Have you been injured in a car accident in the Hampton Roads area? If another party caused the crash, you may have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other accident related losses. You deserve clear, experienced legal guidance after a collision. Deering Hedrick, P.C. can help you pursue compensation for losses caused by another party’s negligence. Turn to the car accident lawyers of Deering Hedrick, P.C. for seasoned advocacy and advice.
For more than 30 years, Deering Hedrick, P.C. has helped injured people throughout Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region pursue compensation after serious car accidents. Attorneys Mike Deering and Chris Todd Hedrick have dedicated themselves to pursuing justice and compensation for clients injured in auto accidents.
Our firm’s commitment to client service and legal representation earned recognition from Expertise.com, which named Deering Hedrick, P.C. among the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Virginia Beach for 2022. When you choose Deering Hedrick, P.C., our attorneys focus on your needs, concerns, and the practical effects the crash has had on your life. We are prepared to stand up to insurance companies and pursue accountability and compensation when another party’s negligence caused your injuries.
Reach out to Deering Hedrick, P.C. for an initial case evaluation with a car accident attorney in Hampton Roads. Our firm can evaluate your legal options and pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses supported by the facts of your case.
Laws That Affect Car Accident Claims in Virginia
Virginia law can significantly affect whether an injured person can recover compensation and how much insurance may be available. Understanding these rules early can help you avoid common mistakes after a crash.
Virginia Is an At-Fault State
Virginia generally follows a fault-based system for auto accident claims. The driver or other party whose negligence caused the crash may be financially responsible for resulting injuries, property damage, and other legally recoverable losses.
Depending on the facts, a claim may be brought against:
- The at-fault driver
- The owner of the vehicle, in certain circumstances
- An employer, when a negligent driver was acting within the scope of employment
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer, when a defect contributed to the crash
- Another party responsible for unsafe road conditions, vehicle maintenance, or related negligence
Virginia is not a no-fault insurance state. An injured person may seek compensation from the responsible party’s liability coverage, their own available uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or a civil claim, depending on the facts and available insurance.
Contributory Negligence Can Bar Recovery
Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule. In many negligence cases, an injured person who is found to have contributed to the crash may be barred from recovering damages from another at-fault party.
Because fault disputes can have a significant effect on a Virginia injury claim, it is important to be careful when discussing the crash. Avoid guessing about fault, making unnecessary statements to an adjuster, or posting about the accident on social media before speaking with a car accident attorney in Virginia Beach, VA.
Driver Insurance Requirements
Virginia law generally requires motor vehicle owners to maintain liability insurance that meets statutory minimum limits. For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, Virginia’s minimum required liability limits are generally:
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in one accident
- $100,000 total for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident
- $25,000 for property damage in one accident
These are minimum limits, not guaranteed values for every claim. A serious injury can exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. In those cases, a car accident injury lawyer in Virginia Beach, VA, may investigate other sources of compensation, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, additional liable parties, or umbrella policies where available.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Virginia Beach
Car accidents in Virginia Beach can involve many contributing factors, including:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving, including racing, excessive speeding, or swerving around traffic
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals
- Failing to use turn signals or mirrors
- Intoxicated driving
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use, eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers
- Driver inexperience
- Mechanical failure caused by poor vehicle maintenance or vehicle defects
- Adverse weather conditions
- Poor road conditions
Where Do Most Car Accidents Occur in Virginia Beach?
Car accidents can occur anywhere in Virginia Beach, including on heavily traveled roads, near I-264 interchanges, and at busy intersections where drivers must merge, turn, yield, stop, or change lanes.
Heavily traveled corridors can include Virginia Beach Boulevard, Independence Boulevard, Shore Drive, Lynnhaven Parkway, Holland Road, and First Colonial Road. These areas may involve commercial driveways, turning traffic, pedestrians, and frequent changes in traffic flow.
Injuries Suffered by Victims of Car Crashes
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including:
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a crash caused by another party, a Virginia Beach car accident attorney at Deering Hedrick, P.C. can review your legal options.
Compensation Available After a Car Accident
Depending on the facts, a car accident claim may involve an insurance claim, a claim against an employer or other responsible party, a product liability claim, or a lawsuit.
Potential compensation may include:
- Vehicle repair costs or the fair value of a totaled vehicle
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, follow-up appointments, and physical therapy
- Future medical care and rehabilitation needs
- Home health assistance, mobility equipment, or modifications required by a permanent disability
- Lost wages and income from missed work
- Loss of future earnings or earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Compensation for disfigurement, scarring, or permanent impairment
- Wrongful death damages when a collision results in a fatal injury
An early settlement offer may not fully account for future treatment, lost income, or the long-term effects of a permanent injury. Before accepting a settlement, contact Deering Hedrick, P.C. at (757) 383-6848 to discuss what your claim may need to cover.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Virginia?
