The pile-up occurred during "whiteout" conditions on the roads. Having "whiteout" conditions means visibility is reduced dramatically and driving is extremely dangerous. The wreck was so severe that I-64 westbound was shut down for hours, according to the Virginia Gazette. There were over 70 car and truck wrecks between Williamsburg and Newport News. There was also an overturned tractor trailer in James City.
All of these crashes highlight the importance of staying off the road during a bad winter storm. I know some people don't have this option, but it's always best considering you can't control the actions of other drivers. Even if you're responsible, drive below the speed limit, and do everything right, there could be another driver who's going way too fast for the road conditions, hits a patch of black ice and slams into your car potentially leading to a serious injury . I'm pretty sure none of the drivers in the 50-car pile-up anticipated being involved in such a massive wreck.
If you have to drive in bad winter weather conditions and wind up suffering an injury in a car accident, you should consult with an attorney. Just because the weather is bad doesn't mean a reckless or irresponsible driver should get away with causing you harm. As mentioned earlier, if someone is driving too fast for the weather conditions, or fails to have their lights on, or violates a basic traffic rule like running a red light, you may be able to file a personal injury claim.