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Car accidents are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), there were 36,096 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 2019.[1] Approximately two million people were also injured in vehicle crashes.
As a Virginia and Tennessee car crash lawyer, I and my firm are dedicated not only to efforts to decrease crashes, but also to securing full compensation for those injured in crashes and their families. We serve injury victims and families in negligence and wrongful death actions throughout South and Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee from our primary offices in Abingdon, Virginia, and Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as from our other offices noted below.
We invite you to call or contact our firm at any time (including nights and weekends) so that we can learn about your case and answer any questions that you may have.
We represent clients in injury and wrongful death matters on a contingency fee basis. This means that there is no fee for us unless we obtain compensation for you. Additionally, we advance all litigation costs (these expenses are normally repaid from a settlement or verdict). Thus you will not have to pay any fees or litigation expenses while your case is ongoing.
Tragically, car and vehicle crashes are often completely avoidable, and are often due to poor decisions by a driver.
The list of poor driver decisions includes drunk driving, driving under other intoxicating substances, distracted driving (including driving while texting or using a cell phone), driving while being sleep deprived, speeding and driving too fast for existing weather and roadway conditions, deliberately reckless driving, tailgating, road rage, running red lights and stop signs, and a host of other dangerous behaviors.
While the term “accident” is often used to describe car crashes, in many cases there really isn’t anything “accidental” about a crash. Instead, crashes due to inattention, recklessness, and poor choices are entirely foreseeable.
First, if the other driver who hit you is insured, that driver’s insurance company will assume control of the case. It’s important to understand the role of insurance companies in accident cases. The insurance company does not have to be fair. In fact, they can be expected to do whatever they can to minimize their liability. This includes prolonging a case, denying all liability, minimizing your injuries, and maybe even blaming you for causing the accident. The greater your injuries and damages are, the more that you can expect the insurance company to fight back.
Second, if you do not have experienced car accident legal counsel, you will be at a severe disadvantage. There are all kinds of legal tactics that the insurance company and its lawyers may take against you. In cases where an injured driver is unrepresented by legal counsel, insurance companies will typically offer only “nuisance” settlement value, even in cases involving significant injury, as they are not concerned about an injured victim taking a case to trial.
Third, even if it seems clear that the other driver was solely responsible for causing your accident, each aspect of legal liability must be proven. Similarly, damages and the injuries sustained must also be proven, including pain and suffering. In order to recover full compensation for injuries and pain and suffering, evidence must be produced at trial to show not only the degree of pain suffered by an accident victim immediately following the accident, but also any future pain and suffering likely to be suffered as a result of the accident.
As an experienced car accident and injury lawyer for more than 25 years, I have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients through settlement and at trial. I work meticulously to prove the cases of clients early in litigation in order to be able to negotiate against insurance companies and their counsel from a position of strength. I give all clients the same high level of dedication and commitment, regardless of the severity of their injuries or the damages sustained.
If you or a family member has been injured, my objective is to obtain full compensation – not one penny less.
I and my firm represent the victims of car accidents on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not owe me any fee unless and until compensation and damages are recovered for you.
In the aftermath of a car accident, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. However, taking the appropriate steps in the immediate aftermath of a collision is crucial to protect your well-being and legal rights. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we have over twenty five years of experience handling accident cases, so we understand the challenges you may face following a car accident. We’re here to provide guidance and support. Below, we’ve outlined the essential first steps to take after a collision to ensure your safety and safeguard your legal interests.
The first and most critical step after a car accident is to prioritize your health and safety. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal trauma, may not be immediately apparent but could worsen over time if left untreated. By seeking medical care immediately, you not only protect your health but also create documentation of your injuries, which can be valuable for any future legal claims. Be sure to ask for your medical records along the way to have on hand as evidence.
After ensuring your safety and the safety of others involved in the accident, contact law enforcement to report the collision. A police report provides an official record of the accident and can be valuable evidence if you need to file an insurance claim or pursue legal action. Be sure to provide law enforcement with accurate and detailed information about the accident, but refrain from admitting fault or assigning blame. Stick with just the immediate details such as “this person ran into me” and nothing else.
While still at the scene of the accident, gather as much evidence as possible to support any potential insurance claims or legal actions. Take photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from other drivers, passengers, and witnesses, and make note of any relevant details, such as weather conditions or traffic signals.
Promptly notify your insurance company of the accident and provide them with accurate information about the collision. Be honest and thorough in your account of the accident, but avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the collision. Your insurance company will guide you through the claims process and may require additional information or documentation to process your claim.
Finally, if you’ve been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, it’s essential to seek legal representation from experienced car accident lawyers. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, our Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee car accident lawyers have the knowledge and expertise to advocate for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, gather evidence to support your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Don’t face the aftermath of a car accident alone. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced accident lawyers. We’re here to help you navigate this challenging time and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
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“Mark took over my car accident case from another attorney that I fired. Mark worked hard on the case for several months to get ready for trial. Shortly before trial he got a settlement that was SIX TIMES more than the offer my first lawyer tried to get me to take.”