There is no reliable “average settlement” that can predict what an individual Virginia car accident case is worth. Online averages can be misleading because they may combine minor property damage only claims with catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. They also do not reveal the facts that drove a particular result.
A fair settlement value depends on factors such as:
- The severity and permanence of the injuries
- The cost of medical treatment already received and anticipated future care
- Lost income and reduced ability to earn a living
- The clarity of the evidence showing the other driver was at fault
- Whether the injured person may be accused of contributing to the crash
- The insurance coverage available
- Whether multiple people were injured and must share policy limits
- The effect of the injuries on daily life, mobility, independence, and family relationships
Virginia’s contributory negligence rule makes fault especially important. Even a strong injury claim can face serious challenges if an insurer argues that the injured person contributed to the collision.
Rather than relying on a general settlement figure, consider having a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer evaluate the evidence, medical records, available insurance coverage, and the specific ways the crash has affected your life.
How Long Is the Settlement Process for a Car Accident Case?
The time needed to resolve a car accident claim can range from a few months to more than a year, depending on the facts, injuries, insurance issues, and whether a lawsuit is necessary. Some claims resolve relatively quickly after medical treatment is complete and the insurer receives sufficient documentation. Others require extensive investigation, expert review, negotiation, or a lawsuit before a resolution becomes possible.
Factors that can affect the timeline include:
- The severity of the injuries and whether additional treatment is expected
- Whether a doctor can determine maximum medical improvement
- Disputes about who caused the crash
- Whether the insurer contests the medical treatment or claimed losses
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- The number of vehicles, injured people, or responsible parties involved
- Whether the case requires litigation
- Court scheduling and the complexity of the evidence
While a prompt investigation is important, settling too quickly can be risky when the full extent of an injury is still uncertain. Our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers work to move cases forward while helping clients avoid accepting a settlement before the full extent of their losses is understood.
Is It Worth It to Sue After a Car Accident?
Whether it is worth filing a lawsuit depends on the facts of the crash, the seriousness of the injuries, the available insurance coverage, and the insurer’s willingness to make a fair offer. Filing a lawsuit is not the right answer in every case. However, it may be appropriate when liability is disputed, serious injuries are involved, the available insurance coverage is contested, or settlement negotiations do not result in a fair resolution.
In some cases, a lawsuit may need to be filed before the applicable deadline expires to preserve a claim. In Virginia, personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues, while property damage lawsuits generally have a five year filing deadline. Claims involving the Commonwealth, a city, county, town, transportation district, or another government entity may involve separate notice requirements and shorter deadlines.
Do Insurance Companies Want You to Get a Lawyer?
Insurance companies do not make decisions based solely on whether an injured person has an attorney. Their responsibility is to evaluate claims under the relevant policy and the facts they believe they can prove. However, an insurer’s evaluation of a claim may differ from an injured person’s understanding of the crash, particularly when injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or future losses are uncertain.
A lawyer can help ensure the insurer receives organized evidence of liability, medical treatment, lost income, and other damages. Legal representation can help organize evidence, communicate with insurers, address fault disputes, and reduce the risk of accepting a settlement before the full extent of a claim is understood.
You are not required to hire a lawyer to submit an insurance claim. But working with an experienced car accident attorney in Virginia Beach can be particularly important when you have suffered significant injuries, the other driver denies fault, multiple vehicles were involved, or an insurer alleges you were partly to blame.
How Deering Hedrick, P.C. Builds Your Case
At Deering Hedrick, P.C., we prepare each case with the understanding that details matter. From the first conversation, we work to understand how the crash occurred, how your injuries have affected your life, and what evidence is needed to support your claim.
Our team may build your case by:
- Reviewing the police report, photographs, videos, and available scene evidence
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining relevant medical records, bills, and treatment information
- Documenting lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and other financial losses
- Reviewing applicable insurance policies and available coverage
- Investigating whether other drivers, employers, vehicle owners, manufacturers, or entities may share responsibility
- Consulting qualified experts when the facts, injuries, or future losses require specialized analysis
- Handling communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Preparing the case for litigation when a fair settlement is not offered
We believe clients deserve straightforward answers, consistent communication, and attorneys who are ready to do the work their case requires. At Deering Hedrick, P.C., our Virginia Beach car accident attorneys focus on protecting your ability to pursue compensation while you focus on healing.
Why Choose Deering Hedrick, P.C. to Help You with Your Car Accident Case?
After a car crash, you need clear answers, consistent communication, and attorneys who take your claim seriously. At Deering Hedrick, P.C., we take the time to understand how the accident has affected you, investigate the facts, and build a strategy around your needs and available evidence.
