.jpg)
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer After an Accident Injury
Accidents can cause life-changing injuries, leaving you with long-term rehabilitation, stress, and the possibility of missing out on work income or life events. Knowing if and when to hire a lawyer can make a significant difference in your recovery and compensation. Even if you weren’t seriously injured, there can be benefits to working with an experienced Haymarket personal injury lawyer after an accident. We discuss the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer, when to contact one after an accident, and what you can expect from their services.
The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer after a Haymarket accident can provide numerous advantages:
- Relevant experience. Personal injury lawyers bring deep experience with cases for accident victims, no matter how minor or major their injuries. They understand the complexities of Virginia law and are well-versed in navigating the legal system. Having an experienced advocate on your side increases your chances for a favorable outcome.
- Negotiation skills. After an accident, insurance company adjusters often try to minimize payouts to accident victims by pressuring you to quickly accept a settlement amount when you could be entitled to much more under Virginia law. A lawyer will handle negotiations with insurance, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
- Stress reduction. After an accident, you may be emotionally traumatized as well as physically hurt. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident is stressful enough without worrying about legal matters. Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery while they handle the necessary paperwork, negotiations, and legal proceedings to fight for your rights.
- Access to resources. Personal injury lawyers can access resources that can strengthen your case, such as medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals who can provide critical evidence and testimony.
When to Contact a Lawyer After Being the Victim of a Car Accident
If you have minor injuries, you may think you can handle negotiations with insurance on your own, or you may be unsure if you can afford to hire a lawyer. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they represent you for the duration of your case on a delayed basis and only get paid if and when you win your case. Their pay comes out of the judgment you receive.
When you combine that information with the fact that your chances of recovering all the financial compensation you deserve are higher with a lawyer, it’s likely in your best interests to find and retain an experienced personal injury attorney.
Particularly, if you or any passengers who were with you suffered serious injuries in the accident, you should not hesitate to contact a lawyer immediately. Serious injuries often involve significant medical expenses, long-term care, and rehabilitation costs. A lawyer will fight to ensure you receive adequate compensation to cover these expenses.
Determining Fault in Virginia Accidents
Virginia is one of a few states with a contributory negligence law, meaning that in order to be found at fault for an accident, the perpetrator must be 100% at fault – nobody else can share even 1% of the blame for the crash, or else you cannot file a personal injury lawsuit.
If there is disputed liability in your case, you need a lawyer on your side who can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case to establish negligence.
Disputes can also come from insurance companies, which may try to deny your claim. Your lawyer will take legal action if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.
Complex Cases
Some car accident cases involve multiple parties, such as multi-vehicle collisions or accidents involving commercial vehicles. These cases can be particularly complex. Having a lawyer who can navigate all of the legal intricacies while ensuring all liable parties are held accountable is worth it.
Maximizing Compensation
Without legal representation, you might not receive all of the compensation you are entitled to. When you are injured in an accident, you have the right under Virginia law to seek compensation for damages incurred as a result. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, loss of spousal privileges, modifications to your home, projected costs of future medical treatments, and pain and suffering.
Results to Expect with an Attorney Handling Your Personal Injury Case
Results differ in every case, and no compensation is guaranteed. But an experienced personal injury lawyer should be able to show you examples of different case results they have handled, and compensation that victims have been awarded in past cases.
Finally, though many cases settle outside of court before ever proceeding to trial, if necessary, your lawyer will be prepared to represent you in court proceedings, presenting your case to the judge and jury and fighting for the compensation you are entitled to under Virginia law.