According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VDMV), there were 827 fatalities due to traffic accidents in 2019. More than 65,000 people were injured as a result of these crashes. The other reasons for these accidents, according to the latest data, include drunk or distracted driving.
If you have been injured or your loved one was killed in a car accident in Virginia, you may be able to hold the at-fault driver accountable in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. A Virginia car accident lawyer can help. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 for a free case evaluation.
Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents
The severity of a person’s injuries in a car accident can vary. Some injuries are life-threatening and require immediate emergency medical attention. Other injuries may take days or even weeks to present with symptoms. Some typical injuries suffered in a car accident may include but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injury (concussion)
- Spinal injury (paralysis)
- Broken bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and contusions
- Soft tissue injuries (whiplash)
- Internal organ damage
Even if you believe your injuries were not serious following a car accident, you should seek medical attention. A proper diagnosis early on can help prevent more serious health consequences in the future. A doctor can document your injuries from the accident, and this documentation will serve as important evidence if you choose to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Establishing Fault
Virginia is considered a fault car accident state. That means the state follows a traditional fault-based system when it comes to a driver’s financial obligation for damages and losses as a result of a car accident. This means that the driver identified at-fault for the car accident is also accountable for any harm you or your loved endured as a result. These damages can fall under two types: economic and noneconomic.
Economic damages may include:
- Current and future medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, medical assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, prescription medications, etc.)
- Lost wages (due to time missed from work as a result of injuries from the accident)
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Noneconomic damages are less tangible and more challenging to put a dollar value on, but may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium (if you lost a loved one in the accident)
You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Virginia. Compensation in these cases could cover the decedent’s previous medical, funeral, and burial costs as well as loss of their income and your pain and suffering due to the loss of companionship.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 223-5115
Contributory Negligence in Virginia
The state of Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule. This means that if you are found to hold any responsibility in the car accident that occurred you cannot receive a financial award for damages from the other driver.
It may be beneficial to consult with a Virginia car accident lawyer regarding the rules and laws that apply to your unique case. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for more information.
What a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
After a car accident that was not your fault you may be left feeling hurt and overwhelmed. A Virginia car accident lawyer can help by handling all aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
Your attorney can:
- Investigate the details of your accident
- Gather all evidence (including medical records, witness testimony, the police report, any photos or surveillance video from the scene that support your claim)
- Identify the at-fault party or parties
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- File all relevant paperwork in a timely manner
- Take your case to trial, if necessary
A Virginia car accident lawyer can determine a value for all of your injuries and losses and work to help ensure you do not bear the financial burden for an accident you did not cause.
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Do Not Let Time Run Out
Each state follows its own statute of limitations or time limit when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit. According to the Code of Virginia State § 8.01-243, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is within two years from the date of the accident.
If the accident caused the death of your loved one, and you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf, you have two years from the time of the decedent’s passing to file, according to the Code of Virginia State § 8.01-244.
If you do not file your personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit within the statute of limitations, then you risk losing your right to fight for compensation. Although there can be exceptions to the statute of limitations, you should consider filing your lawsuit or insurance claim as soon as you can.
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Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you have suffered injuries or a family member died as a result of a car accident that was not your fault, you should not have to carry the emotional and financial burden on your own. A Virginia car accident lawyer can file a claim, build a case, and fight for compensation on your behalf.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 to speak to a member of our team. The call is free, and you pay no fees upfront or anything out of pocket unless we obtain a fair settlement for you.
Call or text (800) 223-5115 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form