The Lifestyle
Bedford County offers a unique combination of small town living, suburban lifestyle, good employment opportunities, and numerous places to just have fun. From the historic small town flavor of the only incorporated town of Bedford, the County Seat, to the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Smith Mountain Lake, and from Lynchburg to Roanoke and points in between Bedford County has much to offer. The population of Bedford County in 2012 was 69,590, of which 22 percent were considered urban and 78 percent were considered rural.
Enjoying the Great Outdoors
The County includes three National protected areas: part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, part of the Jefferson National Forest, and part of the James River Face Wilderness. It also includes the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. These areas provide a range of choices for such outdoor activities as fishing, boating, hunting, climbing and rappelling, hiking, camping, and swimming. There are also beautiful golf courses, wildlife areas, horseback riding trails, and much more to entertain residents and visitors.
As enjoyable as these activities are for many residents and visitors, accidents happen and people are injured through no fault of their own. Faulty equipment and the negligence of others can cause severe injuries with permanent outcomes. If you are enjoying Bedford County’s great outdoors and you are injured, call Bettina Altizer and her legal team. Altizer Law, P.C., a team of caring individuals who enjoy outdoor sports and activities, helps the injured and represents their interests with insurance companies, manufacturers of defective products and equipment, and careless individuals.
Boating accidents occur, even when everyone tries to observe the law and exercise due caution and responsibility. When people believe that boats, alcohol and drugs are a good combination, accidents are more likely. Altizer Law, P.C., has the experience and knowledge of boating and other watercraft accidents. If you are injured in a boating accident, Bettina and her team will be there to help you and to represent your interests.
Points of Interest
Other very popular points of interest include The National D-Day Memorial, the Booker T. Washington National Monument, the Bedford Historic District, the Peaks of Otter, and Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. The legend of the Beale ciphers is still very much alive and draws a number of people still seeking a buried treasure hidden somewhere in the county since the 19th Century. Whether soaking in local history, dining, touring historic sites, or digging for buried treasure, accidents can happen.
If you are injured in any Bedford County location, Altizer Law, P.C., has the experience with slip and fall and other accidents to help you. We know that these injuries can be quite serious. We will help you and your family in the aftermath of your injury and represent your interests relentlessly until you receive the compensation to which you are entitled under Virginia law.
Traffic and Travel
You may live outside the County’s organized communities or in one of the unincorporated communities of Big Island, Forest, Hardy, Goode, Huddleston, Moneta, New London or Montvale. As a resident, you likely travel US 221, 460 or 501 going to and from your place of employment. You might also travel SR 24, 43 or 122 to local activities, restaurants, and places of interest or shopping. We all know that any road can be a dangerous place, particularly when people fail to observe the frequent changes in speed limit as they enter business or residential areas or believe that open spaces are ideal for speeding.
Traffic Accidents
In 2015 there were 889 traffic accidents in Bedford County. Those wrecks caused 501 injuries and six deaths. If you are injured on any Bedford County road by an accident with a tractor trailer, a truck or a car, call the experienced team of Altizer Law, P.C. We are available 24/7 to help you gather information, advise you, and represent you in negotiation or in court.
Watch out for Deer!
Deer-related crashes can cause serious injuries to those in a vehicle that hits a deer. Accidents also involve others when drivers swerve to avoid deer and either lose control of the car or fail to see oncoming traffic. Almost 55 percent of all deer-related crashes in Virginia occur during October, November and December, when deer are most active. In 2013 the largest number of deer-vehicle crashes in our region of Virginia occurred in Bedford and Franklin counties, which had 151 and 125 crashes respectively.
The Economy
You might work in and commute to Lynchburg or Roanoke. You might work in Bedford County. Although Bedford was built on an agricultural economy, most people work in other occupations today. Tourism and retail are growing in importance to the local economy. You might work for one of the county’s primary industries. You might work in nuclear energy for AREVA or for Babcock and Wilcox; in wireless communication for Commscope or Catalyst; in advanced manufacturing for DMT, Intercom, Sentry or Sterling; in Agribusiness on one of the County’s 1,400 farms, or for Gunnoes, Bedford Wine Trail, Eco-Friendly Foods, or Mountain Run Farm; or in Pharmaceuticals for TEVA Pharmaceuticals or Abbott Laboratories.
Manufacturing, laboratory and industrial accidents happen, no matter how careful companies may be. People make mistakes, equipment fails and the result is injured people. When workplace accidents occur, you cannot assume that an insurance company is on your side. You need an experienced and tenacious attorney committed to your interests. That is when you should call Altizer Law, P.C.
Medical Care
When illness or injury affects a member of your family, you might choose Centra-Bedford Memorial Hospital or one of the Lynchburg or Roanoke hospitals for your care. You might need therapy or home health care or care in a residential nursing home or rehabilitation center.
If a caregiver’s error causes you harm, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice case against the doctor or other care giver. A defective or improperly constructed medical device or piece of medical equipment might be the cause of harm, as well. In any of these situations, call Bettina and her team for the caring and supportive assistance you need to investigate your case, and fight for your rights and just compensation for your family.