Newport News Personal Injury Lawyer

Surviving an accident can be a traumatic experience for you and your family. It goes beyond the emotional impact and physical injuries. You might also face an uphill battle with insurance companies or the at-fault party to recover your losses. Don’t handle the legal aftermath alone; team up with a personal injury lawyer in Newport News, VA, to rebuild your life.

I understand the many challenges injury victims in Virginia face after an accident. My name is Ed Atkinson, and I have over 15 years of experience protecting injured victims. As your personal injury attorney, I will fight for maximum compensation. Call my law firm today for a free legal consultation.

Types of Cases My Personal Injury Law Firm Handles

While different types of events can lead to a personal injury case, they all share a common element: harm to an individual. Whether you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident or a slip and fall, the incident was likely caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another party.

In my extensive legal career, I’ve represented clients injured under various circumstances. Tackling tough problems has enabled me to create successful strategies that I can tailor to your specific case.

As a personal injury attorney, I handle a wide variety of cases and represent clients in Newport News as a:

• Car accident lawyer
• Motorcycle accident lawyer
• Truck accident lawyer
• Brain injury lawyer
• Wrongful death lawyer

Even if you or a loved one were hurt in a different type of incident, I may be able to help. During our initial consultation, I will review the details of your case and determine whether you have a valid claim. If you do, we can decide together how to move forward.

I Will Negotiate With Insurance Companies for Maximum Compensation

Insurance companies are not your friends; they are profit-driven businesses. While they may advertise themselves as your protectors in times of need, their main goal is to minimize payouts and maximize their profit.

Insurance adjusters are trained to reduce the compensation you receive. They may downplay the extent of your injuries, dispute liability, or undervalue damages. Don’t be misled; these adjusters are not on your side.

As an experienced personal injury lawyer, I am familiar with the tactics used by claim adjusters. Rest assured, I am ready to counter their every move. Your well-being is non-negotiable, and I am here to secure a fair settlement. If the insurance company won’t cooperate, I’ll bring your case to court.

Available Damages to Injured Victims in Newport News

An accident can have a strong and long-lasting financial impact on your life. You may face extensive property damage and steep medical bills. Furthermore, a severe injury might prevent you from earning a living for yourself and your family.

As an injured victim, you could receive different damages, including:

• Property damage
• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Bodily injuries
• Disfigurement and any associated embarrassment
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Physical pain and mental anguish

I understand the difficulty these injuries can cause. As your lawyer, I will calculate how much money you have spent after the accident and how much more you can expect to spend in the future. Using this information, I will file a detailed claim that clearly states your losses.

As an experienced personal injury lawyer, I know that some of my clients are recovering from catastrophic injuries like spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Your physical condition should not prevent you from receiving quality legal help. Whether you are healing at a hospital or at home, I will travel to meet you in person or conduct an online meeting in the comfort of your home.

Your Personal Injury Case May Be Eligible for Punitive Damages

Punitive damages punish the responsible party for their actions and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct. Usually, you must prove that the defendant’s behavior showed a conscious disregard for your safety.

You can receive punitive damages if you were injured in a drunk driving accident. You could be eligible by statute when the reckless driver had a high blood alcohol content (BAC), but also by common law if the BAC is lower.

If the drunk driver had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15% or if they unreasonably refused a BAC test, their actions show an unlawful disregard for your rights, as per Code of Virginia § 8.01-44.5, and you should be entitled to punitive damages.

Virginia limits the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded. The most you can receive for punitive damages is $350,000 (on top of your economic and non-economic damages). Despite this limitation, I will pursue every avenue to make sure you get the maximum compensation available.

Negligence in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Negligence refers to the failure of an individual to exercise the level of care expected of a reasonable person in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another party. This legal concept helps determine who must pay for the resulting damages.

I will focus on four main elements to prove negligence in a personal injury case:

• Duty of care: This refers to the legal responsibility of one party to protect the safety of another individual. For instance, drivers must adhere to traffic regulations and operate their vehicles in a manner that ensures the safety of others on the road.
• Breach of duty: The duty of care is breached when the responsible party fails to fulfill their duty of care. An example would be a driver disregarding a red light or exceeding the speed limit, thereby violating their obligation to drive cautiously.
• Causation: There is a direct link between the breach of duty and the injuries sustained. Simply demonstrating the other party’s negligence is not enough; we must establish a clear connection between their actions and your injuries.
• Damages: Lastly, to prove your claim, we must demonstrate tangible losses resulting from the accident.

In my role as your personal injury attorney in Newport News, I will investigate the accident scene and use all accessible evidence to prove negligence. Rest assured, I will build your case upon a solid foundation of factual information.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Within Virginia’s Statute of Limitations

After a difficult medical recovery, you might wonder how long you have to file a claim against the at-fault party. The Virginia statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits generally sets a two-year deadline from the date of the accident, as per the Code of Virginia § 8.01-243. If you don’t meet this time limit, you could jeopardize your right to receive maximum damages.

Time is of the essence in all personal injury cases. As time passes, witnesses forget details of the event, and physical evidence can get damaged or lost. Call me as soon as you can after the accident so I can access evidence while it’s fresh. By taking this step, you strengthen your case and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

The Benefits of Working With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Newport News

Dealing with the insurance company or filing a car accident lawsuit as you are recovering from your injuries can be intimidating. But it does not have to be. I want to empower you to fight for justice. As your attorney, I will tell you everything you need to know to make decisions about your claim.

The advantages of hiring an experienced Newport News personal injury lawyer include:

• In-depth knowledge of personal injury laws.
• Access to resources such as expert witnesses.
• Ability to accurately assess the value of your claim.
• Negotiation skills to secure fair compensation from insurance companies.
• Representation in court if a trial becomes necessary.
• Guidance throughout the entire legal proceedings.
• Increased likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome in your case.

I started my own law firm to offer more personalized legal help to my clients. As your lawyer, I’ll listen to your story to learn how the accident affected you. Then, we’ll work together to figure out an effective legal plan to recover your losses.

The Right Newport News Personal Injury Attorney to Increase Your Claim’s Value

Establishing my own personal injury law firm gave me the freedom to redefine legal services. Unlike larger firms, I offer a personalized approach for each client I represent, recognizing the uniqueness of every claim.

At Atkinson Law, your case is more than a number; I genuinely care about your struggle and want to help rebuild your life. I keep a smaller caseload so I can dedicate more time and attention to each client. My winning track record proves my dedication to fighting for justice.

Contact Atkinson Law Today for a Free Case Evaluation

I believe that building a solid client-lawyer relationship is a continuous process rooted in trust and open communication. From the initial consultation to ongoing discussions throughout your case, I want to understand your needs, concerns, and goals.

At Atkinson Law, attorney-client relationships are strengthened over time, not at the beginning of the trial. I’m not just your advocate in the courtroom; I’m here for you every step of the way. As your Newport News personal injury attorney, I will make sure that your voice is heard. Contact me today to share your story.