Helping You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries & Anguish After a Car Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault.
If you’ve been injured in a Norfolk car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and anguish. In Virginia, you have the right to file a personal injury claim, or lawsuit, against the at-fault driver to recover monetary damages.
Your injuries, insurance adjusters, the at-fault party, and the legal system are a lot for anyone to face. Insurance companies know most people are inexperienced with the Virginia personal injury claims process. And if they see an opportunity to minimize or deny your claim, they’ll take it. Protect your right to compensation and contact us for a free consultation.
ATTORNEY RICHARD SERPE
For over 37 years, Richard Serpe has helped personal injury victims seek the compensation they deserve. He’s earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case he takes on. Mr. Serpe has a track record of success in obtaining favorable settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Best Lawyers® (2005 – Present); Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers (2020); Virginia Super Lawyer: (2006 – Present); Avvo.com : Rated 10/10 – “Superb”, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory: AV Preeminent rating (highest given).
Auto Accident Cases We Handle
Serpe Firm has successfully settled Virginia vehicle-related personal injury cases of all varieties including: DUI injury, tractor-trailer, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death and more. Protect your rights and consider speaking with our Norfolk auto accident team. Send us an email or call (757) 233-0009 for your free consultation.
HOW CAN A NORFOLK CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP?
Here are a few ways our Norfolk car accident lawyers can to protect your right to compensation:
- Conduct an investigation and determine the potential value of your claim
- Protect you from abusive insurance company tactics
- Help you to avoid costly mistakes that could ruin your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a favorable financial recovery
- File a lawsuit if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement
VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS
Personal injury car accident settlements are typically based on both the damage done and the severity of the injuries sustained. Another major factor? Whether or not there is insurance coverage and the policy limits. Depending on the specifics of the car accident, accident victims may be entitled to compensatory damages:
- Medical Bills: Whether you need an ambulance ride to a hospital, an emergency life-saving surgery, or physical therapy, medical bills add up quickly. Victims can seek compensation for those bills and any future medical expenses associated with their injuries.
- Lost Wages: Car accidents put people out of work for weeks, months, years, or even permanently. The loss of future earnings due to a life-altering injury may also be factored into your settlement.
- Pain and Suffering: This often involves measuring the severity and permanency of your car accident injuries.
- Wrongful Death: If your loved one was killed in a car crash, you’re probably grief-stricken and wondering how you’ll pay for the medical bills and funeral costs. Not to mention the loss of future income for your family. The emotional loss cannot be understated, either. The loss of companionship and affection is irreplaceable. In Virginia, certain family members may bring a claim for the losses they have suffered from the death of a loved one. Learn more: Virginia Wrongful Death Lawsuits
VIRGINIA PERSONAL INJURY STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident, time is of the essence. The statute of limitations for most Virginia personal injury claims is typically limited to just two years. However, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, that deadline can vary. And once your statute of limitations has passed, Virginia will no longer allow you to seek compensation for your injuries.
While two years might seem like a long time, that could not be further from the truth. After a serious car accident, it may take months to a year for you to finish your medical treatment. Your attorney will also need time to conduct a thorough investigation, build your case, and negotiate with the insurance company. Accidents with complicating factors and life-altering injuries are inevitably more complex and time-consuming. If you wait too long, it may be hard for you to find a good attorney to take on your case.
HOW LONG DOES A NORFOLK CAR ACCIDENT CASE TAKE?
There are many factors that go into determining how long it will take to settle a car accident case. These steps can vary in length depending on the case, so there is no cut and dried answer to questions about how long the personal injury claims process takes. Here are a few of the more important steps in the process:
- Initial consultation. When a client schedules their initial meeting with our auto accident team, they share their story and learn of their legal options. A discussion of the person’s rights leads to a decision of whether to work together or not. If the person wishes to hire our law firm, they’ll sign an agreement allowing us to represent them.
- Investigation. Our legal team will work to investigate the accident that caused your injuries. We’ll be looking into medical records, statements of witnesses, the police accident reports and photographs taken at the scene. In some cases, we may even hire experts to better understand what led to the incident.
- Settlement negotiations. In order to receive a fair settlement from your insurance company, we compile a demand package that contains pertinent results from the investigation. Most cases are resolved at this point, but if your injuries are severe these negotiations could go on for quite some time. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit may need to be filed.
- Resolution. Filing a lawsuit puts your case into the hands of the court system. Although this does kick-start preparations for a jury trial, your attorney may continue to negotiations.
DEALING WITH INSURANCE ADJUSTERS
It’s a good rule of thumb not to speak with the other driver’s insurance company by yourself. Insurance companies are businesses first and foremost, and they’re looking to pay the lowest amount for claims in order to make the greatest profit. Anything you say to the adjuster could potentially be used against you, and so it’s wisest to direct them to your auto accident attorney.
We strongly advise that you do not speak to any car insurance claims adjusters until you speak with an experienced attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that will ruin your case.
We Can Protect Your Rights
If you choose our Norfolk personal injury law firm, we immediately contact the insurance companies and inform them that they are no longer allowed to contact you. We will take over all communication dealing with insurance. Of course, we do not make any decisions without speaking to you first. They have to go through us to get to you.
EXAMPLES OF VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS
- $5,000,000.00 settlement: Defective vehicle causes wrongful death
- $1,600,000.00 settlement: head-on collision caused by drunk driver
- $300,000.00 settlement: pedestrian struck by drunk driver
- $150,000.00 settlement: teen texting and driving causes car accident
SERPE FIRM CLIENT REVIEW
“Within seconds of meeting with Richard Serpe, he identified a number of potential mistakes I was making – many of which could have been quite costly. Throughout the entire process, from the accident to physical therapy to court dates and depositions, Richard acted as my advocate, my friend, my partner, and my champion. He was meticulous in his gathering of evidence, he was thoughtful in how he handled documentation. There were days when I couldn’t focus on the future because the present was just too challenging. Richard often checked in on me, took phone calls and emails and was incredibly responsive. He took all the heat so I could focus on recovery. I can’t imagine how I would have been able to make it through this process without having Richard by my side.” – Melissa B.
NORFOLK CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Insurance companies have deep pockets and tremendous resources. Our law firm understands that the costs associated with a lawsuit can be a barrier to justice. This is why we offer a no-fee promise. Ultimately, you don’t owe us any legal fees unless we settle or win your personal injury case.
If we accept your case, we will work on your behalf to get a fair settlement and only charge legal fees if you receive a settlement or verdict. Call our Virginia car accident lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your options.
NORFOLK CAR ACCIDENT RESOURCES
- City of Norfolk – Vision Zero
- Norfolk Neighborhood Speed Reduction Program
- Code of Virginia – Motor Vehicle Accidents
