Richmond Car Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a car crash can have a massive impact on your life, especially if you suffer severe injuries. However, if a negligent driver caused the collision, a car accident attorney in Richmond, VA, can help you get back on your feet.

After a traumatic accident, I, Ed Atkinson, can help you rebuild your life with confidence. I understand that dealing with the legal aftermath of a car crash can feel overwhelming. However, as an experienced Richmond personal injury lawyer, I will handle your case so you can focus on your well-being. Call me today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

A Car Accident Lawyer Who Protects Your Interests Against Insurance Companies

While insurance adjusters may appear friendly, they aim to minimize payouts and increase company profits. They will delay or deny claims, hoping you will accept a lesser settlement out of frustration. Don’t fall into their trap; allow me to defend your interests.

As an experienced Richmond car accident attorney, I understand their tactics and will fight for the money you’re owed. My goal is to shield you from their pressure, allowing you to focus on recovering while I fight for the best possible outcome.

Once you have secured my services, the insurance company will no longer be allowed to contact you directly. By forcing them to deal with me instead, you will level the playing field, and I will be in a strong position to negotiate for a favorable settlement or take your case to court to get you the money you need for your accident claim.

Available Damages After a Car Crash in Richmond

A car accident can have a significant financial impact on you, causing many unexpected expenses. Medical bills can quickly add up, especially if you suffered permanent or severe injuries, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord damage. Additionally, you may experience income loss if your injuries prevent you from returning to work, leading to further financial strain.

Beyond physical injuries and property damage, car accidents can have a profound psychological impact. These emotional wounds can cast a dark shadow over you and your family. However, as an experienced car accident lawyer in Richmond, VA, I will also calculate these intangible losses and make sure you are paid for them.

As a car accident victim, you could claim the following damages:

• Medical expenses and the cost of future medical treatments
• Lost earnings and loss of future earning potential
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses like the cost of transportation to the hospital
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life

I will gather all the documents and evidence to prove the full extent of your accident-related losses. Leave your financial recovery up to me while you focus on healing.

You May Qualify for Punitive Damages

If the at-fault driver showed a conscious disregard for the safety of others, you may also be eligible for punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages that reimburse the victim for their losses, these punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.

Drunk driving accidents are a classic example of cases eligible for punitive damages. If the other driver had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15% or higher at the time of the crash, you could claim punitive damages.

It is important to note that Virginia law § 8.01-38.1 places a cap on the amount of recoverable punitive damages in a personal injury case. The limit is set at $350,000. As your lawyer, I will help you navigate this complex aspect of the law to get the most money possible.

A Lawyer Who Understands the Ramifications of Your Car Accident Case

I understand that each client’s situation is unique, and my approach involves a strategic analysis of the circumstances surrounding the crash and its long-term effects on the victim.

For example, if your child was injured as a passenger in a collision, I will closely collaborate with the parents to understand the full impact on their child’s life. As a parent, I empathize with the emotional turmoil you may experience and offer compassionate support.

When you work with my firm, you work with me. Unlike big box firms, where it can be difficult to get your lawyer on the phone, I am committed to providing my clients with a personalized approach and making myself readily available to help with whatever you need.

Take Legal Action After a Fatal Car Accident

Losing a loved one in a fatal traffic accident is a tragic experience. The sudden nature of such accidents creates a profound emotional shock, leaving the family in disbelief. Beyond the emotional toll, financial complications add further stress. Losing a loved one may mean losing financial support, leading to uncertainty about your family’s future.

As an experienced Richmond wrongful death lawyer, I understand you may be overwhelmed by grief and injustice. I aim to empower you to seek justice for your loved one and get fair compensation to protect your family’s financial security.

File a Claim Within Virginia’s Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations sets a specific time frame for filing a claim in court. According to Virginia law, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is generally two years.

Failing to file within this time limit can result in your case being barred, and you may no longer be able to pursue compensation. Seek legal counsel as soon as possible after the crash to protect your right to financial recovery.

Beyond ensuring you meet all applicable deadlines, getting started on your case as soon as possible can have additional benefits. The sooner you contact me, the more time I will have to build a strong evidence-based case on your behalf. Delays can cause critical physical evidence to become lost or degraded, and witness testimony becomes less reliable over time.

Contributory Negligence in Virginia

While most states allow accident victims to pursue compensation even if they were partially at fault for causing the accident, things work differently in Virginia. Virginia is one of four states with a contributory negligence rule that prevents anyone who shared in the fault for an accident to pursue compensation for their losses.

Because of the state’s contributory negligence law, it is critical that you secure the experienced legal counsel of a car accident attorney serving Richmond to help prove that you were faultless in your accident.

Establishing Negligence in a Richmond Car Accident Case

To pursue compensation following a car accident in Richmond, you will likely need to prove that your damages were caused by the negligence of another party. There are four elements that must be established to prove negligence:

• Duty of care
• Breached duty of care
• Damages
• Causation

I can help you prove these four elements were present in your case so you can recover the compensation you need and deserve.

Duty of Care

The first thing you must show is that the liable party owed you a duty of care. A duty of care is a responsibility to another party to behave in a reasonable manner to ensure their safety. In most cases, establishing the existence of a duty of care is simple.

When filing a claim against the driver of another vehicle involved in a crash, their duty of care to you is evident, as anyone who gets behind the wheel owes everyone else on the road a duty of care to operate their vehicle responsibly.

Alternatively, if you are pursuing compensation from a vehicle manufacturer after a crash caused by a manufacturing defect, these companies owe a duty of care to their customers and anyone that might cross paths with their vehicles to use reliable materials and conduct thorough safety tests to ensure the vehicles they are putting on the road are safe to drive.

Breached Duty of Care

The next step in proving negligence is showing that the responsible party violated their duty of care.

Using the example of the driver of another vehicle, I can help prove that they were operating their car in an unsafe manner. Common violations of their duty of care I can help prove include showing that they were:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Texting while driving

For a case against a vehicle manufacturer, I will work to prove that they cut corners in the manufacturing process or faked the results of their safety tests.

Damages

Proving that you incurred damages related to your accident is the next step in establishing negligence. I will use your medical records from after your accident, along with the medical bills you incurred, to establish your damages.

Causation

The final step is showing how everything connects. As I build your case, I will show how the at-fault party violating their duty of care directly led to the damages you incurred.

Working on a Contingency Basis

When you hire me to represent you following a car accident, you will never have to worry about receiving a bill for legal services that you can’t afford to pay. Rather than charging a large fee to retain my services or a high hourly rate, I will only get paid if I am able to secure compensation on your behalf.

After recovering money on your behalf, I will collect a single fee, paid directly out of the money you collect, at a fixed percentage. With this payment system, you will never have to worry about paying any money out of your own pocket.

By charging clients on a contingency fee basis, I am able to offer experienced legal representation to all accident victims, regardless of their financial means. You can also be confident that I will do everything in my power to get you the money you need since I don’t get paid for my services unless I get you compensation from the liable party.

Call Atkinson Law for a Free Case Evaluation With an Experienced Richmond Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with physical injuries and emotional trauma can leave car accident victims vulnerable. Let me, Ed Atkinson, help you to fight for financial recovery. As your Richmond car accident attorney, I will help explain how Virginia law impacts your case and review your options so you can make an informed decision.

I want injury victims to feel supported and valued throughout their legal journey. Contact me today by giving me a call or completing my online contact form to discuss your case through a free case evaluation.