Someone’s negligence has changed the course of your life, and you need to recover financial compensation for your losses to move forward. Working with a Richmond personal injury lawyer from MartinWren, P.C., is the best decision you can make.
Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, call us to discuss it in a free consultation. We have been in business for over 15 years and are ready to put our experience to the test for you.
The Importance of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Richmond
Catastrophic injuries can permanently alter the course of your life after becoming a personal injury victim. When you are suddenly injured, suffering from extreme emotional distress, and dealing with an excess of medical bills and other financial losses, you may be anxious to hold the liable party accountable.
Unfortunately, at-fault parties’ insurance companies often do everything they can to avoid financial responsibility. This can occur for larger cases or where the defendant is a large corporation. However, enlisting the services of a highly skilled Richmond personal injury lawyer from MartinWren, P.C., is the best way to recover the fair compensation that is rightfully yours.
With a track record that includes three of Virginia’s largest 14 personal injury jury verdicts in 2023, our legal team has the experience and motivation to handle injury claims at any level. Learn more about how the personal injury claims process works and what to expect from your claims when you contact our law office to request a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Types of Accidents That Warrant Calling a Personal Injury Lawyer
Working with a personal injury lawyer in Richmond from MartinWren, P.C., offers many benefits. We can help you understand what legal options are available to you when someone else’s negligence causes your accident and debilitating injuries. Nearly any type of accident or injury that dramatically affected your life may have grounds for a claim.
Some of the most common types of legal representatives you may need after a serious accident include:
- Richmond Burn Injury Lawyer: Whether your burn injuries were caused by a car accident or a work-related incident, our firm can help you recover compensation. We have experience handling burn injuries caused in a variety of situations.
- Richmond Car Accident Lawyer: After a motor vehicle wreck, our team can help you identify the liable party and make them pay. We have deep experience handling Virginia car accident claims of all types.
- Richmond Medical Malpractice Lawyer: Do not let negligent healthcare providers get away with medical malpractice. We know how to seek compensation from hospitals and doctors who harm our clients.
- Richmond Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Your motorcycle accident injuries may be catastrophic, so hold the liable party accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We know the rules of the road for motorcyclists. And we know that a fender bender for cars could be a life-altering event for a motorcyclist.
- Richmond Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: The trauma of your pedestrian accident injuries may be all-consuming. Make the liable party compensate you fairly. We have achieved significant results for clients injured in pedestrian collisions.
- Richmond Slip and Fall Lawyer: Most slip and fall accidents are caused by irresponsible property owners. After we conduct a comprehensive investigation, we can determine who is liable. This is true when the slip and fall happens in a restaurant, grocery store, or an icy parking lot.
- Richmond Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer: When your spinal cord has a debilitating injury, take action against the at-fault party. We have deep experience helping clients who experience life-changing spinal cord injuries.
- Richmond Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer: Commercial truck accident claims are notoriously complicated, so make sure you have a reputable legal advocate working for you. MartinWren, P.C. has the first and only attorney in Virginia who is board certified in Truck Accident Law.
- Richmond Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer: If you have suffered a catastrophic head or brain injury, MartinWren, P.C., can help you demand justice. We have deep experience handling traumatic brain injury claims of all types.
- Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer: When your truck accident injuries have taken over your life, contact our legal team to discuss your options further. Let Virginia’s first and only attorney who is board certified in Truck Accident Law help in your case.
- Richmond Wrongful Death Lawyer: If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions, we may be able to help you file a wrongful death claim.
As a personal injury attorney with decades of experience, you can trust that MartinWren, P.C., will be there to fight for your fair recovery of any losses we can prove. Insurance companies often want you to settle for less than you are owed and push to encourage it. We aim to minimize those risks by providing you with exceptional legal representation you can count on.
