Filing a Virginia Car Accident Claim | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

If you have sustained injuries in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligent actions, you may be able to collect financial damages for those injuries. In the majority of cases, victims can collect both economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, and noneconomic damages, such as disfigurement, scarring, and pain and suffering. Many victims who have been injured believe that because it is obvious who the at-fault party was, they do not need any legal assistance in collecting those damages and attempt to handle it themselves. However, regardless of how much evidence there may be to prove fault in an accident, these cases can quickly become complex and the victim often ends up being financially victimized. This is why it is important to contact a Virginia personal injury attorney.

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Steps to an Accident Claim

In the majority of cases, a claim needs to be filed with the insurance company of the person who caused the accident. Things the insurance company will be looking for are items such as victims’ statements, police accident reports, and any other evidence which will prove their client caused the accident. During this process, there are several possible actions the insurance company may take.

One thing they may do, dependent on the circumstances of the case, is to offer you a settlement for you economic and noneconomic losses. It is critical to remember that once you accept any settlement, you waive any future legal liability the company will have. The insurance adjuster may likely try to pressure you to accept the offer quickly, even putting a deadline on it. Regardless of what he or she tells you, never accept a settlement without first speaking to your Virginia car accident attorney.

It is not uncommon for negotiations to cease between victims and insurance companies, especially if the company is not offering a settlement amount that the victim deserves. At this point, many victims will file a lawsuit. When a case gets to this point, it is also not uncommon for the insurance company to come back to the negotiating table with more reasonable and fair settlement offers.

Contact a Virginia Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a car accident, you do not have to go it alone. Contact a skilled Virginia car accident attorney to discuss what your legal options are. Our personal injury law firm has built a solid reputation for aggressively advocating for our clients against difficult insurance companies and getting them the compensation they are entitled to.