file a claim to get you the financial compensation you deserve after being injured in a Virginia car accident when you are on vacation. Call (833) 997-1774 as soon as possible and schedule your free consultation.
Related Content
For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
Comments for this article are closed.