One of the most common questions people have after being involved in a motor vehicle accident is whether you really need to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you and the other passengers involved in the accident. In the vast majority of cases, it makes sense to schedule a consultation with an attorney. Research has shown most people are rewarded more money when they have legal representation.
There are endless scenarios where a skilled, experienced attorney can recover more damages than the average person in a personal injury case. A lawyer may handle tasks such as:
- Determining your total losses
- Gathering evidence for your case
- Give professional advice including answering questions and determining what concerns the client has
- Representing their client when dealing with insurance companies
- Make sure all the paperwork is properly filed
- Catching up with witnesses who saw the accident or injury
- Work with the insurance company to determine a fair settlement
When a policyholder opens a new claim, the insurance company is interested in closing the claim as quickly as possible. Without attorney representation, they will try to settle an injury claim for the minimal amount possible. Insurance companies expect a larger settlement when there is legal representation.
Contributory negligence / comparative fault laws vary in all 50 states. The amount of damages a party recovers will vary depending on what state the accident occurred. The laws governing damage recovery in Richmond are different than they are in Los Angeles.
Virginia is one of four states and the District of Columbia to follow Pure Contributory Negligence. Under these laws, the defendant cannot recover damages from the plaintiff if it is found they contributed even 1% to the damages of the plaintiff.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident or other personal injury, it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. In Virginia, you have two years to file a claim from the time of the injury. The attorneys at Epperly & Follis, P.C. have many years of experience representing clients in personal injury claims. You can contact them at 1-888-703-0109 to schedule your consultation today.