Glen Allen, VA Car Accident Lawyer

Glen Allen, VA Car Accident Attorney

Being involved in a car accident can be one of the most traumatic and overwhelming events in your life. Car accidents can be insignificant annoyances, life-changing tragedies, and many different things in between. It’s entirely up to chance which one you will be involved in. They are usually unpredictable and can result in serious injury. If you wish to pursue legal action against the one who caused the accident, contact a Glen Allen car accident lawyer.

Getting in a Car Accident in Glen Allen

Car accidents can be nightmarish situations that have the potential to completely alter your life in an instant. People lose loved ones, experience traumatic injuries, and walk away with mental trauma all the time. It is important to recognize the potential lifelong damage that can happen from a car accident. Hiring a Glen Allen personal injury lawyer to hold the right people accountable is a big decision, but it might be a necessary one to heal from the trauma.

If you ultimately decide to pursue legal action against the responsible party, it is important to keep in mind the statute of limitations on personal injury cases, such as car accident cases, in Virginia.

The state gives you two years to:

• Establish the grounds for your case.
• Build a strong case.
• Gather the evidence you need to back up your claim.
• Speak with a personal injury lawyer.
• File a claim for compensatory damages.

If you don’t file quickly, you might miss your window.

If you decide not to file your claim before two years have passed, there is a decent chance that your case may be dismissed, and your opportunity to pursue legal action may pass by completely. It can take a lot more time to build a substantial personal injury case than you might initially think, so it may be wise to hire a knowledgeable car accident lawyer and leave the process to them.

There may be other legal issues to consider. Under Virginia state law, it is the duty of any driver who is involved in an accident where somebody is injured or killed to stop immediately and report the accident to the police. Failure to do so could result in the driver being charged with a Class 5 felony, depending on the situation.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Glen Allen?

The decisions you make after a car accident will influence the entirety of your case. It is vital that you take the proper steps to protect yourself after such an incident.

Here are some vital steps you can take to protect you and your case in Glen Allen:

• Don’t Panic: You have just been in a car accident. It is going to be a frightening situation. Despite all your instincts telling you to panic, you should try your hardest not to. Panicking won’t help your situation and could actually make things worse. Get a hold of yourself, take a few deep breaths, and assess your situation.
• Check for Injuries: Once you have calmed down, you should start checking yourself for any obvious injuries. Look for any wet spots, protrusions, sprains, bruising, and broken bones. You should do the same for any passengers that might be in the car. If you don’t find anything but are still in pain, mention this to the EMTs once they arrive.
• Call 911: Once you have checked for injuries, you should call 911 as soon as you can. You will want EMTs and police officers on the scene quickly.
• Move Your Car: If you are not that injured, you may want to consider moving your car to the side of the road if you haven’t already. If you do not, it could cause another car accident if oncoming traffic hits it. If the police allow it, move your car to the shoulder. If you are too injured or the car is too wrecked, don’t worry about it.
• Exchange Information: You and the other driver will need to exchange insurance and contact information. Be sure to get their name, phone number, address, license plate number, and insurance carrier. Give them the same information.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Throughout this entire process, never admit fault for the accident. Admitting fault, even by accident, can seriously hurt your future accident claim. Even if you know the accident was entirely your fault, don’t say anything. Even apologizing can be mistaken for accepting blame for the accident. Be civil, but don’t admit fault.
• Document the Scene: Once the police and EMTs have cleared you, you can start documenting the accident scene for your own records. Take photos of your injuries, the damage to both vehicles, the road conditions, and any posted signs. Speak to any witnesses who may be willing to provide their statements.
• See a Lawyer: Once you have collected evidence and spoken to your insurance carrier about the accident, you should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer. They can start building a case for compensatory damages.

Glen Allen Car Accident FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Virginia?

A: The average settlement for a car accident in Virginia cannot help you estimate the value of your claim. Every car accident case is going to be different, with each individual case having its own set of details and circumstances. When discussing a settlement offer, each side has to take certain factors into consideration, such as the severity of the resulting injuries.

Q: How Long After a Car Accident Can You Pursue Legal Action in Virginia?

A: In Virginia, you will have two years to pursue legal action for your car accident case. That gives you two years to gather evidence, build a case, speak with a lawyer, and file for damages. If you are unable to file before these two years are up, your case may be completely dismissed.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in Virginia?

A: Settling a car accident claim in Virginia takes as long as it needs to. Since every car accident case is different, the amount of time it might take the insurance to investigate is unique to each case. Generally, most car insurance claim investigations take a few months, but it really depends on the case.

Q: Is Virginia a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

A: No, Virginia is not a no-fault state for car accidents. Virginia is very much an at-fault state for car accidents. Therefore, the party that is found to be liable for the accident is responsible for reimbursing the other party for any damages. If the other party is even slightly responsible for the accident, they can’t seek damages under contributory negligence laws.

Contact Us Today

At Whitlock Law, LLC, we can represent you throughout your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.