Hampton Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be terrifying and life-changing, especially if they result in catastrophic injuries. The added emotional trauma and economic stress can leave victims overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. However, as a Hampton car accident attorney, I can guide you toward financial recovery.

I’m Ed Atkinson, a seasoned Hampton personal injury lawyer, and I’ve dedicated my legal career to helping injured victims throughout Virginia rebuild their lives after a tragic event. I personally talk to and collaborate with each of my clients as their Hampton car accident lawyer to fully understand their experience. Please call me to discuss your claim and start planning your legal strategy today.

Why You May Need Legal Representation

Experiencing a car crash can be overwhelming. Even after the initial shock wears off, the aftermath continues to be emotionally and physically draining. In addition, dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and property damage can be difficult, especially if you have sustained severe injuries.

As an experienced personal injury lawyer who works closely with every client, I understand the many difficulties you face during this period. While you may feel disoriented and vulnerable, I welcome you to my law firm as a client and a friend.

Together we will take control of the car accident narrative and build a strong case to support your compensation claim. I will protect your rights throughout the legal proceedings and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

Building a Strong, Evidence-Based Car Accident Case

As a Hampton auto accident lawyer with nearly 15 years of experience, I understand how the legal system works and how to use available evidence to show how the crash changed your life.

I can help you gather and organize relevant evidence, such as:

• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Medical records
• Physical evidence from the accident scene

I also work with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists to investigate the cause of your crash and identify the at-fault party. Then, with this evidence, I will build a compelling case and present it to the negligent party’s insurance company or in court, if necessary.

Protecting Your Interests Before Insurance Companies

Never trust the insurance companies to have your best interests at heart! I was once on the side of insurance firms, defending their interests and the adjusters who handle their claims files. 

This valuable experience has given me insight into the inner workings of these corporations and enabled me to spot their dishonest practices. They are in the business of protecting their bottom lines, which means paying out as little as possible. This is where an attorney like me can help.

I won’t let insurance companies bully you into accepting a lowball settlement or denying your accident claim. Instead, as your legal representative, I will protect your interests, ensuring you receive maximum compensation.

Securing Damages for Your Accident-Related Losses

Accident victims are often overwhelmed by a car accident’s financial impact. You and your family may struggle to cover the medical bills for your physical recovery, the cost of property damage, and other expenses. However, with legal assistance, you can receive compensation to cover your financial losses.

Compensatory Damages

The goal of compensatory damages is to try and make the person “whole” again, or as close to whole as possible, after their accident. The hope is that compensatory damages can help you recover after a difficult and stressful experience.

I will establish the extent of your losses by gathering and presenting relevant evidence. In addition, I will document and present your case in the most compelling manner to maximize the damages awarded.

Some recoverable damages following a Hampton, VA, car accident case are outlined in the following table:

Compensatory Damages	Description	Evidence To Prove Damages
Medical expenses	Cover the cost of medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy.	Medical bills, receipts, and invoices from healthcare providers and pharmacies.
Lost wages	Compensation for any income lost due to the accident, including missed work days and reduced earning capacity.	Employment and salary records, tax returns, and testimony from the employer.
Property damage	Covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and other damaged property.	Estimates and receipts from repair shops.
Pain and suffering	Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash.	Medical records and testimony from the victim and their loved ones.
Disability	Compensation for any long-term or permanent disability resulting from the crash.	Medical records and testimony from medical experts.
Disfigurement	Compensation for any permanent scarring or disfigurement.	Photographs of the injuries, medical records, and testimony from medical experts.
Loss of enjoyment	Compensation for any loss of enjoyment of life, such as being unable to participate in certain activities.	Testimony from the victim and their loved ones and reports from mental health professionals.

Punitive Damages

Virginia awards punitive damages in a car crash case if the at-fault driver acts with reckless disregard for the plaintiff’s safety. These damages are intended to punish the at-fault driver and deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

While punitive damages are awarded only under specific circumstances, a classic example is a car crash caused by an intoxicated driver. 

For instance, under Virginia Code § 8.01-44.5, the plaintiff may receive punitive damages if the defendant knew or should have known that their driving ability is impaired by drinking and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or more.

Wrongful Death Damages

Losing a loved one in a fatal crash has a devastating impact on the lives of surviving family members. The pain and grief of an unexpected loss can be overwhelming and affect every aspect of daily life.

Throughout my legal practice, I have supported many clients through grief. I understand the weight of your loss and share your drive to seek justice. As a wrongful death lawyer serving Hampton, I offer compassionate legal guidance to help you recover damages.

Possible damages in a Virginia wrongful death case include:

• Loss of companionship
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of income and financial support from the deceased
• Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before death
• Medical expenses related to the deceased’s injury or illness before death.

Virginia Is an At-Fault State

It’s not easy to read state laws and grasp their implications if you aren’t an attorney.

Virginia follows a fault-based system for car accidents, which means that drivers at fault for causing the crash are held responsible for paying the resulting damages. Fault is determined based on the negligent actions of each driver involved in the collision.

Furthermore, Virginia is one of the few states that follow a pure contributory negligence doctrine. Under this system, you may not recover damages if your negligence contributed to the crash (regardless of the degree). In other words, the other party must be found 100% at fault for the motor vehicle accident, or you will be unable to collect financial compensation. 

Insurance providers heavily rely on this rule to justify denying auto accident claims. They may argue that you were partially responsible for causing the collision. However, I will diligently defend your rights as your auto accident attorney.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Under the Virginia Time Limit

Virginia’s statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits is the time you have to take legal action. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents in Virginia is generally two years from the accident date.

If you fail to file a lawsuit within two years of the crash, you may lose your right to pursue compensation. The same two-year time limit applies to most wrongful death cases.

There are, however, some exceptions to the statute of limitations, such as if the injured person is a minor or if the at-fault driver is a government employee. Therefore, I can determine the time limit for your case and if the deadline can be tolled.

Call Atkinson Law for a Free Car Accident Case Review

After a car crash, you might be overwhelmed by piling bills and uncertain where to turn for financial relief. As an experienced car accident lawyer, I can help you understand the recovery options and give you all the information you need for an informed decision.

While I am honored to serve as your legal guide, I also want to empower you to take an active role in your journey to recovery. I highly value client satisfaction and have built Atkinson Law‘s business model around it.

If you are looking for the legal services of a client-focused law firm, contact me today for a free, no-obligation consultation.