Staunton Car Accident Attorneys
Fighting for Injured Clients Since 1990
Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident? After seeking medical treatment, you need to start protecting your rights—including your right to a fair recovery. Only an experienced accident lawyer can best help you in this difficult time.
At Tucker Griffin Barnes, our Staunton car accident lawyers put our clients’ needs first. We fight for fair compensation to help them get back on their feet.
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a crash, first seek medical attention right away. You should also, to the best of your ability, do the following:
- Get witness names and contact information
- Record the contact/insurance information of the other driver(s)
- Take pictures of your injuries and the accident scene
- Contact your own insurance company and report the accident
- Get medical attention and make sure the bills are sent to your health insurance
- Don’t downplay your injury to others or admit fault in any way
- Seek the advice of an attorney
Virginia Code § 46.2-894 requires motorists to report any accident resulting in injuries or property damage to the authorities within 24 hours. However, you should consult with your attorney before making any definite statements about the accident. It is never a good idea to sign any consent forms or provide a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster without seeking the advice of an attorney.
Attempting to negotiate with the insurance company on your own or accepting their settlement offer can result in insufficient compensation for your injuries. We offer initial consultations at no charge, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us for knowledgeable legal advice.
Vehicle Accident Laws in Virginia
Virginia's car accident laws are vital to understand when pursuing a case. The sooner you contact our Staunton car accident attorneys, the better we can help you understand your rights. We can work to gather evidence, conduct investigations, and begin building a solid case on your behalf.
Statute of Limitations
In Virginia, there is a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You may lose your ability to pursue compensation if you wait too long.
The statute of limitations for car accident cases is generally:
- Two years for adults (over 18)
- Two years from the 18th birthday of those involved if they were under the age of 18 at the time of the accident
Duty to Report
After a car accident in Virginia, the parties involved have a duty to report the accident under the following circumstances:
- The accident led to injuries for anyone involved in the crash
- The accident led to someone's death
- One or more vehicles involved was damaged
- Other property was damaged as a direct result of the accident
Drivers are required to report their name, address, driver's license information, and registration information. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges.
Contributory Negligence
The state of Virginia follows a "contributory negligence" rule for car accidents. This means if you are found to have contributed in any way to causing the accident, you will not be able to recover compensation. This affects both how courts process cases and how insurances claims adjusters will evaluate your situation.
Compensation for Serious Injuries in Vehicle Accidents
You may be able to recover compensation for your losses from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters generally contact accident victims, asking for statements or even offering to settle the case.
However, it is important to understand that adjusters are working in the best interests of the insurance companies, not yours. Attempting to negotiate with the insurance company on your own can be difficult. Additionally, accepting their settlement offer can result in insufficient compensation for your injuries.
A successfully pursued car accident claim can allow you to recover damages for:
- Property loss
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Loss of enjoyment
You should never sign any consent forms or provide a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster without seeking the advice of an attorney. We offer initial consultations at no charge, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us for knowledgeable legal advice.
We offer free consultations over the phone and in person. Call (540) 328-2808 to speak with a car accident lawyer in Staunton about your case.
testimonials
Our Clients Say It Best-
Personal Injury Client
Highly Recommended!
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Personal Injury Client
Yvonne Griffin was a compassionate person & hands-on!
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Personal Injury Client
Worked hard to help me & I’m very grateful!
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Personal Injury Client
Yvonne Griffin is a fearless trial attorney!
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Personal Injury Client
Yvonne Griffin is an extremely smart lawyer!
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Family Law Client
Attorney Laura Butler gave me sound advice & waited to take my case until I was ready.
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Personal Injury Client
For my part, I view TGB’s as fulfilling a solid UPOD (Underpromise and Overdeliver).
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Criminal Defense Client
Ms. Hakes, Thank you so much!
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Personal Injury Client
Yvonne and her staff are very competent and trustworthy and they went above and beyond in their service to my family member.
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Personal Injury Client
I truly appreciated your perspectives & advice throughout this process.
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Workers' Compensation Client
I could always count on you to respond quickly to every question, phone call or email.
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Family Law Client
She represented me in my very contentious separation and divorce.
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Workers' Compensation Client
Although I cannot find enough words or ways to thank you, it is reassuring to know that there are good people like you in this world that are willing to help others.
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Workers' Compensation Client
Competent, professional and excelled at her work!
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Family Law Client
She was readily available and kept me updated on my case in a very timely manner.
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Personal Injury Client
She was a compassionate person always taking into consideration my limited abilities from my brain injury, but not making me feel inferior.
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Criminal Defense Client
Thank you so much to Leila Higgins and the team at TGB Law!
Why Tucker Griffin Barnes?
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A Vigorous Commitment to Lower Costs
We work hard to keep our rates lower than our peers.
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A Dedicated Focus on Client Service
We promptly return phone calls, provide play areas for your children during office visits, and when you need us, we'll visit you at home or at the hospital.
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A Deep Knowledge of the Law
Expertise matters. Most of our attorneys concentrate in only one or two areas of the law.
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A Strong Reputation
We're respected attorneys who live to fight and win for our clients.
