Virginia Car Accident Lawyers
Virginia Car Accident Lawyers: Injury After a Car Crash
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. A screech of wheels, a crunch of metal – and your world is turned upside-down. You ask yourself: how could this have happened?
Car accidents can happen to anyone. We see the statistics and hear about them in the news, but no one expects a serious car accident to happen to them.
Car Accident Statistics
Minor accidents can be more severe than they first appear. Serious accidents can be medically and financially devastating.
According to the 2020 report from the Virginia Department of Motorized Vehicles (DMV):
- A crash occurred every five minutes
- More than two lives were lost per day
- At least 144 people were injured per day
- One out of every 31.7 licensed drivers was involved in a motor vehicle collision
While even the smallest run-ins are a hassle, nothing can compare with the devastation of a severe accident. Serious injuries require serious health care. Serious accidents demand serious legal help – that’s Rutter Mills.
What do you do if you’re in a car accident?
After a collision, you may be scared and disoriented, but what you do next can have a big impact on your future.
- Pull over to the side of the road if possible and as soon as you can. Once you’ve assessed that you and your passengers are alright, it’s important to secure your safety from further danger or damage. If your car is driveable, pull over to the side or shoulder as soon as possible. Use extreme caution if you exit your vehicle.
- Call the police. After a serious car accident, it is important to make sure the scene is safe for you to assess the damage and talk
to other drivers and witnesses. Get an official report. Official documentation of your accident will protect you from potential insurance claims or lawsuits. You can get a copy of a crash report from Virginia DMV. - Get the other driver’s insurance information. Even in a minor fender bender, it’s a good precaution to take to get the insurance information of the person you’ve collided with. When you move forward with a claim, you’ll need to know how to get in touch with them. Pro tip: Ask to take a picture of their card rather than writing it down. It will save you time, and you’ll avoid accidental errors!
- Get footage. Take photos or videos of the scene or damage. Visual footage provides indisputable facts about what happened to you.
- See your doctor. Your health is the top priority and accidents can cause residual medical issues which may not surface for months. Let your doctor diagnose any concerns so that your health is protected.
- Talk to a lawyer. Rutter Mills has specialized teams of Virginia car accident lawyers who can advise you on the best course of action. You can focus on recuperating, our specialized team of car accident lawyers will deal with the insurance company for you.
- Avoid posting about your accident or injury on social media. Be wary of posting details about your accident or injuries on social media. Not only can facts get distorted or embellished, but judges can also grant insurance companies access to your accounts. Information can be used against you to deny you coverage. We are trying to keep you covered. Talk to your lawyer instead to establish all the facts.
If you’re unlucky and a car accident happens to you, an insurance company or a lawsuit are the last things you want to deal with.
Would you agree it’s easier to have someone help you handle the legal details of your case?
Our Rutter Mills offices offer free consultations to car accident victims and charge NO upfront fees. Any one of our lawyers can speak with you and guide you through the proper steps to take that will give you the best outcome to rebuild yourself stronger.
5 Reasons Why You Need a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
Even the most straightforward accidents will benefit from a legal advocate. When you’ve had a car accident, insurance companies act fast to settle your claim for as little as possible. In fact, most car accident cases are resolved with a settlement rather than going to trial. But not everyone understands that they are entitled to more financial protection than their insurance companies are letting on.
If it’s your first injury settlement negotiation with an insurance company, you may not have the confidence or experience to know what your case is worth. To them, you are just a number. To Rutter Mills, you are a protected priority.
So when should you consult a car accident lawyer?
✓ Are you drowning in medical bills?
✓ Have you been injured and could it lead to future disability?
✓ Were you hit by a driver who had little or no insurance and refused responsibility for the accident?
✓ Do you feel low-balled by the insurance company’s settlement offer? Or are they requesting your personal medical records?
✓ Perhaps you simply have questions about what happened in the moments before the crash?
If you answered yes to any of these, getting some legal advice is in your best interest.
These disputes can be solved swiftly and easily – particularly if the insurance company knows you have a legal shark in your corner. Our lawyers go toe to toe with big insurance companies using a skilled team of in-house investigators, many of whom are prior law enforcement, and medical experts, all led by experienced trial attorneys.
We have settled thousands of cases, so we know when insurers are lowballing. We negotiate from a position of strength and we will not back down. You can count on our 60-year reputation as accomplished attorneys, well-known for winning complex, high-profile injury cases like yours.