We are aggressive and will fight to get the most amount of money for you. We will try to do that by settling the case. If the case cannot settle for an acceptable amount, we will proceed to litigation by filing a lawsuit. That will typically cause the insurance company to offer more money, but it does involve more time. If the insurance company does not provide full and fair value in litigation, we may proceed all the way to a jury trial. Jury trials are rare, but we have found that juries, especially in Richmond, offer far more to resolve claims than insurance companies typically do.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Advocate
It is normal to be unsure whether you need a personal injury lawyer to take on your case. You may want to save money by representing yourself. But when you are still healing from your injuries, these legal details can be complicated and difficult to understand. If your injuries are severe and permanent, it is especially important for you to hire a skilled advocate.
You want to make the liable party pay and recover the compensation you need to get through these tough times. To succeed at that, it may be in your best interests to hire a legal advocate. We encourage you to contact us in the following situations at the very least:
- You are unsure who caused your injuries. You may know the name of the person involved. But were they working at the time? Were they acting as someone’s agent? Are they covered by another person’s or company’s insurance policy?
- The insurance company denied your claims. Did you submit the claim properly? Was it to the proper insurance company? Did you include all information?
- You were told you were at fault for the accident or your injuries. Does the law give the defendant a defense to use?
- You have catastrophic, or long-lasting, injuries. Are your injuries permanent? Will they require medical care and expenses into the future?
- You are struggling with mental health complications. Do you have proper diagnoses and treatment from the right kind of mental health providers? Are you still having some residual problems?
- The insurance company wants you to settle now and is not giving you time. Are they rushing you? Are they discouraging you from talking to an attorney?
- The police believe you are partially at fault. What are they relying upon for that? Did you tell them that you were at fault? If so, were you just trying to be a peacemaker?
- The insurance company is claiming that your case is not worth much, but your gut says otherwise. Has the crash had a major impact on your life?
By taking steps now, you can determine whether you have a case and what your rights are within it. As a proven Richmond personal injury attorney, we know firsthand how important it is to be thorough in these cases. Do not trust the insurance company; instead, set up a free consultation with our lawyers.
Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (434) 817-3100
Do Not Wait to Get Insight Into Your Rights—Call an Attorney Now
Picking up the pieces of your life after enduring a devastating injury can seem impossible. But with the financial support you need, you can cover your outstanding expenses and build a brighter future. Holding the liable party accountable does not need to be overwhelming when you have a Richmond personal injury attorney from MartinWren, P.C., handling your case.
You can rely on our team to consider every possible opportunity for legal recourse and ensure we have accounted for every loss impacting your life following the accident. Do not let your traumatic injuries define you. Pick up the phone and call our office or complete our secure contact form to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation today.
Our clients often have no idea if they have the right to pursue a lawsuit or if they should just accept what the insurance company is offering. We want you to have the insight and legal guidance you need during this challenging time. Set up a free consultation with a Richmond personal injury lawyer to learn more. Let us fight for you.
Common Injuries in Personal Injury Claims
Many of our clients report a number of injuries that can be result from traumatic events like car accidents, truck crashes, slips and falls, and medical malpractice claims. While some injuries may be minor, the fallout of injuries could continue to impact your life for months or years to come. Common injuries that you may be experiencing after an accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe. Sometimes they are not obvious, particularly when the client has suffered extensive other injuries. We are experienced handling TBIs of all severities.
- Spinal cord injuries. Bad car or truck accidents can cause a variety of injuries to the spine that can sever or pinch the spinal cord. When that happens, the results can be devastating and can result in paralysis.
- Spine injuries. Even when spinal fractures or other vertebral injuries do not injure the spinal cord, they can still impact other nerves and cause debilitating problems. This can cause sciatica, radiculopathy, and a variety of problems with pain, numbness, tingling, or other issues.
- Broken bones and fractures. Virtually any kind of bone can be broken in a traumatic event. We have helped clients with broken bones in their faces, hands, feet, arms, legs, spine, ribs, and many other areas of their bodies.
- Nerve damage. Nerves can be damages in trauma when they are unnaturally stretched, pinched, or severed. This can cause horrific pain, loss of sensation, or loss of use.
- Burn injuries. Burns can be caused by fire, chemical, friction from road rash, or other causes.
- Internal injuries. Severe trauma can jostle or impact organs or cause other types of internal damages.
