If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering whether or not you need a personal injury lawyer. The answer to this question can vary depending on the circumstances of your case.
At Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, we want to make sure you understand your rights. If you have been injured, it’s important to know what options you have and what steps you can take. This is why our experienced personal injury lawyers work with you to help determine if you need to hire a lawyer for your claim.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a legal process used to seek compensation for injuries caused by another party. The claims process can be complex, and it is often advisable to have legal representation. To help you determine if you need a lawyer, some questions you should ask yourself are:
Who Is At Fault for the Accident?
A personal injury lawyer can investigate the accident and gather evidence to build a strong case. If the other party denies responsibility for the accident, you will likely need a lawyer to help prove liability. Insurance companies will not pay out claims unless liability is clear in most cases.
How Severe Are Your Injuries?
If you have suffered serious injuries, you will likely need a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. Serious injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injury. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and can lead to long-term complications. A personal injury lawyer can help you get the financial support you need to cover your medical expenses and other damages.
Do You Want to Seek Compensation for Your Injuries?
If you plan on filing a claim or lawsuit, you will need a lawyer. Personal injury lawyers are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and can help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Do You Have Pre-Existing Injuries?
If you have a pre-existing injury, you may still be able to get compensation for your accident injuries. However, it will likely be more difficult to prove that the accident was the cause of your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence and build a strong case to prove your injuries were caused by the accident.
Do You Have Insurance?
If you have insurance, you may still need a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies often deny claims or lowball settlements. A personal injury lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Are Multiple Parties Involved?
If multiple parties are involved in your accident, you may need a lawyer to help sort out liability. For example, if you were hit by a car while walking, the driver of the car would be liable. However, if the driver was working for a company at the time of the accident, the company may also be held accountable. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for your injuries.
Is the Insurance Company Refusing Your Claim?
Insurance companies sometimes act in bad faith to avoid paying claims. If the insurance company refuses to pay your claim or offer a fair settlement, you may need a lawyer. A personal injury attorney can help you hold the insurance company accountable and protect your rights.
Are You Pursuing a Claim Against a Government Entity?
If your accident involved a government entity you might need a lawyer. Claims against government entities have special rules and regulations that must be followed. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with these rules and can help you navigate the claims process.
What Can Prompt a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury can be any physical or psychological injury. Many situations can prompt a personal injury lawsuit. Some common examples include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Product liability
- Medical malpractice
What is the Difference Between a Personal Injury Claim and Lawsuit?
A personal injury claim is filed with an insurance company and is sometimes settled outside of court to seek compensation for injuries. A personal injury lawsuit is filed in civil court to get a judgment for damages. If a lawsuit is filed, the case may sometimes still be settled prior to a trial.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
The length of time it takes to resolve a personal injury claim depends on many factors, such as the severity of the injuries, the insurance company’s investigation, and whether the parties can reach an agreement.
How to Find the Right Lawyer For You
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to find a lawyer that you can trust. Here are some tips on how to find the right lawyer for your needs:
- Get referrals from friends, family, or other lawyers.
- Do some research online and read reviews from past clients.
- Meet with a few different lawyers to get a feel for their personality and style.
- Make sure the lawyer you choose has experience handling cases like yours.
When you’ve narrowed down your list, set up consultations with each lawyer to get a better sense of their experience and whether or not they would be a good fit for your case.
Questions to Ask Your Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer
Once you’ve decided that you need a personal injury lawyer, the next step is to find the right one. Here are some questions to ask when meeting with potential lawyers:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- How many personal injury cases have you handled?
- Do you have experience with cases like mine?
- What is your success rate?
- How will you handle my case?
- What are my chances of winning?
- How much will it cost to hire you?
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Be sure to ask plenty of questions and do your research before hiring a lawyer.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
The lawyer will ask you questions about your accident and injuries during your consultation. They will also ask for any documentation, such as police reports or medical records. Be sure to bring anything relevant to your case so that the lawyer can better understand what happened.
Don’t wait to get started on your personal injury claim. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can begin working on your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about your case.
Responsible Parties in Your Claim
The first step in filing a personal injury claim is identifying the responsible parties. In some cases, there may be more than one responsible party. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, the other driver may be liable. Once you’ve identified the responsible parties, your lawyer can begin working on your case.
Negligence in Richmond Personal Injury Cases
To win a personal injury case, you must be able to prove that the other party was negligent. This means that they failed to take reasonable care to prevent the accident from happening. For example, if you slipped and fell in a grocery store, the property owner may have been negligent if they didn’t put a wet floor sign down or didn’t make sure the floor was clear of obstacles.
Four elements of negligence must be present to win your case: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty: The first element is duty. If you suffered a slip and fall, the property owner owed you a duty of care to ensure the premises were safe. This means that the other party owed you a duty of care.
Breach: The second element is breach. This means that the other party breached their duty of care. If you slipped and fell, the property owner might have breached their duty by not putting up a wet floor sign or by not cleaning up a spill in a timely manner.
