Casey is a founding partner at River Run Law Group. Casey has tried numerous cases across the Commonwealth in both General District Court and Circuit Court. He has earned millions of dollars for his clients through trials, mediations, and settlements.
The aftermath of a car accident leaves most people feeling disoriented and shaken. Beyond the physical injuries, the emotional and financial toll is overwhelming. Medical bills pile up while you lose wages due to missed work. If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation through a car accident settlement.
Car accident lawsuits are complex, and navigating them alone is daunting. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, leaving you wondering how you’ll cover the mounting costs. The good news is an attorney knows how to get more money from a car accident settlement and the steps you can take to ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get the most out of your car accident settlement, from the initial steps after the accident to understanding the factors impacting your payout. Read on to learn about the invaluable role an attorney plays in advocating for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.
Top 5 Tips to Protect Your Legal Rights
- Seek medical attention. Getting a medical evaluation immediately after an accident establishes a clear connection between the accident and your injuries. It also demonstrates you’re taking your health seriously and strengthens your claim. Don’t skip appointments or treatments, as the insurance company will scrutinize any gaps in your medical care.
- Document everything. Memories fade, so gather evidence while it’s fresh. Take photos of the accident scene from multiple angles, capturing damage, skid marks, and traffic signals. Note the date, time, weather conditions, and any contributing factors. Get names and contact information of witnesses. Keep all medical bills, receipts for car repairs, and documentation of lost wages.
- Refrain from speaking to the insurance company. Insurance adjusters may ask leading questions or try to downplay your injuries to minimize payouts. Be polite but firm. Refer them to your attorney for any questions about the accident.
- Hire an attorney. While you can negotiate a settlement, an experienced attorney significantly increases your likelihood of a successful outcome. They understand complex personal injury law and have the experience to build a strong case that maximizes your recovery.
- Don’t settle for the first offer. Insurance companies typically make lowball initial offers, hoping you’ll accept. Don’t be pressured. Your attorney will assess the full scope of your damages and negotiate a fair settlement that reflects your pain, suffering, lost wages, and future medical needs.
How a Richmond Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
An attorney brings a wealth of expertise to the table, especially knowledge of how to maximize your settlement from a car accident. Other ways personal injury attorneys in Richmond can help you include the following:
- Case evaluation. Your attorney analyzes the details of your accident, assesses the severity of your injuries, and determines the potential value of your claim.
- Investigation. Your attorney gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and works with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case that proves the other party’s fault.
- Negotiation. Attorneys are skilled negotiators and leverage the evidence compiled to pressure the insurance company for a fair settlement.
- Trial preparation. While most cases settle out of court, some go to trial. Your attorney ensures you’re prepared for all possibilities.
Factors Impacting Your Settlement
Every case is different. However, when exploring how to get more money from a car accident settlement, it’s vital to understand the common factors impacting payouts. The most common factors influencing the amount you may receive include the following:
- Severity of injuries. More serious injuries with long-term consequences usually lead to higher settlements.
- Medical bills and future medical needs. The cost of current and projected medical care is a significant factor.
- Lost wages. If you miss work due to the accident or lost wages, your attorney factors these into the settlement.
- Proving fault. If you’re found even partially at fault in Virginia you can recover nothing. Proving the other party was totally at fault is crucial.
- Pain and suffering. The physical and emotional distress caused by the accident strengthens your claim.
Your Richmond car accident lawyer carefully reviews all the details surrounding your case, ensuring these factors do not negatively impact your payout.
Remember, the purpose of a car accident settlement is to provide compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses you’ve incurred. By following these tips and seeking legal counsel, you can ensure you receive a fair settlement that helps you move forward after such a challenging experience.
What Can I Recover?
Virginia law allows you to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages from your car accident. Economic damages are those with clear financial ties, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning potential, and car repairs or replacement.
Non-economic damages are less tangible but no less real. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience caused by your injuries, and any disfigurement or scarring that impacts your daily life. An attorney documents the severity of your pain and suffering through medical records and psychological evaluations, ensuring you recover the value of these losses in your settlement.
Statute of Limitations
Act swiftly after a car accident in Virginia. The statute of limitations, or the deadline for filing a lawsuit, is two years from the date of the accident. This may seem like a long time, but it goes by quick when you are at the whims of the insurance company. Missing this deadline could bar you from recovering compensation.
While this may seem like a generous timeframe, gathering evidence, building a strong case, and negotiating a fair settlement can be a lengthy process. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible ensures you don’t miss crucial deadlines and allows them ample time to work towards the best possible outcome for your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Richmond Personal Injury Attorney
At River Run Law, we understand that suffering a serious injury can devastate your life. However, getting the comprehensive medical care you need and the resources to keep you going is difficult without an attorney. You deserve justice if someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your actions.
Our car accident attorneys aggressively pursue justice and fair financial compensation for the wrongfully injured. We protect your legal rights while holding the right party responsible for their actions. You deserve a passionate advocate on your side.
Our legal team has recovered millions for clients when they need it most. We offer no-cost, no-obligation consultation for injured victims. You never owe any legal fees unless we secure a judgment or settlement on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how River Run Law can help you.
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