A collision on I-64 or I-95 can upend your life in seconds. With 2,172 injuries in Richmond during 2023 alone and Virginia’s unforgiving contributory negligence law, even minor mistakes after a crash can eliminate your entire claim. At Gray Broughton Injury Law, our veteran trial attorneys and former prosecutors understand what’s at stake. We provide free consultations to protect your rights from day one.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Richmond
Your actions right after a crash directly impact whether you’ll recover compensation. Virginia’s strict legal environment demands precision. Insurance companies actively hunt for reasons to deny or minimize claims.
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Health and Claim
Get medical attention immediately, even if the injuries feel minor. Adrenaline masks pain completely. Delayed treatment creates gaps insurers will exploit to argue your injuries weren’t serious. Call 911 to obtain an official police report documenting the scene, parties involved, and initial fault assessment.
Photograph everything. Vehicle damage from multiple angles, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect witness contact information before they leave the scene. These independent accounts prove invaluable when the other driver’s story changes later (and it often does).
Notify your insurance company about the accident, but keep details limited. Provide basic facts: date, time, location, and parties involved. Don’t speculate about fault or discuss injuries extensively. Keep in mind that many Virginia drivers operate without insurance, which makes your uninsured motorist coverage particularly important.
Critical Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Case
Never admit fault at the scene or to any insurance adjuster. Virginia’s contributory negligence rule means even saying “I’m sorry” could destroy your claim completely. Avoid giving recorded statements without consulting a car accident attorney first. Adjusters use these recordings to trap you into admissions.
Stay off social media entirely. Insurance companies routinely monitor profiles for posts contradicting injury claims. A single photo of you smiling or standing could be twisted to suggest you’re not actually hurt.
Don’t accept quick settlement offers. Initial proposals rarely reflect the true value of medical expenses, lost wages, and future complications. Once you sign a release, you can’t pursue additional compensation when complications emerge months later.
Understanding Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Law
Virginia follows one of the harshest accident laws in America. Under contributory negligence, if you’re found even 1% at fault for the crash, you recover nothing. Zero compensation regardless of your injuries or the other driver’s recklessness. This differs dramatically from comparative negligence systems used in most states, where fault can be shared and damages reduced proportionally.
This strict standard makes professional legal representation essential. Insurance companies exploit contributory negligence by manufacturing even minor fault arguments to eliminate liability entirely. Our experience as former prosecutors gives us unique insight into how opposing counsel builds these arguments. We proactively counter them before they gain traction.
With 127,597 crashes statewide in 2023 and around 20% involving speeding, establishing clear liability requires thorough investigation. We preserve evidence, secure witness statements, and when necessary, retain accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate the other party’s full responsibility.
Compensation Available in Richmond Car Accident Cases
Virginia law requires minimum insurance coverage effective January 1, 2025:
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required |
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $50,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $100,000 |
| Property Damage | $25,000 |
These minimums often prove insufficient for serious injuries. Our contingency fee structure means no fees unless you win. This ensures you can pursue full compensation without upfront costs.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages You May Recover
Virginia recognizes two primary damage categories:
| Damage Type | Description | Examples |
| Economic Damages | Tangible financial losses directly tied to the crash | Medical bills, lost wages, property damage repairs, future earning capacity loss |
| Non-Economic Damages | Intangible losses affecting quality of life | Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life |
Economic damages include current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, prescription medications, and income lost while recovering. We work with medical experts to project lifetime care needs for severe injuries.
Non-economic damages compensate for physical pain, emotional trauma, permanent scarring, disability, and reduced quality of life. While harder to quantify, these damages often represent the largest portion of settlements in serious injury cases.
How a Richmond Car Accident Attorney Builds Your Case
At Gray Broughton Injury Law, we conduct comprehensive investigations gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records, and when needed, expert testimony. Our background as veteran trial attorneys and former prosecutors means we prepare every case for trial, even those likely to settle.
We calculate total damages by examining medical bills, employment records, and long-term prognosis. Insurance companies offer low initial settlements hoping victims don’t understand their claim’s true value. We negotiate from positions of strength, backed by thorough documentation and willingness to pursue litigation.
Our team handles all communication with insurers, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize payouts. We understand how to counter the defense strategies insurance companies favor in Richmond courts.
Why Richmond Drivers Trust Gray Broughton Injury Law
Founded in 2018, our firm exclusively represents personal injury victims in Richmond and Northern Virginia. Our legal team includes three military veterans who bring discipline and strategic insight to every case. We prioritize personalized attention and building relationships beyond case resolution.
Clients trust us because we’ve secured substantial settlements through relentless advocacy. We’re particularly committed to serving veterans, servicemembers, and first responders who’ve protected our community.
Schedule Your Free Car Accident Consultation Today
Don’t navigate Virginia’s complex accident laws alone. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We’ll review your accident, explain your rights under Virginia law, and outline the strongest path forward.
Call (804) 531-4106 or visit our Henrico office at 1602 Rolling Hills Drive, Suite 212. We’re available Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. For attorneys referring cases, we provide professional collaboration ensuring your clients receive exceptional representation.
Remember: Virginia’s contributory negligence law makes timing critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and delayed medical treatment weakens claims. Act now to protect your right to compensation.
Disclaimer:This article provides general information about car accident claims in Richmond and Virginia and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.