Car Accident Lawyer Charlottesville VA

Car Accident Lawyer Charlottesville VA

If you have been in a car accident, you need the help of a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA. In the United States, someone dies in a car accident an average of once every 15 minutes. Many of these car accidents occur not because of bad weather, traffic, or road construction – factors drivers have little control over – but because drivers violate safety rules and make careless choices. Sometimes however, the cause is due to a distracted or reckless driver who was driving irresponsibly. When people don’t consider the safety of others on the road, innocent victims can be left seriously injured. Often they are left without a way to pay for their accident-related expenses.  When that happens, victims may need to speak with a car accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA residents look to from MartinWren, P.C.

Behavior that Leads to Car Accidents

Drivers are required to follow all state and federal laws related to road safety, including speed limit regulations, alcohol consumption rules, cell phone use laws, and right of way directions. Many drivers fail to realize that only a few seconds of taking your eyes off the road can lead to a collision. For example, if you are driving at 55 miles per hour, that is equivalent to driving 80 feet per second. In just a few seconds, you cover a distance of a few hundred feet. You can strike a person and seriously injure them at that time. Small actions such as sending a quick text message or eating while driving can have huge consequences. Drivers have to act responsible and drive in a manner that keeps themselves and others safe. It is part of safe driving to behave with reasonable care. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to live up to their obligations. Many drivers think that their driving skills are good enough where they can multitask effectively. The reality is that driving safely demands full attention, and any kind of distraction, no matter how long it is, significantly increases your risk of getting in a car accident.

There are many types of driving behaviors that increase your chances of getting into an accident. Many drivers engage in a variety of risky behavior, including:

  • Distracted Driving: During the daylight hours, 660,000 drivers talk on their cell phones while driving, and many more send and receive text messages and emails. Other drivers tend to reach for objects in their vehicle or attempt to pick up dropped objects while they are driving. (NHTSA)
  • Speeding: One driver out of every five admits to traveling too fast to reach his destination as quickly as he can while behind the wheel. Speeding is dangerous because you have less control of your vehicle and cannot brake in time to avoid a collision.  (NHTSA)
  • Drowsy Driving: A survey of drivers throughout the U.S. revealed that 4.2 percent of motorists reported falling asleep behind the wheel in the 30 days prior to completing the survey. This is especially common among commercial truck drivers and drivers who commute long distances to and from work. (CDC)
  • Drunk Driving: Around 300,000 incidents of drunk driving occur every day. Driving while drunk results in delayed reaction times, poor hand-eye coordination, blurred vision, and impaired night vision. (MADD)

Other leading causes of motor vehicle crashes include a failure to yield the right of way, driving recklessly, and a failure to obey traffic signals such as stop signs and red lights. If you have been hurt by a reckless driver, you may be entitled to recover damages for your injuries and loss. In any of these instances, it can be imperative that you contact a car accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA residents have relied on for years.

BEHAVIOR THAT LEADS TO CAR ACCIDENTS INFOGRAPHIC

BEHAVIOR THAT LEADS TO CAR ACCIDENTS INFOGRAPHIC

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes are often much more complex than ordinary car accidents. The injuries can be severe and insurance agents don’t always fully understand the physics of motorcycle movement. Other drivers aren’t always considerate of motorcyclists near them. Car and truck drivers can be similarly unaware of how motorcycles move, and can misgauge speed or be completely unaware of their presence on the road. Insurance companies and drivers will usually attempt to blame the motorcyclist for the accident and resultant injuries. Because of the lack of protective barriers and safety mechanisms for motorcyclists, they often result in moderate to severe injuries, or are fatal.

Consider hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer who has delivered positive results for clients injured in an accident. Retain an experienced car accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA motorcyclists rely upon as soon as possible. Contact MartinWren, P.C. for a motorcycle accident lawyer, with offices in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, VA, we will be there for you and your case.

Legal Action After An Accident

When a driver makes a careless choice or breaks the rules of the road, the law requires that motorist to be held accountable for the serious injuries or fatalities he or she causes. It is up to victims, however, to negotiate settlements with auto insurers or to pursue personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits in court. This process can be confusing and often involves many hurdles, so obtaining legal advice is recommended so that you understand where to start and how to move forward with your claim. That’s when you’ll want to contact the car accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA residents have trusted with their car accident cases.

The legal process can be overwhelming and complex. The civil justice system is often difficult to navigate, especially as you cope with injuries or grief. Going through a legal battle is probably not appealing to you, especially so soon after your accident. However, there are many advantages to exploring the legal options available to you. If the at-fault driver was responsible for the accident that led to your injury, they should be held accountable for their role. As a victim, you have a right to file a claim against a negligent driver. With a lawyer’s help, you can be assured that you have the support you need as you go through the complex and stressful experience. The benefit of having an experienced car accident lawyer in your corner is that you do not have to worry about the intricacies of the process.

