In Virginia, on average, there is a car accident every four minutes. 182 people are injured a day due to traffic accidents.
Car accident injuries span from minor cuts and bruises to serious bodily damage and death. These accidents, whether minor or major, can lead to permanent physical injury, financial pressures, emotional stress, and impactful legal consequences.
Your insurance company may not be making decisions with your best interests in mind; their concerns aren’t always focused on the needs of you and your loved ones. This is why it is crucial to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and represent your best interests. A trusted personal injury lawyer will make sure you are heard, and your financial and medical needs are compensated.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You
At Parks Zeigler, our car accident lawyers have years of experience fighting for clients who have been in all kinds of auto accidents. We are as confident as we are familiar when dealing with Virginia traffic law cases. Each case is different, and the contingencies of each case will influence the amount of your claim. Our car accident lawyers will guide you through the process and suggest a strategy that we believe will be most effective for your situation. We will provide you with the facts of the case as they relate to your unique legal circumstance, and will do all we can to ensure that you are compensated for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages and future income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Rehabilitation
As stated above, every car accident case is unique. While it may be easier to prove fault in a rear-end collision case, other cases need a deeper analysis by a seasoned personal injury lawyer. If you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, our Parks Zeigler personal injury team can assist you with navigating tricky insurance company requests, help subpoena crucial case evidence, and offer high quality legal support to you in this difficult time. We will analyze the facts of your case, determine a value for your deserved compensation, and fight until you receive that compensation.
Injury Claim Process
The first step in the process is healing. When you’ve reached “maximum medical recovery” we can push your claim forward. In other words, we want complete information about your bills, treatment, injuries and recovery before your claim is settled.
When we have that information, and you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, we will often send a “demand letter” to the insurance company to start negotiations. In some instances we will also file suit immediately, in order to force decisive action by the insurance companies. But in any event, this is the start of the negotiation process.
If we are unable to come to an agreement with the insurance company for the at-fault party regarding your car accident, the next steps include filing a claim to launch a lawsuit with the appropriate circuit \or general district court. To begin a car accident claim in Virginia, you must file a complaint against the party that is at fault – called the “defendant’ – for your accident. In this complaint, you list the facts of your case; how you were hurt, how the accident happened, why you are not at fault, all associated damages, etc. To serve the at-fault party, you must send the at-fault party a copy of the complaint, labeled with the defendant’s correct address and name to minimize error. Then, the attorney for the defendant will file an answer to the complaint.
Despite the extent of your injuries, your time to file a claim is not unlimited. According to VA Code §8.01-243, a court will only hear a case if you file within two years of the date of your accident. Contact a personal injury lawyer on our team as soon as possible to help you file a claim within this time limit, so you can receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Proving Fault in a Car Accident
In car accidents, there is a duty and expectation of drivers to drive safely and obey the rules and regulations of the road. Anyone driving has a duty to drive safely and protect the other motorists around them. To prove negligence in a Virginia car accident claim, the court will require more than a police report. Statements from police officers and eyewitnesses will be able to support claims of negligence with evidence that the defendant was driving recklessly— perhaps driving under the influence or distracted driving. In Virginia, the legal definition of negligence is very distinct and specific. To prove negligence against the at-fault party in your car accident claim, you must prove:
- The defendant owes you a duty of care prior to your injury
- The defendant’s negligence in the car accident violated the duty of care
- The negligence and violation of this duty of care caused your injuries in your car accident
Parks Zeigler experienced personal injury lawyers can help you through this stressful process of proving fault in your car accident claim.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
The damage caused by car accidents can range from small bumps and bruises to severe injuries, up to fatalities. Serious injuries can occur even in a low-speed accident. Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents are:
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Neck strain
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Bruises, cuts
- Separated joints
Any physical injuries you may suffer can form the foundation of a Virginia car accident claim; however, a more in-depth, comprehensive case should observe the impact the accident has made to other parts of your life. Your car accident claim could request compensation for not just your medical fees, but compensation for the negative impact upon your quality of life. For example, you may be restricted from participating in your hobbies like you normally would. Connect with a trusted personal injury lawyer at Parks Zeigler to bring a human outlook on proving your injuries.
Contact Our Experienced Virginia Car Accident Lawyers Today For a Free Personal Injury Case Evaluation
If you’ve been in a car accident, make sure you hire our personal injury attorney to recover damages! You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering if you have been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident as a result of someone else’s negligence. Call us at 888-691-9319 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys or fill out a quick form to get more information on how we can help you today!