Car Accident Lawyer in Newport News

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Newport News, you’re far from alone. In 2024, the City of Newport News saw a total of 3,463 car crashes, about half of which resulted in injury or fatalities, according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office. Sadly, many car collisions in Newport News are the result of aggressive or negligent driving.

Our car accident attorneys in Newport News believe that those injured due to the negligence of others deserve to be compensated by the responsible parties. If you’re ready to get back on your feet, call Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law for help.

Why Choose Huffman & Huffman After a Car Accident in Newport News?

There are hundreds of personal injury firms in Virginia, but finding the best auto accident lawyer for your case can often be a challenge. You’ll not only want to hire a lawyer who has significant experience in motor vehicle accident cases, but you’ll also need a firm that works locally and is familiar with the nuances of local traffic laws and how they might apply to your case.

We opened our Newport News car accident law firm over 50 years ago, and since then, we’ve handled thousands of car crash cases, successfully securing millions on behalf of our clients to address their injuries or the wrongful death of their loved ones.

As members of the community, we’re committed to providing you with the communication and support you’d expect from a trusted neighbor. But being here hasn’t just allowed us to develop close relationships with our clients, it’s also allowed us to build close connections with local experts who can support your case and recovery and a much deeper understanding of the local courts than other firms.

How Our Newport News Car Accident Attorneys Can Help

Our car crash lawyers are skilled investigators and prolific negotiators with over 150 years of combined experience in car accident cases. We understand that being involved in a car accident is often one of the most traumatic times in a person’s life, and that it can often be difficult for the average person to know how to start developing a case.

During your consultation, our team will walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have about your case. Then, once you’ve hired us on, we’ll get started by:

• Investigating your case: Our team can hire local professionals and experts to investigate the fine details of your accident by interviewing witnesses, reviewing traffic and medical reports, and visiting the crash site.
• Collecting evidence and documentation: While victims of car accidents can and should evidence at the crash site, such as photos and videos, our team can collect a much wider range of vital evidence. This may include obtaining subpoenas for black box information or security footage from the other vehicle or from nearby businesses.
• Communicating with the involved parties: One of the more stressful aspects of settling a car accident case is having to communicate with insurance companies, who often aim to minimize or deny your rightfully owed settlement. But hiring our Newport News auto accident lawyers means that you won’t be required to talk to insurance representatives, the other driver, or witnesses on your own. This protects your case and strengthens your chances of receiving a higher settlement amount.
• Negotiating your settlement: In addition to investigating the details of your accident, we’ll also calculate how much you’re potentially owed and use the evidence and reports we’ve collected to advocate for the maximum amount you are eligible to recover.

Damages We Fight For After a Car Crash in Newport News

Another common challenge that many people face when settling a traffic collision case is calculating the damages. It can be very easy to underestimate the value of a claim without the help of a professional. Our car accident lawyers in Newport News have helped our clients recover millions of dollars that they otherwise might not have been awarded. Some of the most common damages we pursue include:

• Medical expenses, including treatment, rehabilitation, and medication
• Wages you’ve lost during your recovery
• Compensation for chronic pain, disability, emotional trauma, or disfigurement
• Funeral and burial expenses in the case of a tragic death due to a motor vehicle accident

How Much Is My Newport News Auto Accident Case Worth?

Generally speaking, if your accident was particularly severe and there is strong evidence to prove the negligence of the other driver, the chances for a larger settlement are higher. Here is a complete list of factors that may indicate that your auto accident case may be worth a large amount:

• Your injuries are significant: The primary goal of a personal injury case is to receive compensation for your injuries. Thus, if your injuries are costly, you’re more likely to receive a higher settlement to compensate you. The same goes for individuals who have suffered significant emotional trauma, have lost a loved one, or have extended recovery periods, making them unable to work or care for themselves.
• You’ve communicated wisely with the involved parties: One of the reasons why hiring a lawyer as soon as possible is essential is because it can be very easy to say the wrong thing and damage your case. Insurance companies will often try to get you to admit fault in order to disqualify you from receiving your settlement. Throughout the process, it’s essential that you only answer questions that you’re required to answer. When in doubt, always contact your lawyer for help.
• There is significant evidence that supports your claim: This is particularly important in Virginia, where “pure” contributory negligence plays a key role in car accident claims. This rule means that if there is evidence that shows that you were even 1% liable for your injuries, you may not receive compensation. If safe to do so, take plenty of pictures of your injuries, your vehicle, and the crash site to document the incident. Additionally, be sure to receive a medical evaluation, even if you feel fine. The rest can be handled by your lawyer, who will conduct a much more extensive investigation of your accident.

