Understanding when to get a lawyer for a car accident may seem obvious, but anyone who has been involved in a collision knows how overwhelming the aftermath can be. You do not want to face accusations of filing a frivolous lawsuit or not being taken seriously when it took every ounce of energy you had to reach out for help.
Fortunately, when you turn to a compassionate and reputable Richmond car accident lawyer from MartinWren, P.C., you can get the answers you need when you need them most.
We can help you determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim and help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve. You may not know when to get a lawyer for a car accident, but there is no better time than the present.
Here is more about how you can determine when hiring a lawyer for a car accident may be in your best interest and what to expect when you take action.
When in Doubt, Call MartinWren, P.C. for Help
Do not feel discouraged if you are not sure whether you should get a lawyer for a car accident. It is common for injury victims to be unsure of how best to proceed.
When in doubt, it may be in your best interest to turn to a reputable Richmond motorcycle accident lawyer from MartinWren, P.C., to review the circumstances of your case.
We are ready to listen to your story. In doing so, we will gain insight into whether you have grounds for a legal claim. There are several questions you can ask yourself before contacting our office for help, and if you don’t know the answer or are unsure, a car accident attorney may likely benefit your case.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Who Is Liable?
If you do not know who is responsible for causing the accident, getting a legal representative to take on your case may be beneficial. You might assume the driver who hit you is at fault, but this may not always be the case. This is especially true if your collision was caused by defective motor vehicle parts or dangerous road conditions.
Figuring out who is responsible in cases like these can be a challenging process. We may need to hire experts and other professionals to help us analyze the evidence and establish culpability. If you know who is responsible for causing the accident, contacting a lawyer is often the first step in holding the at-fault party accountable.
Do You Share Fault?
If you are partially responsible for causing the accident, it could have a significant impact on your ability to move forward with your case. In some states, sharing blame will reduce your settlement. However, Virginia follows pure contributory negligence laws, though there are some exceptions.
Sharing blame means you lose your right to compensation. The liable party may attempt to blame you to avoid their financial responsibility for your damages. If this is the case, do not panic or lose hope.
Your car accident attorney with MartinWren, P.C. may be able to challenge the defense’s partial fault claims. If our evidence is strong, the judge or jury may determine that you are not responsible for causing the accident. This way, the liable party cannot take advantage of you during your greatest time of need.
How Long do You Have to File?
If you do not know how much longer you have to file your claim, getting a lawyer for your car accident may be well advised. If you miss the statute of limitations claim filing deadline, the court system will refuse to hear your case. Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Virginia is two years, according to Virginia Law §8.01-243.
However, several circumstances may allow the countdown to temporarily pause. Tolling the statute of limitations, as it is known, could be possible if the injuries leave the victim incapacitated. The countdown could also pause in instances where minor children suffer injuries in a car accident.
In addition to statutes of limitations, certain claims against certain defendants also require the injured party to provide notice of the incident within a short period of time or else the claim will be barred.
How Extensive Are Your Losses?
It may surprise you to learn how much more extensive your losses may be. You may have hoped to recover compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and maybe your lost income. However, there are a wide variety of economic and non-economic damages that may also apply, significantly increasing the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
When you get a lawyer for a car accident, you can gain insight into what your damages are actually worth. You can also find out whether punitive damages may be awarded. Per Virginia Law §8.01-38.1, these are only issued if the defendant intended to cause injuries or acted with willful and wanton negligence.
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Is Your Insurance Settlement Enough?
You may believe you can handle an insurance claim filing on your own. However, anything you say to the insurance adjuster could be misinterpreted and used to reduce your settlement.
You may even receive a quick settlement offer from the insurance company but did not realize that your settlement should be considerably higher.
A Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyer with our firm can review your insurance settlement offer or the policy in question to determine how much the insurance company should owe you. If they handle your claim in bad faith, we will be prepared to take action. We are not afraid to show the insurer that you mean business.
Speak with a Top-Rated Richmond Car Accident Attorney for Help Today
When you are doubting whether you need to get a lawyer for a car accident, it may be in your best interest to schedule a free consultation.
Most respected personal injury law firms will be willing to speak with you for free about how your accident occurred and the extent of your damages. We need to determine whether you have grounds for a claim and how significantly your life has been affected by the injuries sustained.
When you choose MartinWren, P. C., you can work with a leading Richmond personal injury lawyer on contingency, paying nothing out of your own pocket.
Explore your options for justice in greater detail when you contact our legal team to request a free, no-obligation consultation. Get started on your civil and insurance claims as soon as today when you call us or fill out our confidential contact form.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
