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Firm Library

Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents

Every day personal injuries have devastating effects on people in the southeastern Virginia region of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and surrounding areas. These injuries most often occur through automobile accidents, accidental falls, or accidental poisoning. Accidents can happen at work, at home, or in public places. Sometimes they are the result of defective products including drugs, machinery, toys, medical equipment, as well as motor vehicles. The important thing that all of these accidents have in common is that they occurred through no fault of the injured party. Unfortunately, another thing they have in common is the similarity of the destructive consequences that an injury can have on peoples’ lives. Personal injury can cause loss of wages, high medical bills, and time lost dealing with medical care and insurance companies. That is not to mention physical pain, emotional pain, reliance on friends and family for once routine tasks, and most tragically – loss of life.

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, a traffic crash occurs every 3.42 minutes on Virginia roads. Every day 208 people are injured because of traffic crashes in Virginia and sadly 2.59 lives are lost each day on Virginia roads. The number of traffic related fatalities in our state increased by 2.6% as indicated by records for the most recent year that was made available.

As stated in the 2005 Annual Report published by the Virginia Poison Control Center, 86% of all poisonings reported to the Center were accidental or unintentional, this includes childhood, environmental, and occupational poisonings. This accounts for over 21,000 cases of poisoning reported in our state that year. The Center for Disease Control reports that death from unintentional poisoning was second only to motor vehicle crashes as a cause of unintentional injury deaths in 2005.

Thousands of personal injury cases reported each year can be classified as “fall-down” accidents. These incidents can happen at the workplace, outdoors, in places of business, and in residences. Common causes of fall-down accidents are slipping on spilled liquids, wet floors, or snow and ice, tripping over loose flooring or carpeting, electrical cords, or holes in the ground, and loose railings causing someone to lose their balance and fall. These injuries can result in sprains, fractures, broken bones, and traumatic brain or spinal injuries.

All of these statistics are alarming. What is even more alarming is the tactics that insurance companies employ to make sure that they pay as little as possible on their policy holders’ claims. If you or anyone close to you have been injured and have a personal injury claim, it is important to remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Any claim that is paid out to you comes directly from the insurance company’s bottom line, and they will do anything to minimize the amount of the payout.

One of the insurance industry’s most commonly used tactics is to have a representative contact you within a day or two of your claim. This representative will be very friendly and sympathetic. They will ask you to make a recorded statement or to sign an agreement in order to expedite the claim. They will also give you advice on how to proceed. Remember that they work for the insurance company and that their only interest is what is best for the insurance company. Anything you say to an insurance company representative is “on-the-record” and can be used against you. They are trained in seeming to make light conversation while trying to elicit information that can be used to minimize your claim. Another tactic that insurance companies use is to make verbal promises and then string you along until the statute of limitations runs out on your claim. There are many downsides with trying to negotiate with an insurance company. The risks include settling too soon and being stuck with future medical bills, making statements that can be used to deny your claim, and allowing the negotiations to run too long.

Michael Weisberg and Allan Zaleski have been representing a broad range of personal injury clients in their Norfolk, Virginia office for over thirty years. We have experience in dealing with insurance companies and we have expertise in personal injury statutes in the state of Virginia. If you or a loved one has been involved in a personal injury accident, don’t make the mistake of trying to go it alone against an insurance company. Contact us at 757/622-7740 or toll-free at 800/690-0235 to schedule your free no-obligation consultation. You can rest assured that your case will be handled with the care and concern that it deserves and that we will aggressively pursue your goals and use every legally available means to fight for your rights. After all, we believe that your job is to get better; our job is to do everything else.

Library for Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents:

What can be done about teen car deaths?
Description: It’s every parent’s nightmare – a teenager with a driver’s license. Since car accidents are the leading cause of fatalities for young drivers aged 15 to 20, the federal government has made the safety of teen drivers a priority. Find out what recommendations have been made at the federal level, and which states – including Virginia – are taking action to protect our young drivers.
Is Your Car Spying On You?
Description: Did you know that your car might be recording your every move, information that can be retrieved by accident investigators if you’re involved in an auto accident? Find out what information is being recorded and why manufacturers will finally be forced to let you know whether or not your automobile contains such a device.
No Civil Liability for Hosts or Bars in Virginia
Description: Virginia is one of the very few states that still doesn't hold its bars and restaurants liable for over-serving patrons who get on the road and cause injuries.
One in Three Va. Drivers Texting
Description: Over 35% of Virginia's drivers text while they're on the road, increasing the danger to themselves, their passengers, and you.
What are Virginia's Laws Regarding Dog Bites?
Description: Virginia's dog bite laws are outdated and allow dog owners to get away with owning dangerous animals and doing little or nothing to prevent harm to their neighbors.
Car Insurance Terms in Virginia
Description: A simple guide to car insurance terms and mandatory minimum coverages in Virginia.
Cell Phones Increase Risk of Accident
Description: Virginia's general assembly has banned the use of cell phones by drivers under the age of 18.
Virginia's Seat Belt Laws
Description: Virginia laws require all passengers in the front seat to wear seat belts.

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Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510

Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223