- Amputations. Some trauma can be so severe that it may not be possible to save fingers, toes, arms and legs. Amputation may occur, leaving lifelong consequences.
- Wrongful death. Some experiences may cause the ultimate loss, the death of a loved one.
Keep a personal journal of every way your life has been affected by your injuries so we can easily prove you are justified in seeking the maximum compensation demanded in your personal injury lawsuit. Your right to compensation through a personal injury claim depends on how well you can document these losses. Let us get to work doing that for you.
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The Value and Benefits That a Personal Injury Attorney in Richmond Can Bring to Your Case
Many injury victims harbor concerns that they do not have the justification for a personal injury lawsuit. This is a misconception because many people believe that their injuries must be catastrophic or life-threatening to warrant legal action. However, if your injuries have profoundly impacted your life, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Insurance can address many of the financial struggles caused by your injuries and damages, but providers are only obligated to cover the losses specified in the liable party’s policy terms. If an insurance claim cannot cover your losses, your personal injury attorney in Richmond can pursue a lawsuit. You may not want to go to court, but it could be necessary.
This is when the true value of a knowledgeable and committed legal advocate for a Richmond claim will become apparent. With our resources and experience in the Virginia judicial system, we can help you navigate the legal process, understand your medical records, offer legal advice, and handle the details so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
What to Expect From Your Personal Injury Settlement
When you bring your personal injury lawsuit to trial, you have the right to be reimbursed for every loss related to your injuries. Your losses are categorized into economic damages, which are financial and easily calculated, and non-economic damages, which are intangible and more difficult to put a price on.
Examples of economic and non-economic damages that could be awarded in Richmond personal injury claims include:
- Past and future physical pain and suffering. You may recover money for both physical and emotional injuries, both for the past and in the future.
- Reduced earning capacity. Sometimes an injury may prevent you from being able to earn the maximum amount possible in your career. When that happens and you can prove it with expert testimony, you may have a claim for reduced earning capacity.
- Disfigurement and associated humiliation. Crashes and other injury-causing incidents can cause scarring or other forms of disfigurement. In addition to scars, this could include amputated fingers, toes, or even limbs.
- Loss of income, wages, and tips, past and future. Sometimes injuries can impact your ability to work. When that happens, you will lose wages and income. This is especially difficult when you live paycheck-to-paycheck.
- Loss of benefits provided by your employer. Missing time might cause you to lose out on certain benefits at work.
- Emotional trauma and distress. Insurance companies and juries are well acquainted with physical injuries than can occur. But juries are especially mindful of emotional injuries than can occur as a result of trauma.
- Current and future medical expenses. It is obvious that an injured party will be entitled to receive compensation for the medical bills and invoices they incur for necessary medical treatment. But if the injured party needs future medical care, that will usually require expert testimony from physicians and lifecare planners.
- Medical equipment. Injured parties who need medical devices and medical equipment will be able to make claims for those devices and equipment.
- Property damages. Many people who are involved in traumatic incidents will not only have injuries, they will have damage to vehicles, personal property, and other things.
According to Virginia Law § 8.01-38.1, punitive damages may be available as well. These can be awarded in personal injury lawsuits when the defendant’s conduct is found to be reprehensible, intentional, or in conscious disregard of the rights of others. While punitive damages will not apply to every case, they can significantly increase your total claim value when they do apply.
Richmond Personal Injury FAQ
What Does Pure Contributory Negligence Mean?
Virginia follows pure contributory negligence laws. In fact, Virginia is one of only five states, including Maryland, Alabama, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., that follow pure contributory fault laws.
Here, if you share even 1% of the responsibility for causing the accident or your subsequent injuries, you may be prohibited from pursuing your case at trial. Of course, this means defendants often attempt to blame injury victims for the accident.
Fortunately, when you have an experienced attorney in Richmond from our firm handling your case, you can rest easier. We will do everything possible to refute the liable party’s claims if they try to blame you for the accident, and we will look to find legal exceptions to contributory negligence laws. We will use our deep experience and creative approaches to find ways around contributory negligence that might otherwise undermine your injury case.
