Helping You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries After a Car Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault
Accidents happen. When you’re injured in a Portsmouth, Virginia car accident through no fault of your own, you may be left wondering: what’s next? This is especially true if you incurred expensive medical bills, are unable to work because of your injuries, or are suffering from the lingering psychological impacts of the wreck. In Virginia, car accident victims have the right to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for their damages.
Facing the legal system, the insurance company, and the at-fault party can be a lot to take on. Most people are inexperienced with the Virginia personal injury claims process. Insurance companies know this and will seize any opportunity they can to deny or minimize a settlement. Protect your legal right to compensation by working with an experienced Portsmouth car accident lawyer.
PORTSMOUTH, VA CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
As a Virginia personal injury attorney, Richard Serpe advocates for those injured due to the negligence of another person, dangerous product, or company. A substantial portion of his 37-year legal career has been devoted to representing and protecting injured children. He’s earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case he takes on. Richard Serpe has a track record of success in obtaining favorable settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Awards and Recognition: Best Lawyers® : (2005 – Present), Super Lawyer : (2006 – Present), Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent Rating, Avvo.com: Rated 10/10 – “Superb.”
HOW A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP
Our Virginia car accident lawyers can help protect your right to compensation after a Portsmouth, Virginia car accident in a range of ways. We’ll start by conducting an investigation into the accident and determine the potential value of your claim. We’ll also work to shield you from predatory and abusive insurance company tactics. By working together, we’ll help you avoid costly mistakes that could jeopardize the outcome of your case.
An experienced Portsmouth car accident attorney can also go toe-to-toe with insurance adjusters and negotiate the largest settlement possible. In some cases, insurance companies will refuse to offer fair compensation. When necessary, we’ll file a lawsuit and hold them accountable for the coverage promised in their policies.
COMPENSATION FOR CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Personal injury accident settlements depend largely on the damage done and the severity of the injuries sustained. Insurance coverage and policy limits also play a role. Auto accident victims are often entitled to the following compensatory damages:
- Medical Bills: The cost of ambulance rides, emergency surgeries, pharmaceutical expenses, and ongoing physical therapy can add up fast. Accident victims are entitled to seek compensation for these costs as well as any ongoing medical expenses.
- Lost Wages: Some car accidents put victims out of work for months at a time. Others cause lifelong disabilities that jeopardize a person’s potential to earn a living altogether. The loss of future earnings can also be factored into your settlement.
- Pain and Suffering: While it can be hard to imagine attaching a dollar figure to the pain you’ve endured, compensation can help put you on the fast track to a complete recovery.
- Wrongful Death: When an accident results in a death, the victim’s family has the right to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver. If you’re a surviving loved one who is concerned about how to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, or the loss of future income, you may want to file a wrongful death claim.
EXAMPLES OF VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS
- $5,000,000.00: defective vehicle causes wrongful death
- $1,600.000.00: drunk driver causes accident on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
- $300,000.00: drunk driver strikes pedestrian in Norfolk
- $150,000.00: teen texting and driving causes car accident
HOW VIRGINIA CAR ACCIDENT CASES WORK
We’re often asked about how long Virginia car accident cases take to settle. The process is different for each claim. Generally, though, we follow these four steps:
- Consultations: When clients schedule their initial meeting with our firm, they share their story and learn about their legal options. If the person wishes to proceed with our team, they’ll sign an agreement allowing us to represent them.
- Investigation: We’ll dive into the investigation process to determine fault in the accident. We’ll look into medical records, witness statements, accident reports, and photos from the scene to fully understand the scope of the incident. We often bring in experts to better understand the leadup to the accident.
- Settlement Negotiations: We’ll compile a demand package containing relevant findings from our investigation and submit it to the insurance company. Many cases are resolved at this point in the process. When injuries are severe, though, the negotiation process may go back and forth for some time. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, a lawsuit may be necessary.
- Resolution: By filing a lawsuit, you put your fate in the hands of the courts. This decision kickstarts trial preparation, but insurance company negotiations often continue behind the scenes.
COMMON CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES
Car accidents can have a severe impact on the body, even if you’re wearing your seatbelt. Despite safety measures, injuries can still occur. Here are some of the most prevalent car accident injuries:
- Whiplash: This term is commonly used to describe injuries to tendons, muscles, and ligaments resulting from the sudden and unexpected movements in a car crash. The forceful motion can lead to muscle strain and damage to soft tissues. Whiplash can be extremely painful and require a lengthy healing process.
- Cuts and Scrapes: The impact of a car accident can cause individuals to hit their head against the dashboard, be struck by loose objects in the vehicle, or have their phone hit their face. In addition to the pain, these injuries can result in significant scarring, serving as a lasting physical reminder of the accident.
- Head Wounds: Brain injuries are another common type of car accident injury. When left untreated, they can lead to serious and long-term issues with brain function. Those who experience head wounds in car accidents often suffer from headaches and sleep disturbances. Diagnosing brain injuries can be challenging, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical attention after a crash, even if there are no visible signs of injury or bleeding.
- Broken Bones: Car crashes exert unnatural force on the body, frequently resulting in painful fractures in areas such as ribs, arms, legs, and hips. While these injuries can occur in various types of accidents, they are particularly common in rear-end and side-impact collisions.
COMMON CAR ACCIDENT LOCATIONS IN PORTSMOUTH, VA
- High Street and Portsmouth Boulevard
- Airline Boulevard and Frederick Boulevard
- Victory Boulevard and Portsmouth Boulevard
- London Boulevard and Effingham Street
- Rodman Avenue and High Street
- County Street and High Street
- Turnpike Road and Portsmouth Boulevard
- Elm Avenue and Effingham Street
- George Washington Highway and Elm Avenue
- Court Street and High Street
- Interstate 264 (I-264)
- Interstate 664 (I-664)
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (DEADLINES)
If you’ve been involved in a serious car crash, it’s important to take action quickly. In Virginia, victims have two years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim. Once that deadline passes, you’ll have no legal right to pursue damages stemming from the crash.
Two years seems like a long time at first glance. Unfortunately, these claims can take longer than people assume. It may take many months to recover fully from your injuries, and your attorney will need plenty of time to investigate the incident and prepare for negotiations. The more complicated the crash, the more time is needed to assemble resources. Wait too long to take action and you may even struggle to find an attorney willing to take on your case.
PORTSMOUTH CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you decide to work with our Virginia car accident lawyer, we immediately reach out to the insurance company and direct their communications our way instead of yours. We’ll take over all questions and conversations with them – of course, no decisions are made without first speaking to you about your options. Call or text us anytime at 757-233-0009.