Virginia Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Aggressively Pursue Compensation
Hampton Roads firm offers compassionate and capable representation for Virginia DUI accident victims
Drivers who dare to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs are a clear and present danger. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you deserve substantial compensation. At Ernest Law Group, PLC, our team fights aggressively to hold impaired motorists fully accountable for the harm they case. Our skilled Virginia Beach drunk driving accident lawyers will provide the determined representation you need. We assist victims from Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk and other cities from our main office and our meeting location in Norfolk.
What kinds of impairments are caused by drugs and alcohol?
As a popular vacation destination, the Virginia Beach area attracts millions of visitors who are looking to have a good time. For many people, that involves excessive drinking or drug use. Regardless of whether the motorist is a local or from out of town, if they’ve been consuming alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or another mind-altering substance, they might be experiencing effects such as:
- Loss of judgment
- Diminished reaction time
- Distorted vision
Even prescription drugs taken legally and over-the-counter medication can affect someone’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Our firm will examine all of the relevant evidence regarding possible impairment whether or not the driver is not facing criminal charges.
Common injuries from drunk driving accidents in Virginia Beach
Drunk driving accidents are often more severe than other car crashes because the driver’s judgment is compromised, which can lead to excessive speed and risky maneuvers. The Virginia Beach car accident attorneys at our firm have helped many victims of drunk driving collisions. We’ve achieved successful results in cases involving concussions other traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, and even wrongful deaths. If you have suffered a severe or catastrophic injury, we are the firm to trust.
Virginia Beach drunk driving accident attorney establishes liability
As your legal advocates, we go to work to collect the evidence that will support your legal argument. Our work might include:
- Interviewing eyewitnesses to get their accounts on record
- Reviewing the police report and results of toxicology testing
- Accessing any surveillance video of the scene
- Reviewing your medical reports
- Consulting with appropriate experts
- Deposing the defendant and other witnesses
While liability might seem obvious in a case involving an impaired motorist, Virginia law prevents personal injury plaintiffs from receiving an award at trial if they contributed in any way to their injury. Accordingly, it is important to retain a lawyer who knows how to push back against attorneys looking to blame the victim.
Compensation recoverable from a drunk driving accident claim
Victims of drunk driving accidents can recover damages to address their economic and noneconomic losses, including:
- Present and future medical bills
- Present and future lost earnings
- Household modifications to accommodate a disability
- Physical pain
- Mental suffering
- Loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life
In wrongful death cases, damages also include funeral and burial expenses.
Our team is determined to maximize the damage amount you recover, either through a negotiated settlement or a verdict at trial.
Virginia statute of limitations on injury claims involving intoxicated drivers
The statute of limitations for auto accidents in Virginia is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file in a timely manner, you are permanently barred from pursuing compensation. However, in some cases the statute of limitations can be extended. For example, if the accident rendered you incapable of filing a lawsuit, the statutory period would begin when you recovered your capacity. If you have questions about your filing deadline, one of our attorneys can assist you. But as a general rule, it is always better to commence action as soon after the accident as possible.
Contact an experienced Virginia attorney if you’ve been injured by a drunk driver
Ernest Law Group, PLC in Virginia Beach represents Hampton Roads clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from crashes caused by impaired drivers. For a free consultation with a dedicated car accident attorney, call 757-289-2499 or contact us online. We also meet with clients in Norfolk and represent plaintiffs from Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk and other locations.