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.
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.
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:
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.
If you have been in a car accident in Virginia and have suffered property damage, 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.
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.
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:
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.