Virginia law allows you to pursue compensation through a claim or lawsuit when you suffer injuries in a car accident. Financial recovery can account for your medical treatment, property damage costs, and “pain and suffering” and inconvenience.
A Woodbridge car accident lawyer from our firm can analyze your legal options and help you navigate the claims process. Attorney Jim Parrish and the legal team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, are ready to help you get a fair settlement for your car accident claim. We know you want the best possible outcome, and we will do everything possible to secure it.
You do Not Pay Anything Up Front or Out of Pocket
Our law firm does not charge hourly fees or send you surprise bills or invoices. We work on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that our firm only gets paid if we help you win your case or reach a settlement with the insurance company.
You do not pay our attorney’s fees out of pocket. Instead, a portion of your settlement pays for our legal services. That means we do not get paid until the conclusion of your case. You owe no fees to our office if your case does not achieve a settlement or court award.
How Long You Have to File Your Car Accident Lawsuit in Virginia
The statute of limitations in your case depends on various aspects of your accident, such as:
- Whether you are filing an injury lawsuit. Per Va. Code § 8.01-243, you generally have two years to file your case. This deadline begins from the date of your collision, although some factors can alter this deadline.
- Whether you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Per Va. Code § 8.01-244, you have two years to file your wrongful death case. This deadline begins from the date of your loved one’s passing, although other factors can affect this time frame.
You must file your car accident lawsuit on time. Failing to do so could leave you without financial recovery options. A Woodbridge car accident attorney can examine all relevant deadlines and determine how they apply to your case.
Woodbridge Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
How does the Auto Accident Insurance Claims Process Work in Virginia?
Virginia motorists must carry the minimum amount of liability insurance or a certificate of self-insurance, as outlined under Va. Code § 46.2-472. This coverage reimburses injured claimants after an accident.
We must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover this compensation. But what does this involve?
We Start by Calculating Your Damages
To determine the value of your car accident case, we will add up your damages. Then, your personal injury team will send the insurer a demand letter outlining the money you need. Unfortunately, our team rarely receives the full amount we request on the first try.
However, it gives us a good starting point to negotiate the settlement to cover your current and future losses.
We Negotiate an Offer
Usually, we resolve car accident claims through insurance settlements. Sometimes, however, the insurer refuses to agree to our terms. If this happens, your injury lawyer can move forward with a lawsuit. Our firm will fight for the money you need either in or out of court.
What Types of Damages Can I Expect from My Car Accident Case?
Compensable losses are divided into the following categories:
Economic Damages (Losses with Financial Values)
These are likely the damages you consider first after an accident. They include your direct financial losses. Depending on your accident, recoverable damages may include:
- Your medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- A rental car while yours is in the shop
- Assistive medical equipment
- Miscellaneous accident-related expenses
- Funeral expenses (for wrongful death claimants)
You can also recover damages you have not yet incurred. For example, if you suffered significant injuries, you will likely have ongoing care costs or future medical needs. You may also be unable to return to work because of permanent injuries. Therefore, we request compensation to cover all losses and future expenses.
Non-Economic Damages (Non-Financial Losses)
Non-economic damages do not have an intrinsic monetary value. However, these damages offer a way to compensate accident victims for their physical suffering and emotional stresses.
Specific examples include:
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
- Disability
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
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How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
In their initial consultations, many claimants want to know what their cases are worth. But unfortunately, there is no good one-size-fits-all value that encapsulates all accident claims.
To calculate your losses, we will need to:
- Investigate your accident
- Discuss your prognosis with experts
- Learn the costs of your treatment and repairing your vehicle
- Analyze other costs associated with your crash
Once we thoroughly understand your current losses, expected future expenses, and emotional hardships, we estimate the value of your case.
We Must Prove Negligence to “Win” Your Case
Many car accident claims hinge on the principle of negligence. Therefore, we must show that the other driver’s actions caused your accident to recover compensation for your damages.
Usually, this requires providing evidence to show the driver broke at least one traffic law.
Imagine, for example, you suffered severe injuries when another driver failed to yield the right-of-way. You were not speeding but could not stop in time to avoid the collision.
To establish negligence, our legal team would show:
- The at-fault party had an obligation to drive their vehicle with care.
- The at-fault party failed to do this.
- The at-fault party caused the accident.
- You suffered financial losses as a result.
We Must Gather Evidence to Prove Negligence
Our legal team can identify and collect the following evidence to support your case:
- The police report from Prince William County (that you must file within 24 hours)
- Eyewitness accounts of your crash
- Images of the scene, your damaged vehicle, and your injuries
- Videos of the collision, when available
- Your medical records concerning your accident-related injuries
- Accident reconstructions performed by experts
- Testimony from healthcare professionals
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Woodbridge
After a car accident in Woodbridge, one of your lawyer’s most important responsibilities will be figuring out what caused your accident. In addition, the person or party responsible for causing your accident will be compelled to cover your damages.
With that in mind, car accidents can occur in various ways. Under the worst conditions, car accidents can happen in virtually any situation. However, some situations arise often. Some of these include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Driving while fatigued
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield to the right of way
- Failure to stop at a traffic light or stop sign
- Tailgating and making illegal turns
- Dangerous conditions on the roads
- Poor weather
- Wildlife
- Defective motor vehicle parts
Reviewing the cause of your collision will give your attorney a better understanding of who is at fault for your injuries. Our team will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident to reveal the truth.
For instance, if you were involved in a collision with a drunk driver, you might be surprised to learn that you have grounds for a claim against the drunk driver and can also file a lawsuit against the dram shop that overserved or sold them alcohol.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The steps you take after a car accident in Woodbridge are critical. Here is what to do:
Call 911
Call 911 to get police and emergency responders dispatched to the accident scene. Police will do a mini-investigation into the cause of your accident, file a police report, and determine who is at fault for causing the collision.
Gather Evidence
While you wait for emergency responders and police to arrive at the scene of the accident, do what you can to gather evidence. This may include obtaining insurance and contact details of involved parties, getting the contact information and statements of witnesses, making notes of addresses and businesses that might have caught your accident on camera, and taking photos and videos of the scene of your injuries.
Get Medical Attention
As soon as emergency responders arrive at the scene of the accident, it is essential to obtain a medical evaluation. However, you do not want to risk your injury settlement by waiting to get medical care.
If the defendant discovers you did not receive medical care immediately after the accident, they may be inclined to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you are saying or that your injuries occurred in another way.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Woodbridge
After receiving medical care, do not hesitate to contact a car accident attorney in Woodbridge for help. Your attorney can ensure your claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires, conduct an in-depth investigation into the cause of your accident, quantify your damages, and advocate for the total recovery of your losses in court and with the insurance company.
Discuss Your Claim with a Woodbridge Car Accident Attorney Today!
Parrish Law Firm, PLLC knows how to navigate the insurance claims process and recover the compensation you need. Our founder, Jim Parrish, used to represent the insurance companies. He knows how to address bad-faith insurance tactics and fight for what injured claimants need.
Contact our office to learn about starting your claim with a free car accident case review. Feel free to ask us about partnering with our Woodbridge car accident lawyers for your case.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form