For more than 30 years, Deering Hedrick, P.C. has helped injured people across Hampton Roads pursue accountability and compensation. Our approachable attorneys are prepared to handle insurance negotiations and, when necessary, litigation. Call Deering Hedrick, P.C. at (757) 383-6848 to discuss your Virginia Beach car accident claim.
What Steps Should You Take After Suffering Injury in a Car Crash?
Taking the following steps can protect your rights to pursue compensation after being injured in a car accident in Virginia Beach or elsewhere in Hampton Roads:
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, preferably right after the crash. Document details such as vehicle damage, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks, traffic signs or signals, visual obstructions, and conditions such as the weather, lighting, and traffic.
- Report the crash to law enforcement when required or appropriate, and notify your own auto insurer promptly.
- Seek prompt medical attention to get evaluated and have your injuries diagnosed and treated.
- Follow your doctor’s or healthcare provider’s treatment plan and instructions. Do not put off treating your injuries or cancel follow-up appointments.
- Request a copy of the police crash report and keep records of your medical visits, bills, prescriptions, and recommended treatment.
- Gather any bills, invoices, or receipts of expenses from the accident. Collect your pay stubs, income statements, or tax returns to calculate your lost income if you’ve missed time from work.
- Start a journal to document the recovery process, recording the pain and physical difficulties you experience due to your injuries and medical treatment or rehabilitation.
- Avoid discussing the accident, your injuries, or your case on social media. Also, avoid posting or being tagged in any photos or videos while treating and rehabilitating your injuries.
- Contact a Virginia Beach car accident attorney at Deering Hedrick, P.C. as soon as possible. Early legal guidance can help preserve evidence, identify applicable deadlines, and clarify your options for pursuing compensation.
Contact Deering Hedrick, P.C. for an Experienced Legal Advocate Who Will Fight for Your Financial Recovery
Want to learn more about how a knowledgeable Hampton Roads car accident lawyer from our firm can help you pursue compensation after a crash? Then reach out to Deering Hedrick, P.C. today for a consultation. Call us at (757) 383-6848 or fill out our contact form on our website. Let us advocate on your behalf to demand accountability and justice from those parties responsible for the accident and your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Cases
Do I need a car accident lawyer if I want an insurance settlement?
You are not required to hire a lawyer to pursue an insurance settlement. However, it can be helpful to speak with a car accident attorney when you have significant injuries, fault is disputed, multiple vehicles or parties are involved, insurance coverage is unclear, or an insurer’s offer does not appear to account for your losses. Insurance adjusters evaluate claims based on the available evidence, policy language, and their assessment of fault and damages. An early offer may not fully account for future treatment, missed income, or long-term effects of an injury.
Should I agree to give the insurance company a recorded or written statement?
You may want to speak with a car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company or making detailed statements about fault. You should still report the crash to your own insurer and comply with reasonable obligations under your policy. Statements to an insurer can be used to evaluate fault, injuries, and damages. An incomplete or unclear response may later be cited in a claim dispute. If you retain an attorney, your lawyer can communicate with insurers, organize supporting evidence, and help you understand what information is appropriate to provide.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit?
Under Virginia’s statute of limitations, you usually have only two years to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for injuries you suffered in a car accident and five years to file a lawsuit for vehicle or property damage sustained in the crash. Missing an applicable filing deadline can result in dismissal of a lawsuit, although limited exceptions may apply. This means you will lose your chance to seek compensation in civil court.
Claims involving the Commonwealth, a transportation district, city, county, town, or another government entity may be subject to special notice requirements and shorter deadlines. Under Virginia’s Tort Claims Act, you must provide the Commonwealth with notice of your car accident claim arising from a crash with a government vehicle within one year of the accident.
For car accidents involving county or municipal vehicles, Virginia law requires you to provide the county or city with notice of your claim within six months of the accident. Missing a required government notice deadline may affect your ability to pursue a claim. Whether actual notice satisfies a notice requirement depends on the governing statute and the facts of the case. Such officers might include the Virginia Division of Risk Management, the Attorney General of Virginia, or the executive officer or attorney of a county or city.
How long will my car accident claim take?
The timeline for a Virginia car accident claim depends on more than the severity of the collision. Before a claim can be fairly evaluated, it may be necessary to obtain medical records, investigate how the crash occurred, identify all available insurance coverage, and determine whether additional parties may be responsible. Some claims resolve through insurance negotiations, while others require litigation and take longer because of court deadlines, discovery, expert review, and trial scheduling.
A claim may take additional time when injuries require ongoing treatment, the long-term effects of the crash are still unclear, fault is disputed, multiple vehicles or injured people are involved, or the available insurance coverage is limited. Although a quick resolution may be possible in some cases, accepting a settlement before the full extent of your injuries and losses is known can leave important future costs unaddressed. Deering Hedrick, P.C. can assess the circumstances of your claim and work to move it forward while protecting your ability to pursue appropriate compensation.