The lawyers at our Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, VA law firms will obtain police records from the car accident scene, consult with accident reconstruction experts to testify on your behalf, interview witnesses, and gather evidence to support your case.  As your legal counsel, we take the important and necessary steps to prove your claim.

Burden of Proof

After your accident, it is important to determine if the driver who caused the collision broke the law or acted negligently behind the wheel.

If the driver’s negligent or careless actions caused the accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-financial losses.  However, you will need to prove negligence, and you must establish that the negligence was the direct cause of your collision. A lawyer will investigate your case to see what evidence can be best used to support your claim. The Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, VA car accident lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. can review the circumstances of your accident and help you to determine if you meet the elements for a personal injury action.

Lawyer Advice: What Victims Should Do in the Moments After a Car Wreck

Whether a driver was involved in a small or large wreck, it is important that certain steps are taken. Anyone who has become a victim in a car accident, can rely on knowledgeable and compassionate legal services from a car accident lawyer Charlottesville, Virginia residents trust. Our law firm has seen just how much a car wreck can change a person’s life, for many months or years to come. Victims can help protect their interests by taking certain actions in the moments after a car wreck. Taking the right actions can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Please read the following information for tips on how to respond while still at the scene:

Talk with the Other Driver (But Not Too Much)

It is imperative to the success of your car accident claim to gather information from the other driver. You will need to write down their first and last name, driver’s license number, phone number, insurance carrier, and policy number. Be sure to copy this straight from their identification or insurance card, as some people who are at-fault for an accident may be tempted to give you false information.

You can talk with the other driver, but not too much in the sense that no statements should be made about who was responsible for the wreck happening. Never accept or state blame. Keep things as cordial as you can until police can arrive to further assess the situation.

Gather Key Pieces of Evidence (Photographs and People)

Before leaving the scene, take pictures and videos of anything related to the wreck. This could be things like objects flown from the car, broken windshields, glass on the ground, damage to both vehicles, visible injuries, and street signs. Photographs and people alike can be used as proof if you choose to take legal action against the driver who hit you.

A Charlottesville, VA car accident lawyer is likely to suggest that you simply obtain a witness’ contact, and then follow up with them at a later time for an official statement. The situation may be too tense to request an official statement. Plus, your lawyer can ask questions to confirm they can help, not hurt, your lawsuit.

Call for an Ambulance

It should go without saying that getting medical attention in the moments after a car accident is crucial to both your health and finances. If you were to delay receiving medical care, your injuries may worsen and you may be less likely to get the compensation you need in the civil lawsuit. The fact is, if you postpone getting medical care, the other driver’s lawyer may question why you didn’t go to the hospital if your injuries were as serious as you claim.

We can help you fight for the financial restitution needed to recover both physically and financially from the car wreck. Call us today for a free, no-strings-attached consultation with a lawyer at MartinWren, P.C.

Car Accident Lawyer for Facial Injuries

As a car accident lawyer Charlottesville, Virginia residents trust, we have seen the devastating effects of collisions. Broken bones, sprain, internal injuries, and head trauma are unfortunately all too common. However, so are facial injuries.

Although newer cars come equipped with better safety measures to protect the body, the face can remain exposed while driving. When an accident occurs, windshield fragments may fly into the face, the head could slam into the steering wheel, or an airbag could detonate and cause facial bruising. In the event of facial injuries in a car accident, you should consult a car accident lawyer from MartinWren, P.C. to determine whether or not compensation is available.

The Most Common Types of Facial Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

  • Broken Bones – The head and face are comprised of 14 different bones that could become broken in a car accident. A broken facial bone could lead to an injured eye, sinus cavity, mouth, or brain. Oftentimes a broken facial bone can cause extreme pain, chronic pain, and cosmetic issues.
  • Deformed Face – Even after the face is treated, it is possible that it will not heal correctly; thereby causing appearance problems, low self esteem, and a decrease in the quality of life.
  • Scarring – When glass or sharp objects penetrate the face, the chances of scarring occurring is high. Scars are often permanent and can be a constant reminder to the victim of what happened.
  • Burns – If the accident led to a fire, anyone involved could be burned by the heat, flames, or smoke.
  • Eye Damage – The eyes are a vulnerable part of the face. In a car accident the eyes could become scratched or blinded leading to a host of visual impairments.

