Virginia Beach Car Accident Attorneys Seek Damages from Negligent Motorists
Litigators pursue compensation for auto accident victims
According to a report from the Virginia Highway Safety Office in 2020, an average of 144 people were injured in auto accidents every day in our state. If you or a family member was a car crash victim, Ernest Law Group, PLC has the combination of knowledge, skill and caring you need in your corner. Our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers take on careless motorists and their insurance companies to help clients collect the payment they need to get back on their feet.
Typical car accidents and causes
Common types of car accidents on Virginia roads include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Side impact crashes
- Hit and run accidents
Collisions can be caused by a variety of problems, such as:
- Icy or other slippery conditions
- Low visibility
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
If you are involved in any car accident and you are able to, call the police, exchange IDs and insurance information with the other drivers, and seek medical attention. Then, you should contact an experienced auto accident attorney who can outline your legal options.
Common injuries from car accidents
Car accidents can result in a number of different types of injuries, including:
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Arm and/or leg paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Brain and head trauma
- Concussions
- Burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Miscarriages
- Death
If you’re hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can collect compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damages and other types of harm. As your personal injury attorneys, we will seek compensation for all your compensable damages.
Determining fault in a Virginia Beach auto accident
Under Virginia’s contributory negligence doctrine, if a jury finds you bear even 1 percent of fault for the accident, you won’t be able to recover any damages. Therefore, you need a good personal injury attorney to prove the defendant is liable. To prove your case, we gather such evidence as:
- Police reports and camera footage
- Witness statements
- Videos
- Toxicology reports, if the accident involved driving under the influence
- Reports of experts we hire
We use these forms of evidence and others to build as strong a case for liability as possible.
How does a car accident settlement work?
Compensation you receive for an auto accident typically comes from the auto insurance company of the driver at fault, unless that driver has no or inadequate insurance or is unknown (in which case it will likely come from your own uninsured or underinsured motorist insurer). The insurance company might make an offer before you sue, but it might be a lowball figure provided in an attempt to avoid a lawsuit. Often, victims need to sue before getting a reasonable offer. As your attorneys, we seek to maximize your chance of a fair settlement by demonstrating to the defendant’s insurer how strong your case is.
What is the trial process for car accident cases?
After we file suit on your behalf and the defendant’s attorney answers your complaint, the attorneys will have an opportunity to demand information and documents relevant to the suit. Each side’s attorney will also have an opportunity to take depositions of the other party and witnesses, in which the party or witness must answer questions under oath. As this process goes on, the settlement offer might increase, as the insurance company realizes they might lose. If we can’t settle, however, we will proceed to trial and make a persuasive argument that you are entitled to the damages you’ve requested.
Contact an accomplished Virginia car accident lawyer for a consultation
Ernest Law Group, PLC handles auto accident claims for injured plaintiffs throughout the Hampton Roads area. Please call 757-289-2499 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Virginia Beach office.
Our Attorneys Can Help
If you are injured in an accident that is not your fault, your best bet is to contact a personal injury attorney to help you deal with the legal issues while you can focus on healing and recovery.