A car crash carries with it a high potential for damage. Between the cost of seeking medical care for your injuries or finding yourself unable to work due to your physical limitations, it may be difficult to get back to normal. Sadly, for some families dealing with the loss of a loved one in a car accident, normal is no longer an option.
When someone else is responsible for your losses, however, you may be entitled to compensation. The Halperin Law Center is proud to represent the interests of, and fight for, accident victims throughout the Commonwealth. Only an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer can effectively handle the investigation, negotiation, and potential trial involved in vehicle accidents to ensure the best outcome for you.
A car accident can be caused by various reasons. When the carelessness or negligence of another caused the injuries you’ve sustained, you may be able to pursue compensation by filing a car accident claim.
Some types of car accidents that our experienced lawyers can help you handle include:
One of the first questions people have after getting injured in a car accident is “what do I do next?”. Things to consider include; how do you file a claim? It is necessary to consult a car accident attorney? Industry statistics show that car accident claimants receive higher settlements when represented by experienced attorneys.
Although you’re certainly allowed to file your car accident claim by yourself, your chances of winning your claim and maximizing your settlement can increase substantially with a lawyer’s assistance. When you go with an experienced auto accident attorney, they can help your case by:
One of the most important considerations for a car accident victim in Virginia is the timeline. According to the state statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the accident date to file suit with the responsible party and their insurance company.
For that reason, it’s never too early to get started. One of our experienced attorneys will help you meet the statutory deadline.
When the thought of a painful litigation process is too much to bear, remember that we can make the accident claims process easier than you think, taking the stress off of you so that you can focus on your recovery.
This answer depends on a variety of factors, but in summary, the injury-causing accident must be the result of the wrongful act of another person or company. According to the Virginia Contributory Negligence law, in most circumstances if you are at all responsible for the accident or injury, you cannot recover. That being said, you should not necessarily trust the opinion or advice of an insurance company or claims adjuster as to whether or not you are at fault or contributed to the accident, as they may not (and likely do not) have your best interests in mind. Contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury or wrongful death law to make this determination.
Though very common, this is a difficult question to answer at the beginning of a case. Each case is different, involving multiple factors, many of which may be unknown at the time of your injury. In short, these types of cases are designed to compensate you for damages (physical and financial) you have suffered. The amount of compensation depends on factors such as: severity of the injuries and whether they were permanent or disfiguring; if a hospital stay was required; the amount of time (and/or pay) lost from work; the amount of your past and future medical bills; whether or not surgery was required; and/or available insurance coverage. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine the relevant specifics of your situation and estimate the potential value of your case.
The amount of time you have to make a claim from the date of the accident/injury depends on where the accident happened and the type of claim you are making. In Virginia, it is generally 2 years from the date of the injury, however there are some governmental claims that must be brought within a year. In the District in Columbia, it’s usually 3 years from the date of injury. In Maryland, it’s typically the same. However, there are exceptions, and you should contact a trial lawyer who specializes in personal injury or wrongful death cases in order to determine how long you have to file a claim.