Auto accidents are the most common cause of personal injuries. When an accident occurs, it is usually the result of distracting driving or the negligent act of not following the rules of the road. If you have been involved in a serious auto accident, it is imperative to contact an auto accident attorney who can assess your case and advise on the best course of action. A person who is responsible for causing an auto accident can be held financially accountable for injuries.
Before talking to the at-fault party’s insurance carrier or attorney about an auto accident, it is advised to consult with an auto accident attorney. Insurance carriers may put on a friendly face, but make no mistake, they have no intention of paying the full extent for your damages. An experienced auto accident attorney can make sure that you are not pushed aside. At the O’Bryan Law Firm, you can rely on our auto accident attorney’s expertise to procure a favorable settlement on your behalf.
In 2012, there was a car accident every 4.26 minutes in Virginia.
That is according to a report by the Virginia Highway Safety Office. The same report estimates that about one in every twenty licensed drivers was involved in a traffic accident that year.
Car crashes happen so often, but many of us don’t know how to react.
What should you do if you’ve been involved in an auto accident in Virginia?
- Call for help: make sure the police and medical help are on their way
- Collect information: take pictures, write down everything you remember, talk to witnesses and ask them to file a report
- Start the insurance process: file a claim and make sure you have the other driver’s insurance information
- Get a lawyer: an attorney can help to guide you and protect you during this process
Wayne O’Bryan left a large firm and started his Richmond law office in order to fully serve his Richmond and Southside Virginia clients. Wayne understands that you need your case resolved quickly and correctly so you can return to a rewarding life.
Wayne listens to his clients’ stories and provides real guidance to the victims of car, truck, or motorcycle accidents. He knows the law in Virginia, and he knows and respects his clients.
Whether you…
- Were t-boned on Broad Street in downtown Richmond
- Were injured in a head-on collision on the Jefferson Davis Highway
- Fractured your clavicle when your SUV rolled over on the Richmond Petersburg Turnpike
- Were thrown from your motorcycle on the Mechanicsville Turnpike
- Were rear-ended in a traffic jam on Route 60
Wayne O’Bryan can help!
Other Types of Auto Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Accidents Involving Ambulances or Police Cars
Richmond Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents can cause serious injuries. These can range from cuts, bruises, and soft tissue injuries to catastrophic injuries including head, neck, spinal cord and brain injuries. How will I pay my medical bills? How will I support my family while I recover? These are some of the questions people injured in auto accidents ask themselves. O’Bryan Law can help by providing answers to these questions and by offering advice regarding your legal rights when you are involved in a car accident or truck wreck.
If you have been injured in a car wreck, it is important to go see a doctor as soon as possible. If you do not seek treatment quickly then the insurance company will try and use that against you and say you were not really injured. It is also important to follow all of the instructions your doctor may tell you. This includes seeking follow-up treatment and/or physical therapy and taking the prescribed medications.
Under Virginia law, you may have the right to recover monetary damages if you have been injured in a car accident through somebody else’s fault.
Damages may include payment for:
- Medical costs
- Property loss
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
After a car accident, a representative of the negligent party’s auto insurance company may call and make a settlement offer in your personal injury case. Please remember that signing a release of your personal injury claim, in exchange for an insurance company check, may extinguish your personal injury claim forever. Also keep in mind that insurance companies are businesses. They are in business to make money and one way they make money is by denying claims. Therefore, even if the insurance company makes what you believe is a reasonable settlement offer, it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced car accident attorney who will evaluate your case and put your interests ahead of the insurance companies. All the information the insurance company asks you to give them will be used against you. It is not in your best interest to talk to them.
How can I be compensated for a Virginia car accident?
When it comes to being compensated for a car accident, there are usually three types of claims:
- Property damage claims which include damages to your vehicle
- Claim for medical bills
- Claim for injuries caused by the accident
If you are involved in a car accident in Virginia, you actually do not need a lawyer to help you if you have a claim for vehicle damages or medical bills. Those types of claims can usually be handled pretty easily and covered by the insurance company, that is, if the insurance company is fair and reasonable. However, when it comes to claims for injuries, the situation becomes a little sticky.
Your Rights as a Car Accident Victim
As a victim of a car accident in Virginia, keep in mind that you have a right to be compensated for medical bills in addition to being compensated for future medical care. In addition, if the car accident causes an injury in which you are inconvenienced and lose the ability to enjoy life, you have the right to an injury claim.
The fact that you can’t go bike riding, bowling, play tennis or do any day-to-day activities is very important. If your family is suffering because you can’t provide adequate care and can’t participate in family activities, then it is your right to be compensated for that as well.
Compensating someone for an injury can get a little tricky because there are so many factors involved. Attempting to resolve an injury claim with an insurance company on your own can become a long process if you’re not familiar with car accident claims. This is where an experienced Richmond auto accident injury attorney can help. Your attorney can determine what would be fair compensation for your injuries and figure out the best way to reach a settlement.
Will The Police Report For My Auto Accident Help Or Hurt My Case? Will My Personal Injury Attorney Have Access To Any And All Police Reports?
The personal injury attorney will have access to any and all police reports, which can help or hurt a case. If the reports support what the plaintiff has told their attorney, this will help the plaintiff’s case and confirm that they are being honest. If the reports are inconsistent with what the plaintiff has told their attorney, this could hurt their case; if and when the police officer testifies under these circumstances, they will be testifying against the plaintiff’s version of the accident. Read More
More Auto Accident Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do if I am in a car or truck accident?
- What information should I get at the scene from the drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident?
- How much is my accident worth?
- Will my insurance premium rates go up if I make a claim against an uninsured driver or motorist?
- How do I pay my medical bills after an accident? Do I wait for the other person’s insurance company to pay the bills? Aren’t they responsible?
- Do cars and trucks in Virginia have to be insured in case of accidents?
- What are my rights in a Virginia car accident?
Library
- Five Mistakes People Make After an Auto Accident in Virginia
- Safety Driving Tips: How to Keep Your Teen Safe on Virginia Roadways
- First Steps Are Critical to Avoid Wrecking Your Case Before it Starts.
- Car Insurance Buying Tips
- Quick Tips for Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle
- 7 Myths about Car Safety
- What You Need to Know About Car Accident Insurance Settlements
- Richmond, Virginia Ranked in Top Ten Deadliest Cities For Teen Auto Crashes
- What You Should Ask Your Auto Accident Injury Lawyer
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage – Do you have enough?
- The Difference Between Medical Bills Claims and Injury Claims
- Driven to Safety [PDF]
- Biller vs. Toyota Lawsuit [PDF]
- Legal Malpractice in an Accident Injury Case [PDF]
