Being involved in an accident is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. Victims face months of recovery, thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages, and sometimes even pain that can last a lifetime. Thankfully, Virginia accident victims can take legal recourse to get compensation for the damages they have suffered.
That being said, it is important to consult a personal injury attorney who will stand up for your rights and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. In Virginia, few personal injury law firms have the reputation and success of Richmond-based Burnett & Williams, making them a great resource for those looking for Virginia personal injury settlement help.
What should a personal injury settlement include?
What many people do not realize is that a personal injury settlement should include not just tangible costs, such as medical expenses, but also intangible ones, including pain and suffering, lost income, and loss of companionship. In many cases, the injuries that a victim sustains in a car accident, truck accident, slip or fall, or other accident can have permanent, life-changing effects that interfere with their ability to work or enjoy life for the rest of their lives. Why should the victim have to suffer for the rest of their life due to someone else’s negligence?
Still, insurance companies will try their best to pay you less than what you deserve for your personal injury claim. Insurance adjusters will try every trick in the book to try to get you to accept a lowball offer, from trying to wait you out in the hopes that you will accept a low offer in desperation to trying to convince you that you won’t get anything if you don’t accept their settlement offer. However, there are certain steps victims can take to best prepare themselves and their cases to obtain fair compensation.
What to do at the scene of an injury in Virginia
The most important thing an accident victim can do at the scene of an accident is contact the authorities immediately. Doing so will have an officer dispatched to conduct a preliminary investigation and file a report, and emergency services will come to the scene to provide medical care.
If you have experienced severe injuries, take an ambulance from the scene. However, even if your injuries seem minor, go to an urgent care or primary care doctor no later than a few days after the accident, as some injuries, such as concussions or whiplash, are invisible and can only be diagnosed by a medical professional.
If you can safely do so at the scene, it is important to document the scene of the accident to the best of your ability. Take photos of everything from the property damage that occurred, any injuries, the environmental conditions, and anything else that may have contributed to the cause of the accident.
Also, make an effort to collect contact information from any potential witnesses to the accident. These photos and witnesses will be instrumental in painting a picture of the accident narrative in the moment.
Another important consideration for accident victims — and one of the most commonly forgotten things — is to say as little as possible to the other party. “The extent of your communication with the other driver should be asking if they need an ambulance and giving your contact and insurance information to them,” says C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams. “You don’t want to say too much and risk admitting fault. Even something as simple as saying, ‘I’m sorry,’ can be seen as an admission of fault.”
After the police report is filed and you have sought medical attention, the next step is to contact a personal injury attorney. Williams suggests that victims avoid delaying contacting an attorney, as getting the ball rolling early gives your lawyer as much time as possible to prepare your case.
“If you wait too long to contact an attorney, you may find yourself facing an expired statute of limitations, which is the amount of time you have by law to file a lawsuit,” explains Williams. “If you miss this deadline, you will be unable to recover any damages. In Virginia law, as in many states, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is two years from the date of an accident.” Other issues include the preservation of evidence, such as the black boxes in cars that record basic but important information, including speed, brake application, and engine performance, all of which can be critical if liability is disputed. “If those issues are identified by your lawyer for your case, then certain steps must be taken to preserve the evidence. Don’t delay in retaining counsel,” Williams advises.
Why hire a personal injury lawyer for your personal injury case?
You might be wondering how a personal injury lawyer will actually help you with your case. For one, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. The process of filing an insurance claim requires a lot of paperwork that can be quite complicated. Your attorney will handle all of this for you, preventing you from making any mistakes in filing your claim and allowing you to spend less time worrying about your insurance claim and focus more on what matters most: your recovery.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney will also give you access to resources that you would not be able to receive without them. When a personal injury attorney takes on your case, they will begin with a deeper investigation into your case beyond what the medical records and police reports say. They may consult expert witnesses, such as medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists, whose testimony can strengthen your case. Remember, the insurance companies are multibillion-dollar corporations with virtually limitless resources at their disposal. An attorney can help level the playing field.
Finally, an attorney’s negotiation tactics can add leverage and credibility to your case. If your attorney has a successful track record of winning accident cases in Virginia, the insurance company might be tempted to accept a higher settlement out of fear that they may have to pay more if your case goes to trial. This credibility is an advantage that no self-representing victim has on their side.
Contact a Virginia personal injury attorney today for help with your personal injury claim
If you have been the victim of an auto accident, slip and fall, or other accident in Virginia and need an attorney, do not delay — contact a personal injury attorney for help with your personal injury lawsuit.
“Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case to determine if we are the right fit to get you the fair settlement you deserve.”