At the end of 2018, attorney Matthew Bass took an unusual route to securing positive results in a Fairfax car accident injury case that was smaller than we often take on, but very important to our client. While most of our cases at Burnett & Williams involve serious injuries where litigation, if necessary, is most appropriate in Circuit Court, sometimes General District Court – with its jurisdictional limit of $25,000 – is the more appropriate court in which to try a case.
In this Fairfax case, Matt represented a young woman who hurt her back in a minor impact motor vehicle accident. She required treatment in physical therapy for several months before her back pain resolved. In negotiations, the insurance company offered less than the cost of her medical treatment, so Matt advised his client that the case should be tried in General District Court in front of a judge. At trial, the judge issued a verdict that was more than double what the insurance company offered before trial, plus interest accruing from the date of the accident. Unhappy with the result, the insurance company initially threatened to appeal the verdict to Circuit Court, but ultimately decided to pay the amount of the General District Court verdict, including interest. The total amount of the verdict allowed Matt’s client to pay off her medical bills and have enough money left over for a down payment on a new car.
Nationally 98% of all personal injury cases settle. While Burnett & Williams has a similar average, some cases do not settle. Moreover, every successful Personal Injury lawyer will agree that the best way to get a case settled is to be ready, willing, and able to take it to trial. While most of our cases have 6 and 7 figure values, we prepare each and every case with careful attention to every detail in anticipation of possible litigation, putting our clients in a position to get the best outcome in their case, whether in a negotiated settlement or a court verdict. From the largest jury verdict in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2017 to the trenches of General District Court, our skilled attorneys are always prepared do whatever is necessary to achieve the best possible result for each and every one of their clients. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Burnett & Williams.