Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Nearly every driver experiences a car accident at some point in their lifetime. While some of these accidents are only minor fender benders others are more catastrophic, resulting in injuries that can affect a victim for months or even years.

Unfortunately, the physical, emotional, and financial toll suffered from a car accident is rarely represented by an insurance settlement. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in Virginia Beach, Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law can help you avoid settling for less than you deserve. Contact our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

Should I Get a Lawyer For a Car Accident In Virginia Beach?

If your car accident was only minor and resulted in negligible vehicle damage and injuries, you may not need legal representation. However, if you are dealing with severe injuries due to the accident, resulting in substantial medical bills, lost wages, or emotional trauma, hiring a car accident lawyer is crucial.

Fighting an insurance company for the compensation you deserve can be incredibly challenging. Insurers will use any excuse they can to minimize or deny a payout, whether that means downplaying your injuries or attempting to blame you for the accident. In Virginia, the latter tactic can be especially dangerous, as the state’s contributory negligence rule means that if you are even 1% at fault for an accident, you could be barred from recovering compensation.

A car accident lawyer can use their knowledge of the law to help you fight back. They can support you in proving that another party was fully liable for the accident and that your injuries have had a significant impact on your life, helping you counter unfair tactics meant to leave you underpaid—or not paid at all.

Why Choose Huffman & Huffman? How Our Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Huffman & Huffman, our car accident lawyers have 150 years of combined experience and have recovered millions on behalf of car accident victims across Virginia. Here are just a few of the ways we can fight for you and your family:

• Handling all communications with insurance companies, liable parties, and law enforcement on your behalf, so you don’t need to worry about saying anything that will jeopardize your claim nor feel pressured to accept a low offer.
• Conducting an extensive investigation, including gathering evidence and consulting with experts, to build a strong case that proves liability.
• Negotiating with insurers to pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to, accounting for not just your medical expenses but also emotional trauma and other effects the accident has had on your life.
• Helping you understand every step of the legal process so that you always understand what is going on and what your options are.
• Keeping you informed about the status of your case at all times through clear and consistent communication.

We understand that your injuries may accrue serious expenses and that you may be in dire financial need. That’s why we aim to make the process affordable. We won’t be compensated until you win the compensation you deserve. We’re confident in our legal team and won’t charge you for attorney fees until after your case has closed. That way, you can focus on healing while we focus on helping you win.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Crash in Virginia Beach

One of the questions our clients ask us the most is, “What is my car accident claim worth?” Putting a number on your case is a complex process. There is a wide variety of damages you may be able to pursue and not all of them are easily measured. In a typical car accident case, you can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages:

• Economic Damages: These are damages that have a specific financial value such as medical bills, damage to your vehicle, medication to treat your injuries, and counseling to address your trauma. In fatal car accidents, the family members of the victim can sue for funeral and burial costs, as well as lost income if their loved one was financially responsible for them.
• Non-Economic Damages: Car accidents are often one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. Non-economic damages are paid to car accident victims when they suffer PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other forms of lingering emotional trauma. They may also address other forms of suffering such as disfigurement or the inability to socialize due to their injuries.

Working with a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer can help you ensure all of these damages are accounted for when filing a car accident lawsuit.

Types of Virginia Beach Car Accidents Our Firm Handles

Our car accident attorneys in Virginia Beach handle a variety of cases, including, but not limited to:

• Hit and Run Accidents: Hit and runs are a common occurrence in Virginia Beach, but just because the other driver fled the scene, it does not mean you don’t have a case.
• Drunk Driving Accidents: In Virginia, drunk driving causes hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries every year.
• Distracted Driving Accidents: Distracted drivers are one of the top causes of accidents, whether they’re texting, eating, smoking, or simply not keeping their eyes on the road,
• Head-On Collisions: These types of accidents usually occur when a driver swerves into oncoming traffic or accidentally enters the wrong lane, causing significant injuries to themselves and others.
• Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions often take place at intersections and may result in severe neck, brain, or spinal injuries.
• Highway Accidents: Larger volumes of cars on the road increase the potential for serious multi-vehicle accidents.
• Rollover Accidents: A rollover accident can occur when a driver is speeding, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or loses control of their vehicle due to weather conditions.