MEDICAL CARE FOR FACIAL INJURIES SUSTAINED IN CAR ACCIDENTS

As a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA knows, most victims with facial accidents will need ongoing medical treatment to mend broken bones, treat burns, or address tissue damage. If negligence was a factor, medical care, such as the following treatments, may be included in a claim:

  • Surgery
  • Eye removal or replacement
  • Stiching
  • Tissue enhancement
  • Skin grafting
  • Cosmetic surgery or repair
  • Medication
  • Therapy and rehabilitation

These types of treatments are very costly and painful. Some will take months or years to complete. This is one reason why it is so important to retain a good car accident lawyer who will factor these ongoing expenses into your claim.

A Car Accident Lawyer for Facial Injuries

It is common for an insurance adjuster to allege the facial injuries are not serious or will not require ongoing care or treatment. Without a car accident lawyer on your side, who can argue against their bold statements, you could risk losing money you need and deserve.

Dealing with the Insurance Company

Dealing with insurance companies is not always the easiest of things to do. Any car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA will undoubtedly tell you that as well. Insurance companies are there to help in the event of an accident and offer some possible financial relief, but it does come with a caveat. They generally like to settle claims quickly and not always for the rightful amount that the victim deserves. It is normal for an insurance company to lowball with their first offer to see if you will accept a lower amount. This is when a MartinWren, P.C. lawyer can really help you out. The lawyer will listen to your case and find out all of the details through speaking with you and also reading the reports from the accident. If they find something isn’t adding up, then they could possibly raise that initial lowball offer to something much higher. lawyers are used to dealing with insurance companies and the offers that they give out to those affected by a car accident. Contact a lawyer from our firm today to get your case going. 

Injury Compensations

Injury compensations vary in car accidents from nothing to very high amounts that could even include 6 or 7 figures. Speak with a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA to learn more about the compensations that are involved in car accidents and how your case may be worth more than you originally thought. The experience that an attorney can offer from MartinWren, P.C. could see your case going from a small compensation package to a much larger and potentially even life changing one. As stated before, insurance companies generally try to get you to accept the first offer that they give. This is to try and save the insurance company money and not take the extent of your pain and suffering into account. Always take any injuries that you received from the accident into account and if you are even facing small pain, make sure to get this checked out by a doctor. These doctor visits should be factored into your compensation package. 

Pain & Suffering Compensation

Make sure that you take your pain and suffering seriously even if it doesn’t seem to be that bad at first. Some injuries take longer to show their full effects and could see you needing to have therapy sessions, future hospital visits and possible missed days at work. Get checked out by a doctor after your accident to make sure that you are ok. If something seems off with your body or emotional wellbeing, then remember that this too should be factored into a pain and suffering settlement. Some people receive injuries from car accidents that never allow them to be the same again. If a negligent driver has left you with damage to your body that may never heal properly or broken bones that affect your mobility, take this seriously and let your lawyer know. Those who do harm to others should be held accountable for their actions and the victims who have been severely affected should get the compensation that they rightfully deserve.  

4 Steps To Take When Hit By an Uninsured Driver 

Being involved in a car wreck caused by a negligent driver can turn your world upside down, but when you discover that driver has no insurance, it can cause even more distress. An uninsured driver has no ability to cover your medical bills or to repair or replace your vehicle, which can leave you with nowhere to turn. However, there are a few steps you can take to recover financially. 

  1. Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage 

One effective way to protect yourself against uninsured drivers is to carry coverage on your own insurance plan. You can ask your local representative what kinds of coverage they offer and whether it protects you against injuries, property damage or both. The amount of coverage for most insurance riders caps out at how much total protection you pay for. Coverage is likely to vary from company to company. 

  1. Contact Your Insurance Company 

When an accident occurs and you discover the other driver is uninsured, the next wise step is to call your own insurance company to ask about your coverage options. Depending on the plan you currently carry, you may have quite a bit of coverage there. For example, if you carry Personal Injury Protection or live in a state that follows no-fault laws, filing a claim with your own insurance company rather than that of the driver at fault may resolve coverage issues more quickly, especially because your insurance company covers your losses no matter who caused the accident. About a dozen states operate under no-fault laws. 

  1. Speak To a Lawyer

If your insurance company cannot offer you coverage, then you may want to contact a lawyer about bringing a lawsuit against the other driver. He or she can advise you about the validity of your case and whether the other party has enough assets to cover any judgments you might be awarded. You may also ask about settling out of court and whether the cost and effort are worth the possible outcome. 

  1. Make an Informed Decision 

While your lawyer can help you decide whether to sue the uninsured driver, it is important that you gather all the facts before you proceed. No matter what choice you make, remaining informed and gauging possible outcomes carefully can prevent a monetary loss and months of frustration as you seek closure to your accident. 

When an uninsured driver hits you, you may not know where to turn, but there is help available. Contact an lawyer today for more information and for guidance regarding your individual case. 

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer

It’s always a scary experience when you’re in a car accident, but it’s even worse when you don’t know what to do. Most people don’t know the first thing about dealing with car accidents, which is why it’s important to have a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA on your side.

