Guide to Finding Virginia Injury Lawyer

There are many circumstances in which you can fall prey to injury. Road accidents, unsafe businesses and defective products are just some of the causes of injurious or fatal accidents. Virginia injury lawyers act on behalf of people seeking compensation after they have been involved in such an incident. If you are thinking of hiring private legal counsel to help you navigate this kind of civil litigation, here are a few things you need to know.

Injury and the law

When you experience a personal injury that is someone else’s fault, you may wish to hire a Virginia injury lawyer to help file a lawsuit seeking damages for:

• Medical expenses

• Physical pain

• Emotional suffering

• Lost wages resulting from the injury

• Damage done to your marriage because of the injury

You do not need a Virginia injury lawyer to represent you in civil court. It is possible to file a lawsuit yourself in a “pro se” capacity. However, most cases will benefit from the advice of a VA injury lawyer with specialized experience in your kind of case. The statute of limitations for beginning the legal system is two years from the time of this accident. No Virginia injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit after this period has expired.

Some types of accidents you may be involved in include:

• A car or truck collision

• Falling or otherwise experiencing an injury on someone else’s property. In this kind of lawsuit, Virginia injury lawyers files charges of “premises liability”

• An injury caused by a product that is defectively assembled, contains defective parts or whose instructions have inadequate or misleading safety information

Virginia is one of only four states in which injuries are evaluated on the basis of “contributive negligence.” This means a VA injury lawyer must prove that another person or business was entirely at fault for whatever harm was done to you. If you were even partially responsible, you cannot receive any financial compensation.

What to do if you are injured

Immediately following an accident, the most important thing to consider is your health. If you are seriously hurt and require medical care as soon as possible, you may have to go to an emergency room. People who are not obviously hurt should nonetheless consult a physician as soon as possible to make sure they have not been injured. VA injury lawyers should only be talked to after your health has been secured.

Make sure to receive copies of your doctor’s notes of any damage done to your body. A Virginia injury lawyer cannot file a lawsuit over injuries that have not been properly documented.

After you have sufficiently recovered, file a claim with your health insurance company, as well as with the insurance company of anyone you think may be responsible for your injury. VA injury lawyers cannot guarantee that you will be awarded compensation in court, but you may be able to recover some of your medical expenses without pursuing litigation. Make sure to receive copies of your claims and any correspondence with any insurance companies. These documents can help a VA injury lawyer prove you have acted in good faith prior to filing a lawsuit.

If you are well enough, you should begin collecting evidence at the scene of the accident. Documents that have help a VA injury lawyer construct a strong case include:

• Medical records and invoices

• Records of wages lost, if any

• Names and contact information of potential witnesses

• Photos of the scene of the injury

• Photos of visible physical harm, if any

The more documentation you have, the better your odds of a successful lawsuit. Prior to consulting any Virginia injury lawyers, make sure to assemble as much evidence as possible to help an attorney evaluate whether you have a case worth pursuing.

Hiring a lawyer

If you decide you wish to pursue civil litigation, you will want to find a trustworthy professional representative. Ask friends and family if they can refer you to a Virginia injury lawyer they have worked with who possesses specialized experience in handling your kind of case. The Virginia State Bar may also be able to direct you to a qualified attorney.

Prior to agreeing to a meeting with any Virginia injury lawyer, make sure to check their discipline records online to make sure they have not been censured for any ethical violations. Do not trust grandiose promises made on attorneys’ websites or other forms of advertising. You want to make sure any VA injury lawyers you hire to represent you will focus on your best interests rather than their bottom line.

Enter your first meeting with all relevant documentation and a clear idea of how much time, attention and money you can commit to litigation. Be candid with all Virginia injury lawyers about your expectations and answer all their questions in as much detail as possible. Be prepared to ask questions of your own, such as:

• What level of experience do you have in my kind of case?

• If you do not have enough experience in the field to competently represent me, can you recommend me to another VA injury lawyer?

• What can I reasonably expect from litigation?

• How long will my case take to resolve?

• How often will I be updated on progress in my case?

• Who can I contact with any questions I have?

Compensation and paying VA injury lawyers

If your case is strong and has a good chance of resulting in being awarded financial compensation, you may not need to pay for private legal counsel. A VA injury lawyer may be willing to represent you on a contingency basis. This means they will take a percentage of any damages you receive.

VA injury lawyers working on a contingency basis may still charge you for pretrial expenses, such as hiring an expert witness or filing paperwork with the court. Some attorneys may be willing to advance part or all of these costs. Be sure to receive a detailed, written estimation of all costs you should be prepared to pay any VA injury lawyers you consult.