Types of Newport News Car Accident Cases We Handle

Our traffic accident lawyers in Newport News have experience handling a wide variety of incidents, including:

• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Head-On Collisions
• Highway Accidents
• Multivehicle Accidents
• Rollover Accidents
• Rear-End Accidents
• Texting Accidents
• Uber/Lyft Accidents

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Newport News

Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons and sometimes involve a combination of reasons. Many accidents, unfortunately, occur at the hands of a negligent driver. Car accidents can be caused by:

• Distracted driving: This is the most common cause of car accidents, resulting in more crashes than drunk driving and speeding. Distracted driving can include using a cell phone while driving, eating or drinking, or dozing off.
• Speeding: Speeding is one of the most common causes of accidents specific to Newport News, contributing to over 600 accidents in 2024, over half of which resulted in injury or death. This is illegal behavior that increases the possibility of losing control of the wheel and causing an accident. Also, the faster the vehicle travels, the more potential there is for serious injuries to occur.
• Reckless driving: This includes everything from tailgating other drivers and ignoring road signs to speeding and changing lanes without signaling or looking.
• Drunk driving: When people drive while intoxicated, they can behave recklessly and take longer to react, leading to devastating and even deadly accidents. Newport News saw nearly 200 drunk driving accidents in 2024, which resulted in 122 injuries and 8 deaths.

Common Injuries From Auto Accidents in Newport News

Car accidents can cause injuries to virtually any part of the body, depending on the type of impact and speed at which it occurs, among other factors.

Some common car accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Back injuries
• Internal injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Wrist and hand injuries
• Bruises and lacerations
• Knee injuries
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Scars and facial injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Sometimes, car accidents can even result in the loss of limbs, rendering victims permanently disabled. You deserve to be properly compensated for what you’ve had to go through. Our Newport News car accident lawyers are compassionate and devoted to taking care of our clients’ needs first.

What to Do After a Newport News Car Crash

Right after a car accident occurs, you may be in a state of shock and don’t know how to proceed. It’s important to know what to do in order to prevent the situation from getting worse.

First, stay at the scene of the accident—leaving can be considered a crime. Make sure you’re off the road and your car is in park and turned off. Check yourself for injuries—if your injuries aren’t serious, exchange insurance information with the other driver(s). Even if there are no apparent injuries, note that you may still be required to report the accident to the police, and we recommend that you always do so in order to be on the safe side.

If possible, you should try to obtain the following information at the scene:

• The names and contact information of drivers and passengers
• The other vehicle’s make, model, and year, as well as license plate number
• Photos of damages to your car and the other driver’s car
• The name of the other driver’s insurance company and their policy number
• The location of the accident
• The responding police officer’s name and badge number, if they’re at the scene

If you have been injured, it’s important to get to a hospital immediately to be evaluated. Once you’ve been treated, you should contact a lawyer to determine whether you have a personal injury case on your hands. Our car accident lawyers in Newport News offer consultations and can help you consider your next steps.

Newport News Car Accident Lawyer: FAQs

How long do you have to file a car accident claim in Newport News?

Generally speaking, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, there are some exceptions, such as in wrongful death claims or if the accident involved minors or government vehicles. This is why it’s always important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible, as it can take time to build a case.

Who is liable for a traffic accident in Newport News?

Virginia is a fault-based state, meaning that the person who caused the accident is held liable for the total amount of the damages. However, you will still be required to prove the other driver was at fault, and because Virginia is also a “pure” contributory negligence state, if you are found partially responsible, you will likely lose your chance at a settlement.

Do I need an attorney for a minor car crash?

In any car crash where the insurance company is not willing to pay for your injuries, it is almost certain that you will need an attorney to recover damages, whether the accident is minor or significant.

Can I still file a claim if it was a hit-and-run or if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

Virginia requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist insurance, which means that so long as you hold this policy, you will usually be able to recover damages, even if the other driver is not identified. However, if your insurance company denies your uninsured motorist claim or fails to offer fair compensation for your injuries, you may still be able to file a claim against the insurance company to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Do you have an auto accident lawyer near me?

Our office in Newport News is located at 12284 Warwick Boulevard, near Christopher Newport University. Our team looks forward to meeting with you and discussing your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Car Accident Attorneys in Newport News

As a personal injury law firm with over 50 years of experience in car accident cases, Huffman & Huffman has seen firsthand just how devastating they can be for survivors. You don’t have to go through it alone. Our car accident attorneys have over 150 years of combined experience and understand the many traffic laws and procedural steps unique to the local Newport News and Virginia legal system, giving you the best chance of settling your case fairly and efficiently. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.