In Virginia, vehicle accidents happen every day, and many occur on interstates like I-95. After a collision, it’s important to know when you can recover compensation and what compensation is available. Car accidents on I-95 in Virginia can happen because of congestion, distracted drivers, merging issues, speeding, and other hazards. When commercial trucks are involved, the crashes can be much more serious.
Interstate and I-95 Collisions in Virginia
In 2024, there were 129,244 total crashes in Virginia, causing 918 fatalities and 64,086 injuries. This included crashes on I-95, I-64, I-495, and more. There were a total of 923 collisions on I-95 in Virginia in 2024.
Your Legal Rights in an I-95 Collision
After an I-95 collision in Virginia, you have the right to recover financial compensation from the insurance company of the driver at fault for the accident. These accidents tend to be worse than accidents in other locations due to the increased speed on interstates.
Virginia is a fault-based state for car accidents. If the at-fault driver does not carry the legally required level of insurance, injured parties can hold the driver liable in civil court, such as a local circuit court or general division court.
Cases can also enter civil court if an insurance company won’t settle for a fair amount of compensation. However, Virginia laws also made it hard for injured parties to recover compensation. If you are even 1% liable for the crash, you can be barred from financial recovery.
Insurance companies try to find anything to claim you were at fault so they can avoid paying you compensation. That’s why it’s crucial to avoid admitting fault and take steps to protect your rights, such as working with a personal injury lawyer.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an Accident on I-95?
The compensation you can recover after an accident on I-95 relies on the financial and personal damages you are dealing with because of the crash, and some other factors like insurance coverage limits.
In a successful claim, you could recover any compensatory damages you suffered, both economic and non-economic. Economic damages include financial losses like:
- Existing medical bills for transportation to the hospital, medical treatment, prescriptions, surgeries, and more.
- The cost of future medical treatment, like rehabilitative care, long-term treatment, mobility aids, and expected injury complications.
- Lost income when you have to take time off work to recover.
- Lost earning capacity if your ability to work is permanently limited.
- The cost to repair or replace damaged property, like your vehicle, a phone, a laptop, or other personal property.
Non-economic damages are intangible losses, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, mental anguish, and trauma
- Disfigurement and disability
- Reduced enjoyment or quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Compensatory damages are meant to compensate you for the losses of an accident. In rare cases, you could recover another type of damages called punitive damages.
These damages are awarded by a court to punish an at-fault party for malicious, willful, or wanton behavior leading to the accident. If a driver is significantly intoxicated and causes the accident, this may be cause for punitive damages.
FAQs
How Much Are Car Accident Settlements in Virginia?
How much a car accident settlement is in Virginia depends entirely on the specific accident. The more serious an accident and the injuries in it, the higher a settlement is likely. Interstate accidents tend to be high-speed collisions with potentially more severe injuries.
Settlements have to consider higher medical treatment costs, more time unable to work, and long-term complications from the injury. Settlements can also be limited by insurance coverage caps of the at-fault party.
What Are the Four Things to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Claim?
The four things you have to prove for negligence in a car accident claim are:
- The driver owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty of care because of negligence.
- This breach led to the accident.
- You were injured because of the accident and their carelessness.
You might use police reports, traffic camera footage, video and photos of the aftermath, medical documentation, and eyewitness testimony to prove these elements.
Can a Lawyer Help Increase a Settlement After a Car Collision in Virginia?
Yes, a lawyer could help increase a settlement after a car collision in Virginia. While a lawyer cannot guarantee any outcome, they help in numerous ways. They investigate the crash, gather evidence, assess who was to blame, and calculate damages. This all helps strengthen your case.
Your attorney negotiates with the at-fault insurer for a fair settlement and takes the case to court if the insurer won’t agree to fair compensation. Your attorney protects your rights and financial interests.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Whiplash and Anxiety From a Car Crash?
The compensation you can get for whiplash and anxiety from a car crash depends on several factors. More severe whiplash and anxiety that significantly impacts your daily life tend to have higher medical costs, prevent you from working, and harm your quality of life. This increases the amount of compensation you are owed.
More minor injuries may result in less compensation. Working with an attorney helps you gather evidence of the impact these injuries have on your life.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Virginia After an I-95 Accident
When you hire a car accident lawyer, it is easier to get the compensation that you are owed. Attorneys know how to calculate key losses and have professional resources to assess things like the long-term consequences of your injuries.
At Brooks & Baez, we have decades of combined experience in personal injury claims like vehicle collisions. Our team has years of experience working for injured individuals and families and is thoroughly connected to the communities we advocate for.
Financial compensation can give you and your loved ones the support you need to move forward and heal. Our firm works to secure your justice. Reach out to our team today for compassionate legal services in English and Spanish.
ES