As soon as you walk into the courtroom, you will have the attention and respect of the judge, jury, and insurance company. When you walk in with a lawyer from Rutter Mills, they know you mean business.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
When you’ve been injured, you need to focus on your well-being so you can get back to your family, career, friends, and hobbies. So why not have a skilled lawyer handle insurance companies while you handle healing? Getting you the payments you need to put the pieces of your life back together is our top goal. Our Virginia car accident attorneys have extensive experience helping victims of car accidents throughout the state, and we won’t back down until our clients get what they are owed.
We’ve seen our clients suffer various mental and physical repercussions, whether immediately following an accident or further down the road.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Amputations
- Back injuries
- Bone fractures
- Bruises
- Burns
- Chronic pain
- Internal Bleeding
- Neck Injuries
- Organ perforations
- Knee injuries
- Leg injuries
- Coma
- Concussions
- Dental damage
- Eye injuries
- Herniated disc
- Hip injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue tears
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Serious injuries require serious health care; serious accidents require serious legal help. When you’ve sustained an injury, you’ll need to focus on recovery – so why not have someone handle insurance companies while you handle healing? Even if you have purchased optional medical coverage as part of your car insurance policy, you may find it’s not enough to afford the best treatment and care you’re entitled to. In the wake of a car crash, your health is your – and our – top concern.
Our car accident lawyers are skilled, experienced, and tenacious – we don’t back down in the face of even the most aggressive pushback from insurance companies and our record proves it. For over 60 years, thousands of clients have received the compensation they need and deserve to get their lives back on track thanks to the Virginia car accident lawyers at Rutter Mills.
9 Questions Your Car Accident Lawyer Should Ask You If You’ve Had An Accident
- When and where did the car accident occur?
- How did the accident happen?
- Was speeding involved in the accident?
- Who had the right of way?
- Do you have contact information from the other driver?
- Did the police file a report at the scene?
- Were there any witnesses or photographs taken?
- What specific injuries did you suffer?
- Where were you treated for your injuries?
If you don’t have all the answers, that’s okay. Our skilled team of investigators knows how to fill in the blanks and uncover hidden details about the accident when needed.
Get Covered! How Compensation Works in Car Accident Claims
Getting into a crash can be costly to you, but you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence. Hiring a lawyer for your case means recruiting a valuable ally who guides you through the legal process. We help you understand how to handle a car accident and create the necessary space for you to recover from it.
We Add Up Your Losses. Our lawyers have the know-how to assess the damage done to you – not just the damage to your car. We can quantify the damage and distress caused by an accident based on evidence, like your bills and diagnoses.
You Stay Up-To-Date. We will walk you through the process, keeping you up-to-date every step of the way.
Your priority is healing, not going to battle a big insurance company. Let a devoted team of car accident specialists go to battle for you.
Damages You Can Recover from a Car Crash in Virginia
A robust Rutter Mills legal strategy is devoted to Virginia citizens who are victims of a car accident.
If you’ve found yourself flooded with health costs, we’ll help recover money for:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Hospital bills, surgeries, medications, diagnostic tests, and rehabilitation
If you’ve struggled with employment because of your injury, we’ll help you recoup:
- Lost wages, past and present
- Money if you’ve lost the capacity to earn wages in the future
If you’re a victim of emotional duress, pain, and suffering, we’ll help get you funds for services you’re entitled to.
If you’ve had to modify your home due to disability resulting from your accident, we’ll work to get you the funds needed to rebuild your future.
If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, we endeavor to recover the support for the grief, sorrow, and solace of surviving family members, as well as, funeral and burial expenses.
At Rutter Mills, we are here to help. You and your family can embark on the road to recovery when you partner with us. We talk directly to medical providers and their billing departments so you don’t have to.
When do you decide that you’ve endured enough and that it’s time to let a professional help shoulder your burden?
Call for a Free Consultation 757-622-5000
How Long You Have To File Your Car Accident Claim In Virginia
In Virginia, you have a 2-year deadline to file your claim, also known as a statute of limitations.
This two-year statute means you have some time to get your affairs in order before you make a decision on a settlement; however, you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can. The sooner you act, the easier it will be for your lawyer to collect evidence and strengthen your claim.
Note: There is also a chance that your deadline could be much shorter than the normal two-year statute. This is especially true if a state, city, or governmental agency is involved. Talk to a Rutter Mills lawyer as soon as you can to preserve your shot at the fair settlement you’re entitled to.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Today
Our car accident lawyers are skilled, experienced, and tenacious – we don’t back down in the face of even the most aggressive pushback from insurance companies. And our record proves it.
For more than 60 years, our clients have attributed much of their healing to our caring, personalized thorough attention to their needs and concerns.
