Gloucester County Car Accident Attorneys Ken Gibson and John Singleton Explain Legal Rights for Route 17 Crash Victims

GLOUCESTER, VA - Route 17, the George Washington Memorial Highway, remains one of Gloucester County's most dangerous roadways, with high-speed collisions frequently resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. Gloucester County car accident attorneys Ken Gibson and John Singleton of GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys (https://www.gibsonsingleton.com/virginia-car-accident-lawyers/route-17-crashes/) are providing guidance on the legal rights available to crash victims and the challenges they face when pursuing compensation under Virginia's strict fault laws.

According to Gloucester County car accident attorneys Ken Gibson and John Singleton, Route 17's four-lane divided highway experiences frequent collisions due to high-speed travel, dangerous intersections, and drivers unfamiliar with local road conditions. The highway serves as the primary route for beach traffic during summer months, creating congestion and impatient drivers. Many sections lack dedicated left-turn lanes, forcing drivers to cross multiple lanes of opposing traffic.

Gloucester County car accident attorneys Ken Gibson and John Singleton emphasize that the Virginia Department of Transportation has documented particularly dangerous conditions at several Route 17 intersections. Nearly 70 percent of crashes at the Route 17 and Woods Cross Road intersection between 2014 and 2024 resulted in serious injuries or fatalities, prompting VDOT to implement a $5.1 million safety improvement project at that location.

High-speed collisions on Route 17 often cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and chest injuries that require emergency transport to regional trauma centers. "Even mild traumatic brain injuries can produce lasting cognitive problems, memory loss, and personality changes," Gibson explains. "Some Route 17 accident victims experience months or years of rehabilitation after brain injuries."

Virginia follows a pure contributory negligence rule, one of the strictest fault standards in the United States. If an accident victim bears any responsibility for causing the crash, even one percent, they cannot recover compensation from other drivers. Gibson notes that insurance companies exploit this harsh legal standard by claiming accident victims share fault for crashes.

"Virginia's fault laws are tough, but we know how to prove who was really responsible," advises Gibson. "One mistake shouldn't cost you everything." Proving negligence in Gloucester County crashes requires evidence from the crash scene, including skid marks, damage patterns, cell phone records, and event data recorders from newer vehicles.

Virginia law allows accident victims to recover economic and non-economic damages from at-fault drivers. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life. Medical expenses form the largest component of most Route 17 accident claims and can include costs for future medical care when doctors testify about ongoing treatment needs.

The firm emphasizes that Virginia imposes strict deadlines for filing car accident lawsuits. Under Virginia Code Section 8.01-243, accident victims generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in circuit court. Claims against Virginia government entities face even shorter deadlines, with notice requirements that may be as brief as six months.

"Evidence disappears quickly," Gibson notes. "Skid marks fade, witnesses forget details, and vehicles get repaired. Without an experienced legal professional protecting your interests, insurers build cases to minimize or deny your claim while you focus on medical recovery."

Insurance adjusters use predictable tactics to reduce payouts on Gloucester County car accident claims, including early lowball offers, recorded statements designed to create contradictions, and arguments that pre-existing conditions caused injuries. Gibson advises accident victims never to provide recorded statements to the other driver's insurance company and to avoid discussing accidents or injuries on social media platforms.

The most dangerous Route 17 intersections in Gloucester include Woods Cross Road, T.C. Walker Road, Bray's Point Road, and Main Street. Common causes of Route 17 crashes include distracted driving, left-turn collisions at intersections lacking dedicated turn signals, alcohol impairment, and aggressive driving behaviors that increase during peak beach traffic season.

Ken Gibson and John Singleton both served as U.S. Marines and bring unique backgrounds to Route 17 accident cases. Gibson served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Norfolk and as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, receiving commendation from the FBI for his trial work. Singleton worked for a large insurance defense firm, providing insider knowledge of how insurers approach injury claims.

GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys maintains its office in Gloucester and operates on a contingency fee basis with a Zero Fee Guarantee. Accident victims pay no legal fees unless the firm recovers compensation for them. For those facing medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty after a Route 17 crash, contacting a car accident attorney may help protect legal rights and maximize recovery.

About GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys:

GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys is a Gloucester-based law firm dedicated to personal injury representation with a focus on car accident cases throughout the Middle Peninsula. Led by former U.S. Marines and experienced trial attorneys Ken Gibson and John Singleton, the firm represents clients throughout Gloucester County, Gloucester Point, and surrounding Virginia communities. For consultations, call (804) 413-6777.

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Email: michelle@gibsonsingleton.com

Website: https://www.gibsonsingleton.com/

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Company Name: GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys
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Phone: (804) 413-6777
Address:4073 George Washington Memorial Hwy
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