There are a lot of reasons why you might need a car accident lawyer. Maybe you were injured in the accident and need someone to help you get the compensation you deserve. Or maybe the other driver was at fault and you need someone to represent your interests in court. No matter what your situation is, having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference.

A car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. They can also help with the insurance claims process and make sure you’re treated fairly by the insurance company. Contact a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA today to protect your rights.

When you choose Martin Wren, P.C., we will fight hard on your behalf and make sure that all of the responsible parties pay up when they owe it! With years of experience in personal injury law, our team knows exactly what needs to be done in order to help victims recover from their accidents both physically and financially – which means more money in your pocket at the end of the day! Let us put our knowledge and expertise behind helping people just like yourself who have been hurt through no fault of their own due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness!

There is no way for you to anticipate every single move of every single motorist on the roadway with you, and one wrong move can change your life. If you have been in a car accident and you are seeking a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville VA such as the ones available at Martin Wren PC, you’re in the right place. If you’ve never been in a car accident before then you have some questions and that’s okay because we are here to give you answers.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

This is a great question because even if you think you should be considered at blame even partially, you should first speak to your lawyer to ensure that the proper evidence has been gathered and reviewed. This is an important step to take before you claim that you were at fault for the accident, because there are multiple types of negligence that apply to car accidents.

A car accident lawyer in Charlottesville VA is going to tell you that they need to study your case before they can tell you who is at fault. Virginia is known to be a pure contributory negligence state; this means that the person determined to be at fault for the accident and anyway, even just partially, cannot receive damages for this accident. This means that if you are injured in a car accident and you are determined to be at fault, you cannot recover any money. You could be 1% at fault and you receive nothing.

An example of what this would look like when you go to court, is that you have been in an accident you were severely injured and you have a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville VA who is helping you with your case. You have medical bills, you have not been able to work, a drunk driver crossed over the median and hit your car head on when they were in your lane. This is a wrong way crash, and it’s very clear who is at fault. However if you are speeding at the time of this crash the court could determine that you were negligent by violating the speed laws, therefore you are considered at fault for this accident and you would not receive anything in recovery.

The other driver doesn’t have insurance, what does this mean for me?

If you are in a car accident and the other driver is an uninsured motorist, Virginia law does protect you against the negligence of drivers without auto insurance. Your insurance company is going to fill the shoes of the uninsured driver, and they will pay your injury claim. After this your insurance company then turns around and they go after the reckless and uninsured driver to attempt to get their money back from what they repaid you. This means that when you file for your insurance to drive your car you are paying uninsured motorist coverage which protects you if you or your family members are injured in a car accident involving an uninsured driver.

Why Hire Martin Wren, P.C. as Your Car Accident Lawyer 

Car accidents can be devastating. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it is important to understand your legal rights and options.

Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA will ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve following an automobile accident. Even if another driver was entirely at fault for causing your injuries, he or she may still try to deny responsibility and force you to fight for fair compensation on your own. 

Martin Wren has over 30 years of experience as a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA that can help you get the compensation you deserve after suffering from an injury due to someone else’s negligence. He understands how difficult this time can be and wants nothing more than to help his clients through these trying times by providing aggressive representation with compassion during their case proceedings. His goal is always the same; he wants every single one of his clients to receive the maximum amount of financial recovery possible under the law so they can focus on healing instead of worrying about money issues caused by their injuries. He will work tirelessly until he gets results!

You need someone who knows how to get the best possible outcome for your case. That means getting the maximum compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering damages. And that’s where we come in. We have years of experience representing clients just like you – people who were hurt because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness behind the wheel. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients recover from their injuries, so they can focus on healing instead of worrying about legal matters.

Contact Our Virginia Lawyers

We serve clients throughout Virginia — from Charlottesville and Central Virginia to metropolitan Richmond; Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley to Roanoke; and the cities of Hampton Roads to the Northern Virginia cities of  Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington.

To speak with one of our attorneys, please call us at (434) 817-3100.

Our Virginia personal injury lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. have a statewide practice and offer free consultations at a time and location that is convenient for you.  We will gladly meet with you at your home or at the hospital, even on nights and weekends.

SEND US A MESSAGE

Disclaimer: Using this contact form or any page of MartinWren, P.C.’s website does not establish an attorney-client relationship.  Please do not submit any confidential, privileged, or other protected information until and unless you have completed a private consultation with a MartinWren, P.C. attorney, the attorney has informed you that no conflict of interest exists, and the attorney notifies you that the firm can take your case. By completing this form you agree that we can follow up with you by phone, email, or by text messaging.

    *Please enter your initials to acknowledge that you have read and understood the Disclaimer above:

    To schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, please call us at (434) 817-3100.

    latest firm news