Newport News Personal Injury Attorney

You could suffer considerable losses due to being injured in an accident that was not your fault. Fortunately, Virginia law provides you with rights as a victim. It is possible to recover compensation through a personal injury claim, but you may encounter numerous challenges. Unless you have an experienced lawyer to advocate on your behalf, you could put your rights at risk. Please contact Hampton Injury Law PLC to set up a case evaluation with a Newport News personal injury attorney to learn about your legal options. You can also read on for some vital information about these claims. 

How Virginia Personal Injury Claims Work

A wide range of circumstances may contribute to accidents, but they share a common element — they are usually caused by negligence. When a person fails to exercise reasonable caution, he or she creates a risk of harm to others. If misconduct leads to a personal injury accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses.

Some of the most common types of negligence-based accident claims include:

Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes;

• Pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter collisions;
• Slip and fall accidents, and other injuries that result from dangerous conditions on property;
• Nursing home neglect;
• Medical malpractice; and,
• Many more.

Compensation in Personal Injury Cases

Monetary damages in an accident claim are intended to reimburse victims for their losses after being injured. The goal is to place the victim in the same relative position they’d be if the incident had never happened. There are two types of compensation under Virginia law:

• Economic Damages: These are the out-of-pocket, tangible losses resulting from your injuries. Medical costs lost wages, and any amounts you expend for treatment are economic damages.
• Non-Economic Damages: Other losses are not as tangible, but you most definitely experience hardship because of your injuries. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, emotional distress, and losses that impact your personal relationships.

Laws That May Affect Your Monetary Damages

Even when you have solid evidence to prove your right to compensation, there are some critical concepts that affect your claim. One is Virginia’s statute of limitations, which requires you to file a lawsuit in court within two years after the incident that caused your injuries. If you do not initiate litigation by the time the statute of limitations expires, you are barred from obtaining monetary damages.

Also, Virginia applies the rule of contributory negligence in personal injury claims. If your own actions were negligent and were a factor in the accident, you cannot recover any compensation. Virginia is one of just a handful of US states that uses this harsh rule, which is why legal representation is crucial.

Speak to a Newport News Personal Injury Attorney Regarding Your Case

This general information may help you understand some of the basic concepts in accident claims, but there are many other legal issues that will affect your case. For more information on your rights and remedies, please call Hampton Injury Law PLC right away to set up a case evaluation with a Newport News personal injury lawyer.