Call us at 757 622 5000 or contact us online for your free consultation to see how Rutter Mills can work for you and with you. When you walk into a courtroom with a Rutter Mills lawyer, you’ll have the attention and respect of the judge, jury, and insurance company. When you walk in with a Rutter Mills lawyer, they know you mean business.
Virginia Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
A Rutter Mills team member is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about a recent car accident. We never charge for initial consultations and offer legal representation at no upfront cost to you. We don’t charge a fee for our services unless we win!
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?
Get immediate medical attention following an accident. When in the ER, do not speak with anyone but trusted family and friends. Do not speak with the other driver or their insurance company. As soon as you are able, call Rutter Mills.
Limit your use of social media after an accident. Let our investigators get information from the accident scene and witnesses. As you rest and recover, avoid posting information about the accident or injuries online.
Insurance companies are looking for any way to discredit your statements. Social media is increasingly a source of legal evidence in trials. Judges can authorize insurance companies to look up the information you and others post about your activities or injuries. It can weaken or derail your case.
Can You Sue for a Fender Bender?
Yes, you could be able to sue for a fender bender or any other “minor” crash. That’s because accidents that seem small may become severe. Car repairs are expensive, and medical bills are even more so. If the other driver was at fault for your accident, they could be liable to pay for your damages, small and large.
If you’re unsure you have a valid accident claim, you can always talk to a Rutter Mills team member. We’ll listen to your story, assess your claim, and guide you through the legal process and what we can do for you.
The Insurance Company Called Me While I Was in the Hospital and Made Me an Offer. What Should I Do?
Do not speak to the insurance company until you have discussed your case with a lawyer. Why? Because an offer made by the insurance company is unlikely to be in your best interest. Do not sign a release and accept any money offer — you’ll have no legal recourse if you regret it later.
Virginia law gives you two years to file a lawsuit, so you have some time to act. We’ll work with you to make sure your medical bills and lost wages don’t become a burden on you.
See also: Should You Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident?
How does the Legal Process Work After a Car Accident?
A car accident where one party is at fault often involves two different cases — criminal and civil. The criminal case will be decided in traffic court, and a judge will assign a penalty – such as fines, points, and possible jail time.
Don’t be concerned if the other driver doesn’t get a ticket. The insurance companies for the cars involved in the accident will negotiate the claim, not law enforcement. This does not affect the civil personal injury case.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Virginia?
Understandably, you might be worried about how you’ll afford to hire a lawyer.
Rest assured, our lawyers work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if you get a settlement or trial. Remember, just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Our payment comes out of a portion of your settlement. Your lawyer will be totally invested in getting you the best results possible. Even better, you don’t have to stress about how to pay for them.
To learn more about how contingency costs work, get a free consultation with a member of our Rutter Mills firm. We will discuss how money is paid out after a case is settled.
How Pain and Suffering Is Calculated for a Car Accident Claim
It’s easy to determine your “economic” damages, which are the apparent financial losses you suffered from your accident. It’s harder to determine how much you’re owed for your “non-economic” damages, which are non-physical, quality-of-life costs you’ve endured. How do you put a dollar amount on the pain you’ve suffered?
Without a lawyer’s knowledge, it’s impossible to say how much you could get in your settlement, let alone how much you could get for your pain and suffering.
Our Virginia car accident lawyers can help. At your initial consultation, our Rutter Mills team looks at your situation and estimates how much compensation you may expect.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney in Virginia Today
Rutter Mills leads a legacy of lawyers dedicated to restoring well-supported balance to the lives of accident and personal injury victims across Virginia.
Last year, Virginia Lawyers Weekly reported Rutter Mills had twice as many Top 10 Verdicts as any other state firm. For more than 60 years, our clients have attributed much of their healing to our caring, personalized, and thorough attention to their needs and concerns.
Rutter Mills is proud to serve the following Virginia cities and surrounding areas:
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Chesapeake VA
- Newport News, VA
- Hampton VA
- Portsmouth VA
- Suffolk VA
- Williamsburg, VA
- York County, VA
- Eastern Shore, VA
- Elizabeth City, NC
- Moyock, NC
- Outer Banks, NC
Call us at 757 622 5000 or contact us online for your free consultation to see how Rutter Mills can work for you and with you.
“The time following a serious accident is terrible and confusing. Unfortunately, insurance companies will take advantage of that – they’ll pressure you to take a settlement that they assure you is generous and fair. You need somebody in your corner from the beginning, one who has your best interest at heart. Rutter Mills has a reputation among insurance companies for being tough, and they also know if we don’t get the settlement offer we think is right, we’re more than willing to meet them in the courtroom.”
– Robert Mills