Personal Injury Attorney Virginia Beach
If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in an accident, the path forward toward recovery can be especially rocky without the compensation to which you are entitled. Having an experienced personal injury attorney in Virginia Beach in your corner, however, can help significantly.
The Elements of Your Virginia Personal Injury Claim
In order for you to bring a successful personal injury claim in the State of Virginia, you must be able to prove that all the following apply:
- The other person or entity owed you a duty of care, to begin with. For example, when you enter a store, the owner or manager owes you a duty of care that extends to maintaining the premises in a reasonably safe condition. Another common example is the duty of care we owe one another when we get behind the wheel and take to the road.
- The other person or entity breached the duty of care owed to you. If the manager of the store mentioned above, for example, failed to resolve a tripping hazard that other reasonable property owners in similar situations would have taken care of, it likely amounts to a breach of the duty owed.
- The other person or entity’s breach of duty was the direct cause of the accident that left you injured. Continuing with the example above, if the tripping hazard mentioned caused you to slip and fall, the manager’s breach of duty is the direct cause of your slip and fall accident.
- You suffered legal damages as a result, which means that you suffered damages (or losses) that are addressed by personal injury law.
Your Damages
The legal damages you suffer as a result of another party’s negligence can be classified in the following categories:
- Property damage (such as to your vehicle in an auto accident)
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
The Insurance Company
You will file your personal injury claim with the insurance company that provides the at-fault party with personal injury liability coverage, but it’s important to recognize that the insurance company is profit-based, which means that it is focused on settling your claim for as little as possible. Some of the tried-and-true techniques the insurance company may try on you include:
- Making an early but inadequate settlement offer
- Prolonging and/or complicating the claims process artificially
- Casting doubt on the extent of your claimed damages
- Attempting to shift blame away from its policyholder and towards you
Personal injury claims are complicated in any circumstances, but if the involved insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, yours can be more so. Working closely with a dedicated personal injury attorney is the best path forward.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Virginia Beach Can Help
The savvy personal injury attorneys at Hampton Injury Law in Virginia Beach take great pride in their impressive track record of guiding cases like yours toward advantageous resolutions that address our clients’ full array of physical, financial, and emotional damages. We’re here to help, so please don’t wait to contact us today.
