AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Auto accidents are the most ubiquitous cause of injuries in our state, with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reporting that in recent years, there have been more than 120,000 crashes reported per year as well as hundreds of fatalities. When a serious car accident happens, it can have life-changing consequences for those involved. Even accidents that are not fatal can be tragic, leaving victims with severe injuries and economic expenses.

At the law offices of Schilling & Esposito PLLC in Richmond, Virginia, our lawyers have been aggressively fighting for the rights of car accident victims for years. We know how to effectively manage your claim and improve your chances of getting the settlement award you deserve.

Top Causes of Car Accidents – Negligence is Nearly Always to Blame

Car accidents are almost always the result of the negligence, the failure to act with a reasonable degree of care, of one of the parties involved. The same source cited above reveals that many of the crashes that occurred in Virginia in recent years were alcohol and speed-related. In addition to driving while intoxicated or driving at a dangerous speed for conditions, other causes of accidents include following too closely, failing to yield, running red lights and stop signs, driving while distracted, and driving aggressively. Most car accidents could be completely prevented but for the actions of irresponsible and careless drivers, like in the case of drunk driving accidents, drowsy driving accidents, and reckless driving accidents.

Of course, drivers’ actions are not always to blame for crashes. Other things that may contribute to a crash include poor driving conditions, poor road surface conditions, and vehicle defects. If your car accident was caused by one of the above, our experienced Virginia car accident lawyers can help you to gather evidence to prove it, identify the liable party, and seek damages for your harm.

Car Accidents Can Have Lasting Effects

While minor fender-benders often result in few damages to vehicles or those within, auto accidents that occur at higher speeds can have catastrophic effects. Whether it is a rear-end collision, a T-bone car accident, or a roll-over accident, auto accidents can result in a tragic outcome. Injuries that are common in a car accident include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI);

• Spinal cord injuries;

• Soft tissue injuries;

• Internal injuries;

• Back and neck injuries;

• Bone fracture injuries; and

• Psychological injuries.

Not only can these injuries be very painful and physically limiting, but they may also prevent a person from being able to return to work, be very expensive to treat, and be accompanied by psychological and emotional damages, such as a loss of quality of life, depression, and anxiety. For some persons involved in a car accident, making a full recovery may never be possible.

Who’s Responsible for Damages after a Virginia Car Crash?

If you have been in a car accident in Virginia and have suffered injuries and other economic and noneconomic losses, it’s important that you understand the process for filing a claim and recovering compensation. If you cannot establish fault or if you were at all responsible for your accident, recovery may be barred.

Liability for your harm is based on negligence. You must prove that your accident and injuries would not have occurred but for the other party’s breach of the duty of care owed to you. Our attorneys can help you to understand the legal theories of negligence and liability and gather the evidence necessary to prove breach of duty of care and causation. We manage all elements of your claim, including collecting and preserving evidence, working with experts, organizing all documents, and negotiating with an insurance adjuster.

Virginia Pure Contributory Negligence Rule

One of the most important things that you need to know when filing a car accident claim is Virginia’s rule regarding contributory negligence. The state maintains a pure contributory negligence rule that, while antiquated and highly disputed, bars a party from recovering compensation if they contributed to their injuries in any way. In other words, the at-fault party must be 100 percent at fault; otherwise, you cannot recover any damages.

How Our Experienced Virginia Auto Accident Lawyers Can Help

Being involved in a car crash is scary, especially if the accident leaves you with serious injuries and expenses. Our attorneys understand what you’re going through and that you’re looking for support from a qualified, skilled legal professional. When you hire Schilling & Esposito, we promise to focus 100 percent of our energy on your case to maximize your settlement amount. Here’s how we can help you:

• Investigating your case. Understanding how an accident occurred and proving fault are critical for the recovery of a settlement. Not only do we visit the accident scene ourselves and talk to any witnesses, the police, and other relevant parties, but we hire accident reconstruction and other experts as well.

• Proving fault and damages. In order to recover the settlement that you deserve, you must prove the fault of the other party and substantiate the degree of damages you have suffered. With years of experience behind us, our skilled lawyers know how to do this effectively.

• Negotiating for a fair settlement. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that an insurance adjuster is working for you – insurance companies almost always offer claimants less than they truly deserve. We will review any settlement offer you receive and negotiate on your behalf to get a fair settlement offer. If negotiations fail, we are not intimidated by the prospect of taking your case to court.

Call Schilling & Esposito after a Car Accident

Working with a skilled Virginia car accident lawyer after being involved in a car accident can be a comfort and can provide peace of mind. Our lawyers are passionate about getting our clients the settlement awards they deserve and will always put you first.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our law firm today, please call us directly at (888) 484-4878 or send us a message telling us more about your case by using the intake form on our website. You can also drop into one of our two office locations in Richmond at your convenience.