Portsmouth Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

Distracted driving remains one of the top causes of serious car crashes across Virginia, and particularly in Portsmouth. Whether it’s a quick glance at a phone or an extended interaction with a GPS, any behavior that diverts a driver’s attention from the road can have life-altering consequences. Victims of these crashes may suffer severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship.

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, a Portsmouth distracted driving accident lawyer at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our experienced attorneys are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and fighting for your recovery.

What Qualifies as Distracted Driving in Virginia?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s focus away from the task of safely operating a vehicle. These distractions fall into three main categories:

Visual: Taking your eyes off the road (e.g., checking a phone, looking at a passenger, or reading a map).
Manual: Removing one or both hands from the steering wheel (e.g., eating, smoking, or reaching for objects).
Cognitive: Losing mental focus on driving (e.g., daydreaming, talking, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed).

Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it involves all three forms of distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, long enough to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.

Virginia’s Hands-Free Driving Law

Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding handheld personal communications devices while driving. This includes texting, emailing, dialing, or even holding a phone for navigation.

Under Code of Virginia § 46.2-818.2, violations of the law are punishable by:

A $125 fine for the first offense.
A $250 fine for each subsequent offense.
A $250 fine for using a phone in a highway work zone, even for a first-time violation.

Hands-free use is allowed, but even this can result in distraction. For drivers under age 18 or those with a provisional license, stricter penalties may apply, such as mandatory driver improvement clinics or extended license restrictions.

Our Portsmouth distracted driving accident lawyers can evaluate whether a violation of this statute contributed to your crash and use that information to strengthen your claim.

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of high-speed, rear-end, and side-impact collisions. A distracted driver may:

Fail to notice slowed or stopped traffic ahead.
Drift into another lane or off the road entirely.
Miss red lights, stop signs, or pedestrian crossings.
Have a delayed reaction time, reducing the chance of avoiding impact.

Even a momentary lapse in attention can cause devastating injuries to other drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians. In some cases, distracted driving results in fatal collisions that warrant a wrongful death lawsuit.

Common Injuries in Portsmouth Distracted Driving Accidents

Injuries from distracted driving crashes range from mild to life-threatening. The force of a collision, especially at high speeds, can lead to:

Whiplash and neck injuries
Fractured or broken bones
Head trauma and concussions
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Deep lacerations and burns
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Amputations and permanent disability

In addition to physical pain, victims often suffer emotionally and financially from lost income, medical debt, and reduced quality of life. If you’ve been seriously injured in a distracted driving crash, it’s important to speak with an experienced Portsmouth car accident lawyer right away.

How to Prove the Other Driver Was Distracted

Establishing liability in a distracted driving case can be challenging without the right evidence. At Anchor Legal Group, PLLC, our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to prove negligence and support your claim. Key types of evidence may include:

Cell phone records that show texts or calls at the time of the crash.
Dashcam or surveillance footage that captures the driver’s behavior.
Eyewitness statements describing what the driver was doing before the impact.
Vehicle “black box” data or infotainment system logs.
Social media activity if the driver was livestreaming or posting at the time.

Our legal team may also work with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the crash occurred and whether distraction played a role.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Distracted Driving Crash?

If you were injured due to another driver’s distraction, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. A successful claim may include:

Medical Bills: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and future treatment
Lost Income: Wages lost due to recovery time or permanent inability to work
Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in daily activities or hobbies
Loss of Consortium: Damages for a spouse or family member affected by your injuries
Wrongful Death: Funeral expenses and survivor benefits in fatal accident cases

Virginia follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning if you’re found even 1% at fault for the crash, you could be barred from receiving any compensation. Because of this strict standard, it’s critical to work with a knowledgeable distracted driving accident lawyer in Portsmouth.

What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Portsmouth

After a crash, your health and legal rights should be your top priorities. Here’s what to do:

Call 911 and report the accident. Request medical help if needed.
Get medical treatment right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms.
Document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
Collect witness information. Eyewitnesses can provide valuable support for your claim.
Exchange information with the other driver, but avoid admitting fault.
Contact a Portsmouth distracted driving accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your claim.

At Anchor Legal Group, PLLC, we’ll deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.

Why Choose Anchor Legal Group, PLLC?

Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to advocating for injured individuals and families in Portsmouth and throughout the Hampton Roads area. When you work with Anchor Legal Group, PLLC, you can expect:

Compassionate, client-focused legal representation.
Aggressive negotiation with insurers for maximum compensation.
Thorough investigations and evidence gathering.
A proven record of success in personal injury and auto accident cases.

We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of a crash. Let us help you pursue justice while you focus on your recovery.

Speak With a Portsmouth Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Today

If you were injured or lost a loved one due to a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Anchor Legal Group, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with a Portsmouth distracted driving accident lawyer. Call 757-LAW-0000 or fill out our online contact form to get started. We proudly serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia.