Isle of Wight County Car Accident Lawyers
Virginia car accidents can have devastating implications for victims, who incur enormous costs and suffer serious consequences from being injured. Though state law does provide you with options to recover compensation for these losses, you may not know where to start with enforcing your rights. Filing an insurance claim can be complicated, and your case will become even more complex if you need to resort to litigation to obtain monetary damages.
Under such circumstances, many victims in your position rely upon Isle of Wight County car accident lawyers for legal assistance. If you were hurt and want to know more about your remedies, please contact Hampton Injury Law to set up a case evaluation. You might also find it helpful to check out an overview of the basics.
Liability in Virginia Motor Vehicle Crash Claims
Auto accidents are often the result of driver negligence, which has a specific meaning in the practice of law. The definition encompasses careless acts, but there are certain elements you must prove to recover compensation:
- You need to show that the other motorist had a duty to keep others on the road safe;
- You must prove that this person breached the duty of care;
- You have to establish a causal link between the breach of duty and the accident in which you were hurt; and,
- You need to demonstrate that you sustained losses from being injured.
Compensation and the Claims Process
If you are successful in proving the four elements listed above, you may be able to recover monetary damages for your losses. Your first step would be filing a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company, requesting reimbursement for your medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. However, you may also have a claim for additional damages that are more subjective and personal in nature. Depending on your circumstances, you can seek compensation for:
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring and disfigurement;
- Emotional anguish; and,
- Losses based upon how your injuries affect your personal relationships.
Insurance companies are notoriously tricky when it comes to paying out claims for injured victims, so you may run into resistance in getting sufficient monetary damages to cover your losses. When the insurer will not agree to a fair, reasonable amount, you may need to file a lawsuit in court.
Limitations on Your Claim Under Virginia Law
There may be some restrictions on your rights, even if you can prove the elements of a case based upon negligence. Virginia has a statute of limitations that requires you to file a lawsuit within two years after the crash. If you do not, you are forever barred from getting any compensation.
Trust Your Claim to an Isle of Wight County Car Accident Lawyer
If you would like additional information on your rights and remedies as the victim of a motor vehicle crash, please call Hampton Injury Law to schedule a case evaluation. A Virginia auto collision attorney can provide personalized details regarding your claim after reviewing your specific circumstances.