Causation: The third element is causation. This means that the other party’s breach of duty caused your injuries. If you slipped and fell, the property owner’s failure to put up a wet floor sign or clean up the spill caused your injuries.
Damages: The fourth and final element is damages. This means that you suffered some harm because of the other party’s negligence. If you slipped and fell, you might have suffered injuries like a broken bone or a concussion.
If you can prove all four elements of negligence, you will likely be successful in your personal injury case.
What to Expect From Your Personal Injury Lawyer
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you can expect them to handle all aspects of your case. This includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, filing paperwork, and negotiating with the responsible parties. You should be able to focus on your recovery while your lawyer handles the rest.
Personal Injury Damages in Virginia
If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. This includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, such as:
Medical bills may include the cost of hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medication, and any other medical expenses related to the accident.
Lost wages may come in the form of lost income from time missed at work and future lost earnings if you are unable to return to work or must take a lower-paying job because of your injuries.
Property damage may include the cost of repairing or replacing any personal property that was damaged in the accident.
Non-economic damages are those that do not have a specific monetary value, such as:
Pain and suffering. Victims of personal injury can also recover damages for the physical and emotional pain and suffering they have endured.
Mental trauma. In some cases, the victim may also be able to recover damages for any mental trauma that they have suffered as a result of the accident.
Loss of enjoyment of life. If the victim is unable to do the things that they enjoy because of their injuries, they may be able to recover damages for this loss.
Permanent disfigurement or disability. Some catastrophic injuries may result in permanent disfigurement or disability, which requires long-term care.
In Virginia, these damages have no caps or limits. However, punitive damages, which aim to punish the negligent party, are capped at $350,000 in most cases. If you believe you have a personal injury case, it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
The Statute of Limitations in Virginia
In most cases, you have two years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia. This rule has some exceptions, so speaking with a personal injury attorney immediately after the accident is important.
What Happens If I Miss the Deadline?
If you miss the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, you will likely be barred from recovery. This means that even if you have a valid claim, you will not be able to receive any compensation for your damages.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. This means that the responsible party will agree to pay you a certain amount of money to compensate you for your damages.
However, if the responsible party does not agree to settle, your case may go to trial. A personal injury trial can be a lengthy and complicated process, so it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side.
How Long Does a Richmond Personal Injury Case Take?
The amount of time it takes to resolve a personal injury case varies. It depends on the severity of the injuries, the amount of damages, and whether or not the responsible party is willing to settle. In some cases, a personal injury case can be resolved within a few months. However, in other cases, it may take years to resolve.
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another party, it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They can help you understand your legal options and ensure that you take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured in an Accident in Richmond, VA
If you have been injured in an accident, there are a few things you should do:
- Seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. They can document your injuries and begin treatment.
- Gather evidence. If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident and your injuries. This can be helpful when speaking with a personal injury lawyer.
- Speak with a personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and ensure that you take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay any upfront costs. Instead, the lawyer will take a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci Today
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the easier it will be to build your case.
Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is a personal injury law firm that serves clients throughout Virginia. We have extensive experience handling all types of personal injury claims, and we are here to help you. We know what it takes to hold the responsible party accountable and seek the compensation our clients need and deserve.
Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci has recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Contact one of our attorneys today to learn more about when to hire a personal injury lawyer in Richmond. We offer free initial consultations so that you can have your case evaluated without any cost or obligation. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Personal Injury Law FAQs
What is a settlement?
A settlement is an agreement between the injured person and the responsible party or the responsible party’s insurance company. It is a resolution to the case outside of court. Your case could settle at any time during the personal injury claim process.
What is a verdict?
A verdict is a decision made by a judge or jury. If your case goes to trial, the judge or jury will hear evidence from both sides and then make a decision. The verdict will determine how much compensation you are owed.
Is it better to settle or go to trial?
There is no easy answer to this question. It depends on the circumstances of your case. Some cases are better suited for settlement, while others may need to go to trial in order to get the full amount of compensation you deserve.
The best way to determine whether or not you should settle or go to trial is to speak with a personal injury lawyer. They will review your case and help you make the best decision for your situation.
Do I need a lawyer to file a personal injury claim?
You are not required to have a lawyer file a personal injury claim. However, it is generally in your best interest to hire a lawyer. Personal injury attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to build a strong case and get you the full amount of compensation you deserve.
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
If you have been injured in an accident, you may be wondering if you have a case. The best way to determine this is to contact a personal injury attorney. They will review your case and determine whether or not you have a valid claim.
How much money can I get for a Richmond personal injury?
The amount of money you can get for a Richmond personal injury will depend on the severity of your injuries, the responsible party’s insurance policy, and other factors.
Can I file a personal injury claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Virginia follows a doctrine known as contributory negligence. This means that if you were partially at fault for the accident, no matter how minor, you will be barred from recovering compensation. If you were partially at fault for the accident, you might not be able to recover compensation.
How do I hire a personal injury attorney?
The best way to hire a personal injury lawyer is to contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci. We offer free initial consultations so that you can have your case evaluated without any cost or obligation.
