Isle of Wight County Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen, but you are in a difficult position if you were injured in an incident that was someone else’s fault. Car accidents, slip and falls, dog bites and other circumstances can lead to severe physical, financial, and emotional losses. Virginia law provides you with rights as an accident victim, but filing a claim can be complicated.

If you or a loved one was hurt in any type of accident, please contact Hampton Injury Law to schedule a case evaluation with an Isle of Wight County injury lawyer. You may also find it helpful to check out an overview of your legal options.

How Personal Injury Claims Work in Virginia

Regardless of the specific causes of an injury-causing accident, they generally involve careless or reckless acts by someone else. In legal terms, the concept of negligence applies. There are four essential elements required to recover compensation for your losses.

• You must show that the responsible party had a legal duty to act with reasonable care;
• You have to prove that the person or entity breached this duty through careless acts;
• You must establish a causal link between the breach and your injury-causing accident; and,
• You must show that you suffered losses because of your injuries.

In most cases, you will initially file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company. If you cannot reach an agreement for settlement, you will need to file a lawsuit in court to seek monetary damages.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims

Negligence can cause any accident, but some happen pretty frequently. Examples include:

• Motor vehicle crashes;
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents;
• Slip and falls, which usually result from dangerous conditions on property;
• Dog bite and animal attacks;
• Injuries from dangerous, defective products;
• Medical malpractice; and,
• Nursing home neglect and abuse.

Personal injury claims may even involve a situation where the victim dies because of someone else’s negligence. These cases are similar in that negligence is a factor, but the claim is one for wrongful death.

You May be Entitled to Monetary Damages for Your Losses

There are two forms of compensation available in a personal injury case based upon negligence. Economic damages are items like medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs like medication. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, scarring, emotional distress, and other subjective losses. Note, however, that there may be limitations on your claim:

• Virginia has a statute of limitations so you can only recover monetary damages if you file a lawsuit in court within two years after your accident; and,
• There is a rule called “contributory negligence” that focuses on your conduct. If you were at fault – even just partially – you are barred from recovering any compensation.

Contact an Isle of Wight County Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Claim

As you can see, accident claims can be quite complicated. Though you have rights as an injured victim, multiple laws in Virginia can affect your claim. Please call Hampton Injury Law to schedule a consultation with an Isle of Wight County injury attorney for more information.