Injured by someone else's negligence? You have rights.
Accidents can happen to anyone, but when someone else’s negligence causes your accident, you have legal rights to compensation. At CraigWilliams, PLC, we know how devastating these accidents can be. We are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We handle many types of personal injury cases, including:
Tractor trailer accidents
Motorcycle crashes
Wrongful death
Whether someone’s distracted driving caused a car accident or you slipped in water at the supermarket, the last thing you want to do is deal with insurance companies. If you are grieving over the loss of a loved one, you have more important things to think about. We will handle the legal issues for you.
If you have been in an accident, you probably have many questions about your claim. At CraigWilliams, PLC, our clients come to us from all over Central Virginia for their personal injury cases. Here are some of the questions they often ask:
Do I really need a lawyer?
The insurance company may offer you a settlement right away, but how do you know if it’s a good offer? Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible for your claim and will try to settle with you quickly before you know the extent of your injuries and before you have a chance to seek legal guidance. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine the true value of your claim. In addition, the possibility of taking your case to trial will put you in a better bargaining position.
What steps should I take after an accident?
After the initial shock of your accident wears off, you need to know what steps you should take. Your health always come first. If your injuries need immediate medical attention, seek it right away. If you can wait, you should take the following steps:
Call the police to report the accident
Exchange insurance information with anyone involved in the accident
Collect evidence, like taking pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles involved, if possible, and write down the names of any witnesses
Call your insurance company
Seek medical attention, if you are injured
Even if you think your injuries are minor, have them checked by a doctor. Many injuries are not obvious right away but worsen over time. Your final step is to consult with in attorney. When our clients come to us, we take over the job of collecting evidence right away so you can concentrate on healing.
How much is my case worth?
Every personal injury case is different. Several factors determine how much any case is worth, including:
Cost of medical bills now and in the future
Personal property damage
Lost wages for time away from work
Severity of your injuries
Pain and suffering
Virginia law does not cap most personal injury cases. Virginia does still recognize contributory negligence, however. That means the other side could argue you were also negligent in causing the accident, which would prevent you from making a recovery. Only an experienced attorney can look at all the facts of your case to give you an estimated range for your damages.
How long do I have to file my claim?
Filing your insurance claim and filing a lawsuit are two different things, so you want to be sure you meet both deadlines. In Virginia, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The time runs from the date of the accident. Most insurance companies, however, require you to file your insurance claim “promptly.” Contact us right away to make sure you meet any necessary filing deadlines.
Auto accidents can leave you shaken and injured. If the other driver caused the accident, you may also feel frustrated and angry. This may be especially true if you have catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one. Although your legal claim is probably not your top priority, at some point, you need to deal with the insurance company and other parties involved in the accident.
At CraigWilliams, PLC, our lawyers handle all types of motor vehicle accidents in the Louisa County area, including:
Each of these types of cases have unique legal issues. Let us handle the legal issues for you, including dealing with the insurance company. We will explain each step of the process, helping you make the decisions that are best for your family. If necessary, we are not afraid to take your case to trial to get you the results you deserve.
Many people wonder how we put a value on a case. The process involves evaluating many factors, including medical expenses, the severity of the injury, lost wages and pain and suffering. The one aspect all other factors depend on is the type of injury and its severity. Serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries result in more complex claims. They require long-term care and medical expenses. You may not be able to return to work. All of these factors will affect your claim.
Virginia is among the few states that do not require a driver to carry insurance. If you were hit by one of these drivers, you may be frustrated to find out that you have to pursue damages from that driver personally. And if they can’t afford car insurance, they aren’t likely to have much money to pay your claim.
You do have another option, called an uninsured motorist claim. Your own insurance policy should cover your damages in this situation, unless you intentionally opted out of this coverage. You can also pursue this coverage if you were the victim of a hit-and-run. Our office can explain to you how an uninsured motorist claim works, and help you recover.
In Virginia, property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for guests. They must warn guests if a dangerous condition exists on the property. If they fail in their duty and a guest is injured, the guest may have a premises liability claim against the owner. For example, you slip on an icy step at your apartment building or you trip and fall on a rug at a store.
Although this sounds straightforward, proving a premises liability claim can be quite complicated. You must show that the owner owed you a legal duty and prove that their negligence resulted in your injury. You need a skilled lawyer to help you navigate the many aspects of proving this type of case. At CraigWilliams, PLC, we have experience dealing with many different types of premises liability claims in the Louisa County area. We are practiced trial attorneys who aren’t afraid to fight for the compensation you deserve.
These accidents can happen anywhere. The common example most people hear about is slipping and falling on a wet floor at a supermarket. Falls are a common premises liability accident. Falling objects also cause injuries. For example, improperly stacked merchandise at a store could fall onto customers, resulting in a head injury. You can have a claim on private property, as well, including your own. Landlords generally have a duty to keep your property well maintained.
If you are injured on government property, such as a city park, be aware that these claims are much more difficult to pursue because of government immunity laws. That means you cannot sue the government without their consent. You can still bring your suit against a city in Virginia, or the state, but you must give notice of your lawsuit within special time limits. Contact our office right away to make sure you bring your claim in time.
When an accident leaves you with catastrophic injuries, your life changes in many ways. You may not yet know how your future will look with these injuries. Although your health is your top priority, you also need to consider how you will take care of yourself and your family during and after your recovery. You need a law firm that will fight for you to make sure you receive compensation that matches these needs. The experienced trial attorneys at CraigWilliams, PLC, help accident victims all over central Virginia recover damages from serious injuries.
Catastrophic injuries differ from regular injuries in that they may change your life in a permanent way, and also affect your family. They can result from any type of accident, but some accidents are more likely to result in severe injuries than others. Anytime you have a big difference between the sizes of vehicles and the protection of the individuals, such as a motorcycle crash or an accident with a tractor trailer, the chances of severe injuries increases.
The serious injuries we see most often include:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI): When you have a head injury, you may have differing levels of damage. You can treat most TBIs, but you may have some level of injury that stays with you for years to come, including memory loss, problems thinking, mood swings and reduced motor skills.
Spinal cord injury: Trauma to your spine can leave you either partially or totally paralyzed, resulting in additional problems with breathing, circulation, reflexes and pain.
Severe burn injury: Aside from being very painful, burns can leave you with infection, disfigurement and reduced limb function.
These are just a few examples of catastrophic injuries, but any injury that leaves you unable to work or provide for your family may qualify.
These injuries may require tremendous resources to treat, including surgical operations, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term in-home care. Even home renovations may be necessary, such as installing ramps, widening doorways or putting in grab bars to make everyday life possible. You may be unable to work for a time, or even permanently.
The insurance company will try to convince you to settle your personal injury claim right away, possibly before the full extent of your injuries are known. They are trying to pay the least amount possible. You must trust your attorney to look out for you. Don’t sign anything from the insurance company without seeking your lawyer’s advice. And early settlement could leave you without the financial resources you need for your injuries in the years to come. Once you settle, you won’t have another chance. Make it count!