Catastrophic injuries can permanently alter the course of your life. 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 often do everything they can to avoid financial responsibility.
Sometimes, enlisting the services of a highly skilled Richmond personal injury lawyer from MartinWren P.C. is the best way to recover the compensation that is rightfully yours. Our team will carefully examine the evidence in your case to reveal the identities of all those who share liability. 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.
Types of Accidents that Warrant Civil Action
Working with a personal injury lawyer in Richmond from MartinWren P.C. can help you figure out what legal options are available to you when someone else’s negligence causes 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 accidents your Richmond personal injury attorney at our firm deals with include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Construction accidents
- Work-related injuries
- Premises liabilities
- Defective product claims
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuits
- Dog bites and animal attacks
Many of our clients report traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, organ failure, and post-traumatic stress disorder after these accidents. While some injuries may be minor, the fallout could continue to have an impact on your life for months or years to come. 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 compensation demanded in your personal injury lawsuit.
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. When you want to make the liable party pay and recover the compensation you need to get through these tough times, hiring a legal advocate may be in your best interests.
For a free legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer serving Richmond, call 434-817-3100
What to Expect from Your Personal Injury Settlement
When you bring your personal injury lawsuit to trial, you have the right to be made whole. You should be reimbursed for every loss related to your injuries and the accident that caused them. Examples of economic and non-economic damages that could be awarded in Richmond personal injury claims include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disfigurement and permanent disability
- Loss of income, wages, and tips
- Loss of benefits provided by your employer
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Unexpected childcare expenses
- Embarrassing scars
- Current and future medical bills
- Household maintenance costs
- Property damages
You may also be curious whether punitive damages are possible in your personal injury claim. It depends on the specific circumstances of your case, but according to Virginia Law §8.01-38.1, punitive damages can be awarded in personal injury lawsuits as long as the defendant’s conduct is found to be abhorrent, reprehensible, or intentional. While punitive damages will not apply to every personal injury case, when they do, it can significantly increase the total value of your claim.
Richmond Personal Injury FAQ
What does Pure Contributory Negligence Mean?
Virginia follows pure contributory negligence laws according to Virginia Law §8.01-58. 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 one percent 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 a personal injury 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.
How Long do I Have to File My Claim?
According to Virginia Law §8.01-243, you typically have two years from the day your accident occurred to file your lawsuit, but there are certain claims that have much shorter limitation periods. However, 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.
The statute of limitations may also temporarily pause if you do not receive an official diagnosis of injuries related to the accident until days or weeks after the event. In addition to statutes of limitations, your claim may be subject to notice periods that require you to take action shortly after your injury occurs.
What Is a Contingency Agreement?
Contingency agreements make it possible for nearly anyone to afford the costs of hiring a Richmond personal injury lawyer to take on their case. With criminal defense lawyers and other practice areas, legal representatives require retainer fees or have their clients pay them an hourly rate. Working with a personal injury law firm on contingency in line with the Virginia Model Jury Instructions 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 if we do not recover compensation for your damages.
Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 434-817-3100
Consult a Reputable Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Support Today
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 top-rated 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 secured contact form to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation today.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
