Helping You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries & Anguish After an Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault.
When a person is injured because of the misconduct or negligence of another person, In Virginia, they may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover financial compensation.
We can help you seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault. Contact our legal team to discuss your situation during a free, no obligation, consultation (757)233-0009. Our Norfolk, Virginia based personal injury law firm serves clients in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and all of Virginia.
Attorney Richard Serpe
For more than 37 years, Virginia personal injury attorney Richard Serpe has helped individuals and families seriously injured due to the negligence of another person, a dangerous product, or company. He has a track record of success in obtaining favorable jury verdicts and settlements for his clients. A large portion of his career has been devoted to the representation of injured children.
Awards and Recognition: Best Lawyers® : (2005 – Present), Super Lawyer : (2006 – Present), Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent Rating, and Avvo.com : Rated 10/10 – “Superb.”
Benefits Of Hiring A Legal Team
Here are a few ways our lawyers can use their legal education and experience to add value to your case:
- Investigate your accident and determine the potential value of your personal injury claim
- Protect you from abusive insurance company tactics
- Negotiate with the insurance company to recover a just settlement
- File a lawsuit if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement
These are just a few of the ways a personal injury lawyer can add value to your claim. Schedule your free consultation today.
Understanding Virginia Personal Injury Claims
Settlement amounts are based on both the damage done and the severity of the injuries sustained. Another major factor? Insurance coverage and policy limits. Agreed to in the insurance policy purchased by the insured, policy limits often represent the ceiling for settlement negotiations.
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to one or more of the following types of financial recovery:
- Medical bills: An ambulance ride to a hospital, surgery, or years of physical therapy– medical bills can add up. A Virginia personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for these bills, as well as any future medical expenses associated with your injury.
- Lost income: Accidents can put people out of work for months or even permanently. Loss of earnings can be factored into your settlement.
- Pain and suffering: This is often based on how much pain you suffered, or continue to endure, as a result of the accident.
- Wrongful death: If your loved one was killed, you’re probably grief-stricken and wondering how you’ll shoulder medical bills, funeral costs – not to mention the loss of future income for your family. Of course, the emotional loss cannot be understated either. The Virginia wrongful death statute allows certain family members to bring a claim for the losses they have suffered from the death of a loved one.
What are the steps in a Virginia personal injury case?
While every personal injury case is unique, but here are a few general steps in the process:
Initial consultation. When a client schedules their free consultation with our 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 firm, they’ll be required to sign an agreement allowing us to represent them.
Investigation. Our team will work to investigate the accident that caused your injuries. We’ll be looking into the 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.
Documentation. Your attorney will work with your healthcare provides to assemble as much information about your injuries as possible. Hospital bills and medical records will be compiled to further support your case.
Settlement negotiations. In order to receive a fair offer from the insurance company, we compile a demand package that contains pertinent results from the investigation and documentation process. Most cases are resolved at this point, but negotiations with the insurance company can continue for a lengthy period of time. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit may be filed.
Resolution. Filing a lawsuit puts the timing of your case in the hands of the court system’s legal process. However, during this time, both parties may agree to mediate in an attempt to settle outside of court. If an agreement cannot be made, your case may go before a judge and jury.
Statute of Limitations (Deadlines)
Under Virginia law, 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.
Don’t Wait Too Long
While two years may seem like a long time, your healing, the investigation, and negotiations can be quite lengthy. To protect your rights, you should speak with a Virginia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Once you have missed this deadline, you will no longer be able to file a claim for financial recovery.
Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyers
When you put your trust in the Serpe Firm, you can rest easy knowing we’ll act with your best interests in mind. With open ears and hearts, our team is eager to help you in your hour of need.
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact us for a free consultation (757)233-0009.
