Car accidents are common, but can range in severity from the minor fender bender to the catastrophic and severe. Behind the range of accident severity, there is also a range of potential injuries and other ill effects. Though, if we lose a loved one to a Danville, Virginia, car accident, what can be done?
Car accidents, by the numbers
Virginia is one of the most populous and densely populated states in the United States, with over 8.6 million residents and 210 people per square mile. With so many people on the road, car accidents are inevitable and often tragic. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 131,848 crashes in 2018, resulting in 819 fatalities and 66,523 injuries. These numbers are higher than the previous years, indicating a rising trend of traffic collisions in the state.
The consequences
Car accidents can have devastating consequences for the victims and their families. Besides physical pain and emotional trauma, they may also face financial hardships due to medical bills, lost wages, property damage and other expenses. During this very difficult time, the last thing family members need or want is problems with insurance.
Unfortunately, many insurance companies are not willing to pay fair compensation to car accident victims. They may use various tactics to deny or reduce claims, such as disputing liability, blaming the victim, delaying the process or offering lowball settlements.
The takeaway
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Danville, Virginia, fatal motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to recover damages for your losses. However, you need to act quickly and follow the state laws that govern car accident claims.
For example, Virginia has a strict contributory negligence rule that bars recovery if you are even 1% at fault for the crash. It also has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.