No one expects to be injured in an accident, so the chance you have a personal injury lawyer in VA lined up when you need one is slim. Suddenly you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and has suffered catastrophic injuries such as injuries to the brain, eye, upper or lower extremities, joints, spine, or other parts of the musculoskeletal system. Or maybe a loved one died as the result of an accident. Your life is in turmoil. All you want to do is focus on healing; instead, you are juggling phone calls from insurance companies. The liable parties are reaching out to you. Everyone seems motivated to close out claims as quickly as possible for as little as possible.

If you have been seriously injured due to no fault of your own, you need a personal injury lawyer. Every statement you make could affect your ability to secure fair compensation. Virginia is one of only four states to apply a legal doctrine called contributory negligence, which means that any negligence on the part of the claimant, no matter how slight, is a complete bar to recovery. Social niceties can be misconstrued to be small admissions of partial liability. Even the slightest fault attributable to the claimant will disqualify them from securing compensation.

In Virginia, you are entitled to compensation if you are harmed by the negligent conduct of another and were not partially at fault in causing the harm. Common instances that result in personal injury claims include:

• Motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, including car, motorcycle, and tractor trailer accidents.
• Manufacturing errors resulting in dangerous, defective products that cause injury or death.
• Unsafe conditions at a property, including obstacles, slippery conditions, and pets that attack.
• Medical malpractice, including misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, medication, and/or treatment errors.

A personal injury lawyer will review your case and work to identify factors that impact your ability to secure an award.

• Can you and your team establish that another party is liable for causing the accident? Was the accident and/or injury caused by willful and wanton conduct giving rise to a claim for punitive damages? 
• If they had not been at fault, would you have avoided injury?
• What is the degree of harm? Is there property damage? Will there be past and future medical expenses?
• Is there current and future loss of income? Will your injuries impact future earning potential? 
• Has the injury left you with lasting physical or emotional pain, including insomnia, fear, a depressed mood, and anxiety?

It’s important to secure representation as soon as possible, ideally before talking to insurance companies. Securing a personal injury attorney can ensure that you receive maximum compensation.

Consider These Tips When Seeking a Personal Injury Lawyer in VA

Virginia’s personal injury law is complex and extremely broad. You will want a lawyer experienced in Virginia who specializes in personal injury claims. With some planning, you can find a personal injury lawyer in VA to meet your needs.

1. Reach out to family and friends for referrals.
2. Research personal injury law firms on the internet. Review their track record, practice specialties, and locations. Check out to see if they have received awards and recognition. Also, read independent reviews.
3. Schedule consultations with the firms that are your top prospects. Most personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations.
4. Prepare for your consults. Gather up the details of the case for the complimentary case review. Create a list of questions that are important to you. Make sure to find out about their experience with similar cases. Find out if they have the resources for an independent investigation and qualified expert witnesses. Determine if they have the medical resources and knowledge that your case requires. Find out if they have local offices and if they can travel to you if you are unable to travel.
5. Make your selection based on your research and the rapport you establish. Don’t underestimate your own comfort level. Your personal injury lawyer should be easy for you to talk to.

Once you have secured a personal injury lawyer in VA, you will be able to turn over dealing with insurance companies and the liable parties and focus on recovering from the physical and emotional damage. 

Contact Us Today

Burnett and Williams is a Virginia personal injury law firm with offices in Leesburg, Midlothian, Winchester, Hopewell, Richmond, and Orange. Burnett & Williams is one of Virginia’s oldest and most recognized personal injury law firms. We are experts in personal injury cases and have a proven track record. Contacts us today for a free consultation.