How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?
According to Virginia Law § 8.01-243, you typically have only two years from the day of your accident to file, but some may be longer, such as child injury cases. You may have even less time if the negligent party was a government agency or employee. However, this shorter deadline only applies to civil claims. This shorter deadline requires that certain notices be given to certain people about the claim.
The statute of limitations may also temporarily pause if you do not receive an official diagnosis of injuries related to the accident for days or weeks after the event. If your minor child was injured, the statute of limitations may pause until they reach the age of 18 and then expire two years later, which is known as “tolling” the statute of limitations.
Ascertaining deadlines for the statute of limitations and notice periods can be difficult legal questions. For that reason, it is vital that you consult with an attorney shortly after your claim arises so that you can avoid forfeiting your right to bring a claim.
What Is a Contingency Agreement?
Contingency agreements allow nearly anyone to afford the costs of hiring a Richmond personal injury lawyer to take on their case. With a criminal defense lawyer, legal representatives require retainer fees or have their clients pay an hourly rate. Working with a personal injury law firm on contingency for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit is different.
You do not pay any of the costs that come up as we pursue your case. You do not pay anything for attorney’s fees until we win. You will not have to pay attorney’s fees or costs that are incurred to litigate the matter if we do not recover compensation for your damages.
What is most important for you to remember is that you only pay for our legal services if we win your case and recover damages for you. This is critical because victims deserve to have a skilled lawyer working by their side.
What is the Process to Resolve My Case?
It is our policy to try to resolve a case quickly for our client so they can move on with their life. But our ability to do so quickly will depend on a number of factors. Most importantly, we want to make sure our client has reached what is called “maximum medical improvement” before we resolve a claim. That means that the client has returned or normal or is as close to normal as they will get. It is important to remember that our client has just one opportunity to resolve their claim. If they settle and then learn later that their condition is worse than expected, they will be prevented from seeking more money.
Once our client has reached maximum medical improvement, we will prepare a demand package that we present to the wrongdoer’s insurance company. Our demand package will use the law to explain how the defendant is legally responsible for our client’s injuries. We will explain the client’s injuries and the impact those injuries have had on their life. We’ll also identify all of the economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, that our client has incurred. Putting all of this information together will give us the best chance to resolve the claim for the maximum amount of money possible.
If not resolved, we will advise the client to move to litigation if there is not a fair settlement offer presented. Litigation is when a law suit is filed. Most cases that go to litigation settle. And those cases that settle in litigation typically settle for much more money than is offered before the suit is filed. If the insurance company does not raise the settlement offer enough, we may advise the client to go to a jury trial.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
It is important to keep in mind that a case can settle at any time. But just because it can settle at any time does not mean that it will settle for enough money to make it worthwhile.
The amount of time it takes to settle your case will depend on a number of factors. The main factor is your expectations. We oftentimes encourage our clients to hold out for the policy limits of the other side’s insurance coverage. In other words, if it is appropriate, we’ll advise the client to get every available penny.
Another factor is how much insurance coverage is available. If all of the assets and insurance coverage for a crash is $100,000 and the case is worth $150,000, we unfortunately will only be able to recover $100,000. And if that’s the case, we will push for an early settlement.
A third factor is whether the wrongdoer has any defenses available to them. The wrongdoer may contend, for example, that the injured party was contributorily negligent in the crash. If the wrongdoer is correct and contributory negligence applies, the injured party may be prevented from recovering anything for their injuries. When that happens, the case will be more difficult to settle and it may take a longer time for the case to resolve.
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Consult a Reputable Personal Injury Law Firm in Richmond for Legal Support Today
Call MartinWren, P.C., now to set up a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your rights after a devastating accident. Our legal team is ready to help you. We will work tirelessly to ensure deadlines are met, legal paperwork is filed promptly and correctly, and that you are informed of our progress throughout the process.
Our Richmond personal injury attorneys have served hundreds of clients. Reach out to us now to see what we can do to serve you.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form