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Car Accident Lawyers – Serving Clients Throughout Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee

Injured in a car accident in Southwest Virginia or East Tennessee? Our experienced car accident lawyers are ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Car accidents are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), there were 37,810 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 2025.[1] Approximately two million people were also injured in vehicle crashes.

If you were hurt in a car accident in Abingdon, Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport, Marion, Wytheville, or anywhere along I-81, you may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability.

As a Virginia and Tennessee car crash lawyer, I and my firm are dedicated not only to efforts to decrease crashes, but also to securing full compensation for those injured in crashes and their families. We serve injury victims and families in negligence and wrongful death actions throughout South and Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee from our primary offices in Abingdon, Virginia, and Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as from our other offices noted below.

Free Consultation & Contingency Fee Representation – Call Us 24/7

We invite you to call or contact our firm at any time (including nights and weekends) so that we can learn about your case and answer any questions that you may have.

We represent clients in injury and wrongful death matters on a contingency fee basis. This means that there is no fee for us unless we obtain compensation for you. Additionally, we advance all litigation costs (these expenses are normally repaid from a settlement or verdict). Thus you will not have to pay any fees or litigation expenses while your case is ongoing.

Why You Should Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Immediately After a Crash

Insurance companies begin building their defense immediately after a collision. You should have someone building your case just as quickly.

Delays can:

  • Hurt your ability to gather evidence
  • Allow insurers to pressure you into low settlements
  • Risk missing important legal deadlines

Speaking with an experienced Southwest Virginia car accident attorney early can protect your rights and strengthen your claim.

Car Crashes are Often Not an Accident

Tragically, car and vehicle crashes are often completely avoidable, and are often due to poor decisions by a driver.

The list of poor driver decisions includes drunk driving, driving under other intoxicating substances, distracted driving (including driving while texting or using a cell phone), driving while being sleep deprived, speeding and driving too fast for existing weather and roadway conditions, deliberately reckless driving, tailgating, road rage, running red lights and stop signs, and a host of other dangerous behaviors.

While the term “accident” is often used to describe car crashes, in many cases there really isn’t anything “accidental” about a crash. Instead, crashes due to inattention, recklessness, and poor choices are entirely foreseeable.

If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in a Car or Other Vehicle Accident, Here is What You Need to Know

First, if the other driver who hit you is insured, that driver’s insurance company will assume control of the case. It’s important to understand the role of insurance companies in accident cases. The insurance company does not have to be fair. In fact, they can be expected to do whatever they can to minimize their liability. This includes prolonging a case, denying all liability, minimizing your injuries, and maybe even blaming you for causing the accident.

Second, if you do not have experienced car accident legal counsel, you will be at a severe disadvantage.

Third, even if it seems clear that the other driver was solely responsible for causing your accident, each aspect of legal liability must be proven.

Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If you are found even 1% at fault, you could be barred from recovering compensation. This makes experienced legal representation especially critical in Virginia car accident cases.

How My Experience Benefits You

As an experienced car accident and injury lawyer for more than 25 years, I have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients through settlement and at trial. I work meticulously to prove the cases of clients early in litigation in order to be able to negotiate against insurance companies and their counsel from a position of strength. I give all clients the same high level of dedication and commitment, regardless of the severity of their injuries or the damages sustained.

If you or a family member has been injured, my objective is to obtain full compensation – not one penny less.

Call Me for a Free Consultation and to Get Started with Your Case

I and my firm represent the victims of car accidents on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not owe me any fee unless and until compensation and damages are recovered for you.

What to Do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Taking the right steps immediately can protect both your health and your legal rights.

Seek Medical Attention

Your health comes first. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a medical professional right away. Some injuries — like whiplash or internal trauma — may not appear immediately. Prompt treatment also creates important medical documentation for your claim.

Contact Law Enforcement

Call the police and request a report. A police report provides official documentation that can be critical for insurance claims or legal action. Provide accurate facts, but do not admit fault.

Gather Evidence

If you’re able, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect contact information from drivers and witnesses.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

Before speaking in detail with an insurance adjuster, consult an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can protect your rights, handle communication with insurers, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Common Causes Of Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen in many different ways, but most collisions are tied to preventable behaviors or unsafe conditions. When we look at the most common causes of accidents, certain patterns appear again and again. Knowing these risk factors not only helps drivers recognize dangerous situations but also highlights why legal support can be critical after a crash. We have successfully helped recover millions for our clients, so see how we can help you. Below are some of the leading causes that often result in serious injuries and property damage.

  1. Distracted Driving. One of the most common causes of car crashes is distracted driving. Whether someone is texting, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers, taking attention off the road for even a few seconds can lead to devastating results.
  2. Speeding. Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of car accidents. Drivers who exceed posted limits or drive too fast for road conditions put themselves and others at higher risk of harm.
  3. Impaired Driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a significant factor in serious crashes. Impaired judgment and slowed reflexes make it much more difficult for a driver to operate safely.
  4. Reckless Driving. Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving through traffic, or ignoring traffic signals are frequent contributors to collisions. Reckless driving often escalates quickly and endangers everyone nearby.
  5. Weather Conditions. Rain, snow, ice, and fog can make roads slippery and reduce visibility. Accidents often happen when drivers fail to adjust their speed or maintain safe distances in these conditions.
  6. Failure To Yield. Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way at intersections, merge points, or pedestrian crossings. These crashes often lead to side-impact collisions that can be especially dangerous.
  7. Drowsy Driving. Fatigue can impair concentration and slow reaction times, much like alcohol. Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel or struggle to stay alert put themselves and others in serious danger.
  8. Vehicle Defects Or Maintenance Issues. Sometimes accidents happen because of faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or other mechanical problems. Lack of routine maintenance or defective vehicle parts can contribute to collisions in ways that are not always immediately obvious.

At the Mark Hurt Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming life can feel after a crash. Car accidents caused by distracted driving, speeding, or other preventable actions can leave lasting consequences for victims and their families. When you are facing medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future, you should not have to deal with the insurance process alone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision, we are here to help. We encourage you to reach out to us so we can review your situation, explain your options, and fight for the recovery and compensation you deserve. Speak with us for a free consultation on your case. Together, we can work toward getting you the support and justice you need.

Call a Southwest Virginia & East Tennessee Car Accident Lawyer Today

At the Mark Hurt Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming life can feel after a crash. Car accidents caused by distracted driving, speeding, or other preventable actions can leave lasting consequences for victims and their families. When you are facing medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future, you should not have to deal with the insurance process alone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision, we are here to help. We encourage you to reach out to us so we can review your situation, explain your options, and fight for the recovery and compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation on your case. Together, we can work toward getting you the support and justice you need.

 

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“Mark took over my car accident case from another attorney that I fired. Mark worked hard on the case for several months to get ready for trial. Shortly before trial he got a settlement that was SIX TIMES more than the offer my first lawyer tried to get me to take.”

- Jerry C.

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