If you suffered an unfortunate car accident due to the negligence of others, Tronfeld West & Durrett Virginia lawyers are here to provide professional legal counsel, ensuring you don’t have to face the process of claiming compensation alone. Our primary goal is to help you find a path toward healing and secure fair compensation to cover all your damages and expenses, including medical bills and ongoing treatment.
Injured in a Car Accident in Newport News? Our Attorneys Can Help
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Newport News witnessed 3,274 vehicle collisions in 2022 alone, impacting thousands of victims who deserve justice and recovery. For many, car accidents not only mean dealing with physical injuries, but also confronting complex insurance claims, negotiating with other parties involved, and pursuing legal action.
As our case results show, at Tronfeld West & Durrett we have been offering expert legal representation to the injured in Virginia since 1972. Each settlement we have achieved over the years has not only brought rightful compensation to victims but has also contributed to a safer community by holding negligent parties accountable.
To achieve this, we delve deep into each case’s specifics, offering personalized guidance tailored to the unique circumstances of your accident. We can help you by deciphering insurance policies, ensuring that they don’t unjustly deny your claim or leave you under-compensated.
For answers to your questions about a car accident in Newport News, call:
800-321-6741
Causes of Car Accidents in Newport News
Car accidents in Newport News stem from various factors that range from driver errors to mechanical failures and other external factors. To prove liability and pursue justice, it’s crucial to understand the root cause of a car accident.
In this scenario, a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident allows us to build a strong case and ensure those affected receive the compensation they deserve. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Newport News include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Adverse weather conditions
- Mechanical failures
- Poor road conditions
Determining Fault
In Virginia, proving negligence is key to determining fault in car accidents and therefore to recovering compensation. In summary, negligence is defined as the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances.
This lack of care can take many forms, such as distracted driving, speeding, or failing to adhere to traffic laws, among many others. However, determining fault in Virginia is also influenced by the state’s adherence to the pure contributory negligence rule. This rule states that if the injured party is found to be even 1% responsible for the accident, they won’t be able to recover any compensation from the other party.
Therefore, it’s vital to conduct a thorough investigation of the causes of the accident, which involves not just examining the actions of the other driver but also ensuring that the injured party’s behavior didn’t contribute to the accident in any way.
What Are the Common Types of Car Accidents?
Not all car accidents are the same, and the type of accident you’re involved in often determines the nature of the injuries, the complexity of the case, and who’s at fault. Common types of car accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions: One of the most common types of accidents, often caused by distracted driving or following too closely. Even at low speeds, rear-end crashes can cause significant injuries like whiplash.
- T-bone or side-impact accidents: These occur when one vehicle hits the side of another, usually at intersections. They can be extremely dangerous due to the limited protection the sides of vehicles offer.
- Head-on collisions: These are often the most deadly, as the force of two vehicles colliding head-on can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
- Single-vehicle accidents: While it may seem like the driver is always at fault, these can also be caused by external factors such as poor road conditions, mechanical failures, or even the actions of other drivers.
Your car accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the crash to ensure every factor is considered, giving you the best shot at recovering the damages you’re owed.
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Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents affect the human body in numerous ways, and the injuries you suffer can range from minor to life-changing. Here are some of the most common injuries that victims endure after a car accident:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
Recovering from these injuries often requires not only immediate medical treatment but also long-term care. By documenting your injuries carefully and working with a skilled attorney, you can ensure your compensation fully covers the cost of your recovery, including future medical needs.
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Damages You Can Recover After a Car Accident
In Virginia, you’re entitled to recover a range of damages to help you cope with the financial and personal toll the accident takes on your life.
Some of the key damages you can claim in a car accident lawsuit include:
Medical Expenses
One of the most significant and immediate financial impacts after a car accident comes from medical expenses. In Virginia, you have the right to recover compensation for all medical treatments related to your accident. This includes emergency room visits, diagnostic tests like MRIs or X-rays, surgeries, and follow-up doctor appointments.
But medical expenses don’t stop at the initial treatment. You can also seek compensation for ongoing medical care, such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and any medical devices you may need, like crutches or wheelchairs. In more severe cases, if future surgeries or long-term care are required, you can recover damages for anticipated medical costs. It’s crucial to document all of your medical treatments, as this will help ensure you recover the full amount needed to cover your healthcare costs.
Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, lost wages become another major factor in your financial recovery. Virginia law allows you to recover compensation for the income you lost during the time you couldn’t work due to your injuries. This includes not just the days you missed entirely but also any reduced hours if you were only able to return to part-time work or light-duty roles.
Additionally, if your injuries lead to long-term or permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your previous job or impacts your earning potential, you may also be entitled to compensation for future lost wages. This is where a thorough understanding of your job’s demands and your physical limitations comes into play, and working with medical experts and vocational specialists can strengthen your case for future wage loss.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond the tangible costs like medical bills and lost wages, car accident victims in Virginia are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. This refers to the physical and emotional toll the accident has taken on your life. Pain and suffering damages account for the discomfort, stress, and long-term impacts on your quality of life resulting from the accident.
Chronic pain, limitations in physical movement, depression, anxiety, or even PTSD can all be factored into this calculation. While pain and suffering are more subjective than financial losses, an experienced car accident attorney can help quantify these damages based on the severity of your injuries, the length of recovery, and how the accident has altered your life.
Property Damage
Property damage is another area where you’re entitled to recover compensation. In most cases, this will involve the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. If your car is totaled in the accident, the insurance company should pay you the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of the crash.
However, property damage extends beyond just your car. If any personal items inside the vehicle were damaged in the crash—such as phones, laptops, or other valuable property—you can claim compensation for those as well. It’s important to provide receipts, estimates, or any other evidence to support your property damage claim and ensure that you are reimbursed for all losses.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Car Accident?
After a car accident in Newport News, you have two primary legal options: pursuing a settlement or filing a personal injury lawsuit. Each option has distinct processes and potential outcomes.
Commonly, settlements are a route where the implicated parties negotiate an agreement outside of court. This option usually leads to a quicker resolution and involves discussions with the negligent party or their insurance company to agree on a fair compensation amount for the damages incurred. The advantage here is the control it offers over the outcome.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit, on the other hand, is preferred when it isn’t possible to reach a settlement or if the offered compensation is insufficient. This process involves taking the case to court, where a judge or jury will examine the evidence, determine liability, and decide on the compensation amount.
Lawsuits offer the possibility of higher compensation but involve a longer, more complex process with less predictability in outcomes. Both options require careful consideration and a clear understanding of the circumstances of your case.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Virginia?
When you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to understand that you don’t have unlimited time to file a claim. In Virginia, the statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. That may seem like plenty of time, but in reality, it passes quickly — especially when you’re dealing with medical treatments, insurance negotiations, and the physical and emotional recovery process.
The statute of limitations is critical because, once it expires, you’re barred from pursuing legal action, meaning you could lose your right to compensation entirely. Insurance companies know this and may try to delay your claim, hoping the clock runs out. That’s why acting promptly is essential.
It’s always best to consult with a Newport News car accident lawyer at our law firm as soon as possible. By getting legal help early on, you can ensure that evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and your rights are protected, giving you the best possible chance at recovering the compensation you deserve.
The Process of Handling Car Accident Cases
After suffering an accident, and if you are considering pursuing legal action, these are the steps you may expect in the process:
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
The first step in handling your car accident case is an initial consultation with a lawyer. During this meeting, we’ll evaluate the details of your accident, assess the viability of your claim, and discuss the potential outcomes. This step helps to establish a foundation for your case and outlines a strategic approach tailored to your unique circumstances.
Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Following the initial consultation, our team will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident. This involves gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records. We also work with accident reconstruction experts to build a robust understanding of the events leading up to your accident, ensuring we can irrefutably prove liability.
Step 3: Negotiation and Litigation
The final step involves negotiating with the opposing party or, if necessary, litigating your case in court. As we already mentioned, the specific course of action you decide to take will be influenced by your case’s specific circumstances, and a personal injury lawyer will offer expert advice on which path to take.
Our Car Accident Lawyers in Newport News Can Help You Claim the Compensation You Deserve
When you’re involved in a car accident in Newport News, you may be facing physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. However, if you decide to pursue legal action to recover compensation for your damages, you’re not alone.
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we can help you review every detail of the accident to build a robust case that accurately represents your damages and maximizes your chances of a favorable outcome. We’re here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the support you need during this challenging time.
Let us handle the legal burdens while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your case.
Call or text 800-321-6741 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form