Common Car Crash Injuries in Accident Claims

We understand that car accidents can result in many different types of injuries. Over the years, we have handled numerous cases involving:

• Cuts, abrasions, burns, and bruises: Shattered glass, deployed airbags, or contact with hot engine parts can cause painful cuts, scrapes, burns, and bruises following impact.
• Fractures, sprains, and amputations: The force of a collision can break bones, twist joints, or even lead to traumatic amputations if a limb is crushed or pinned.
• Head and brain trauma: A sudden impact or violent jolt can cause a concussion, fracture, traumatic brain injury, or coma if the head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or window.
• Spinal cord and neck injuries: A severe crash can damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or total paralysis, and chronic pain.
• Whiplash: This injury is very common in car accidents, especially those involving a rear-end collision, and is caused by the rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck.
• Emotional trauma: A person who’s survived a traffic collision will often require mental health treatment and may even suffer from PTSD, anxiety, or depression for many years.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Virginia Beach (And What Not to Do)

Taking the right steps immediately after a car accident can protect your health—and your ability to file a car accident claim.

Do…

• Call 911 or the local police line. You’re required to notify law enforcement if there are any injuries, deaths, or significant property damage. If there are no pressing injuries, call the non-emergency police line. Otherwise, call 911 and describe the scene to the dispatcher.
• Seek medical attention. Whether or not you have injuries that require immediate intervention, the validity of your case rests on your ability to prove you were injured. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, seek a medical evaluation to be sure.
• Exchange information with other drivers and witnesses. Exchanging drivers’ insurance information and contact info with the other driver is an important part of the claims process. You’ll also want to exchange contact information with any witnesses.
• Document the accident site. When safe to do so, take pictures and videos of the accident site noting your injuries, damage to your car, and weather/traffic conditions.
• Call a lawyer. Once you’ve completed the steps above, the next step is to call us. We’ll handle your claim from there.

Don’t…

• Leave the crash site early. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is leaving an accident site before the police arrive. This can result in significant criminal charges.
• Downplay your injuries. Seek a medical professional and be honest about the level of pain you’re in. If you’re hurt, tell them so. The same goes for law enforcement, witnesses, and even friends and family. If someone reports that you claimed that you were uninjured, you may lose your chances at a fair settlement.
• Admit fault. Saying “I’m sorry” or any other admission of fault (no matter how slight) can cause your claim to be challenged or denied.

Virginia Beach Car Accident Statistics

The Virginia Beach metropolitan area has one of the highest accident rates in the state. In 2023, there were 5,194 car accidents in Virginia Beach with about half of these resulting in injury or death. Most car accidents in Virginia Beach are concentrated on the Virginia Beach Expressway, especially near the intersections of Independence Blvd. and Holland Rd. (near Golden Corral) where, in 2024, 1,000 accidents took place all within just a few square miles. Another hotspot was the Vibe Creative District where residents saw around 300 total accidents.

Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer: FAQs

How much does a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer cost?

Huffman & Huffman offers its services on contingency. Under this type of payment agreement, our attorney fees are only paid if we win your case through a successful settlement or verdict. If we do win, then we are paid a percentage of the total award, which will have been agreed upon well in advance.

Do you have a car accident lawyer near me?

Huffman and Huffman’s office is conveniently located just off the Virginia Beach Expressway at 4780 Euclid Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys looks forward to meeting with you and discussing your case.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Virginia Beach?

In Virginia, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. For cases involving wrongful death, however, the clock starts on the date of death, not necessarily the date of the accident. If you fail to bring a claim within the specified time limit, you will generally be barred from seeking damages.

Can I still file a car accident claim if the driver who hit me didn’t have car insurance?

If you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have car insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own auto insurance provider. Virginia requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which specifically protects you in the event you are injured by an uninsured driver.

Who can be held liable for my car accident?

There are endless possible liable parties in a car accident case including other drivers, trucking companies, or even the the government if you’ve been hit by a government-owned vehicle.

Will my car accident case go to court?

While it is possible that your case will go to court, it’s unlikely. Only about 5% of personal injury cases, including car accident lawsuits, go to trial. However, should your case proceed to court, our attorneys are fully prepared to represent you.

Our Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

Huffman & Huffman has served the residents of Virginia Beach since 1973, providing them with the experienced legal representation and personal attention they need after a devastating car accident. Our Virginia Beach car accident attorneys will guide you every step of the way, from filing your claim to fighting for you in court, if necessary. To get started, contact our firm for a free consultation.