Helping You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries and Anguish After an Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault.
After an accident, you need an ally who will work tirelessly to make sure your rights are protected. Our team at the Serpe Firm can be your advocate in your time of need. Contact us to set up a free, no obligation, consultation to discuss your options. We handle car accidents, dog bites, boat accidents, and many other types of personal injury.
Distance Shouldn’t Prevent You From Quality Legal Service
The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC is a Norfolk, Virginia based personal injury law firm serving individuals and families across the Commonwealth. Distance should never prevent a person from getting the quality legal service and justice they deserve. That’s why we offer meetings in our office (following current guidelines), as well as safely and securely online. Our clients reside across the state and the nation.
Attorney Richard Serpe
As a Virginia personal injury attorney for more than 35 years, Richard Serpe advocates for those who have been injured due to negligence. Mr. Serpe is a highly skilled attorney with a reputation for meticulous preparation and presentation. He’s earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case he takes on.
Awards & Recognition: “Super Lawyer” – top 5% of lawyers in Virginia (2006 – Present); Best Lawyers in America (2005 – Present) and Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for Plaintiffs (2020); AV rating (highest given) from the Martindale-Hubbell law directory; Rated 10/10 – “Superb” by attorney rating service Avvo.com.
Understanding Personal Injury Settlements
Settlements and verdicts are based on the damage done and the severity of your injuries. However, another major factor includes policy limits. Agreed to in the insurance policy purchased by the insured, policy limits often represent the ceiling for settlement negotiations. A personal injury attorney will ensure that all avenues of compensation are explored.
Depending on the specifics of your accident, victims may be entitled to one or more of the following types of damages:
- Medical Costs: Ambulance rides, a life-saving surgery, or months of physical therapy can all become very expensive. An attorney will seek compensation for those bills and any future medical expenses relating to your injuries.
- Lost Wages: Some accidents will put people out of work for weeks, months, or even permanently. This loss of earnings can be included in your settlement.
- Pain and Suffering: This is based on the severity and permanency of your injuries. It is determined by how much pain you suffering you experienced, or will continue to experience, as a result of the accident.
- Wrongful Death: The Virginia Wrongful Death statute allows certain family members to bring a claim for losses they have suffered due to the death of a loved one. This can include funeral costs, medical bills, and the future loss of income for your family.
How Long Does A Personal Injury Case Take?
There are many factors that go into determining how long it will take to settle Smithfield personal injury case. Here are some of the most important:
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement
Reaching MMI before starting negotiations with the insurance companies will ensure that all of your medical bills, past and future, are included in a settlement. This is a big factor in the length of time it will take to settle a claim.
Negotiations
Next comes negotiation. Your personal injury lawyer, seeking the maximum compensation possible, will work with the insurance company to land on a number that satisfies both parties.
Trial
Although most of our cases are settled without having to go to trial, if an agreement cannot be reached, we may need to file a lawsuit. Although filing a lawsuit kick starts the process of preparing for a trial, negotiations will still continue. Just because litigation is initiated doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily go to court.
Statute of Limitations (Deadlines)
In Virginia, it is necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit within strict deadlines imposed by law. In many cases, Virginia provides for a two-year deadline also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, every case is different and this deadline could vary depending on the circumstances of the situation.
Although two years might seem like a long time, the investigation and negotiation processes can be lengthy. To protect your rights, you should speak with a Virginia or Smithfield personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Once you have missed this deadline, you will no longer be able to file a claim.
No Legal Fees Unless We Win
We understand the fees associated with a lawsuit can be a barrier to justice. Our personal injury lawyers believe that everyone should have a voice when it comes to asserting their rights. Corporations and insurance companies have tremendous resources, and our no-fee promise levels the playing field. Our no-fee promise means that you don’t owe us any legal fees unless we settle or win your case. Contact us for a free consultation.
