If you were recently injured in a Virginia Beach car accident through no fault of your own, you need to reach out to a skilled Virginia Beach car accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp as quickly as possible. Doing so will ensure that a qualified attorney will be able to build the most compelling case possible on your behalf. The faster you seek experienced legal representation, the faster you will receive the financial compensation you need for your injuries and other damages. There are some cases for which you may not require a car accident lawyer. For instance, if your collision was a small fender bender with no physical injuries and only vehicle damage, you can most likely settle the issue through the insurance company without any additional assistance. Virginia law states that all drivers are required to stay on the scene of any car accident that causes property damage, death, or injuries.
That said, when do you need to contact a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer for assistance?
Your Injuries Are Serious
If you were seriously injured, you may not be able to return to work for an extended time or at all. If this is the case, you are likely dealing with exorbitant medical costs arising from your accident-related injuries. You could also be facing ongoing damages, including future medical costs and lost or diminished earning capacity. An experienced Virginia Beach car accident attorney will know how to pursue maximum financial compensation for your lost wage damages.
Fault Is Being Disputed
The insurance carrier could call your liability into question. Simply assuming their conclusion is correct and not trying to contest it can ruin your odds of receiving the settlement you deserve. An experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyer will be familiar with all the strategies that insurance companies use to avoid liability and circumvent them, ensuring that you obtain the damages you need.
You Were Offered a Lowball Settlement
Before you accept a settlement from the insurance carrier, it is essential that you seek the advice of a reputable attorney. Immediately after a car accident, it is often quite challenging to fully grasp all of the damages you could potentially face caused by your injuries. If a skilled attorney has not fully examined the extent of your damages, you are in danger of agreeing to a lowball settlement that does not fully cover your losses.
What Are the Benefits of Working With a Car Accident Lawyer?
A knowledgeable Virginia Beach car accident attorney can assist you in streamlining the legal process and maximizing your recovery by helping you with things such as:
- Acquiring copies of relevant police reports
- Tracking down eyewitnesses who saw your accident
- Hiring expert witnesses to support your claim
- Helping you get proper medical care for your injuries
- Preparing your case for trial
If you were injured in a Virginia Beach car accident, partnering with a car accident lawyer from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can be a major boon to your claim. During your free consultation, we will examine the facts of your case and advise you on the best way for you to reach a successful outcome.
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Car Accident Case?
An overwhelming majority of car accident cases are settled without ever going to court. The legal fees and additional expenses related to going to court make trials unduly expensive. This means that it is almost always more economical for insurance carriers to settle these types of claims instead of rolling the dice on the outcome of a trial.
It is important to keep in mind that the insurer’s primary concern is to save their employer money by offering you a settlement that is lower than the true value of your claim in the hopes that you will accept it before you have spoken with a lawyer. Consequently, it is to your advantage to have a seasoned Virginia Beach car accident lawyer evaluate your settlement offer before you accept it to ensure it fully remunerates you.
Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp
You should seek skilled legal representation for a Virginia Beach car accident claim promptly after your accident. The experienced Virginia Beach, VA. car accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can manage all necessary communications, advise you on legal procedure, and keep you from making any errors that will reduce the value of your claim. Using these methods, we were able to obtain a $675,000 settlement for a car accident victim who sustained severe injuries and had a pre-existing medical condition worsened when his vehicle was rear-ended by another driver. To schedule a free case review with one of our attorneys, call (833) 997-1774 or fill out the contact form on our website. We have offices in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Norfolk.
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An experienced personal injury attorney with dual licensure in Virginia and North Carolina, Eric Washburn received a B.B.A. in Finance from James Madison University—initially worked in the information technology field before obtaining his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Once an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Danville, Va., Eric has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” Super Lawyer in Virginia since 2014.