Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer

Being in an accident can be terrifying, especially if you are unsure how to protect your rights. However, you don’t have to face this difficult period alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Virginia Beach, VA, will help you take the right steps to maximize the value of your claim.

If you were hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you could claim compensation. I, Ed Atkinson, understand that the legal process following an accident can easily become overwhelming, which is why I offer compassionate legal guidance. I have over 15 years of experience protecting the rights of injury victims. Call me today for a free case evaluation.

Do You Qualify for a Personal Injury Claim?

Different types of events can form the basis of a personal injury case, including motor vehicle accidents and medical errors. While the details may change, these incidents are usually caused by the recklessness or negligence of another person or company.

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

• Car accident lawyer
• Truck accident lawyer
• Motorcycle accident lawyer
• Dog bite lawyer
• Boating accident lawyer
• Medical malpractice lawyer
• Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer
• Child injuries lawyer
• Wrongful death lawyer

Under Virginia law, victims have a right to hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions and seek fair compensation to cover all their losses. This legal framework allows injured parties to rebuild their lives after an accident.

Throughout my extensive legal career, which spans over a decade, I have served clients in various personal injury matters. Dealing with different situations and solving unique problems has helped me become a highly resourceful advocate for my clients.

If you or a loved one were hurt under different circumstances, you may still be able to receive damages. During our free initial consultation, I will review the specific details of your case and evaluate your options to take legal action.

How to Prove Negligence in Your Personal Injury Case

Negligence means that someone fails to act with the care that a reasonable person would have in a similar situation, causing someone else to get hurt. This concept is central to personal injury cases because it helps determine who is responsible for the accident and who should pay for the resulting damages.

To prove negligence after your accident, I will focus on these main factors:

• Duty of care: The other party had a legal obligation to act in a certain way to ensure your safety. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely.
• Breach of duty: The at-fault party failed to meet their duty of care. An example would be a driver running a red light or speeding, which violates their responsibility to drive safely.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries. It’s not enough to show that the other party was careless; you must link their specific actions to the harm you suffered.
• Damages: Finally, you need to show that you suffered actual losses or injuries as a result of the accident.

As your personal injury lawyer in Virginia Beach, I will investigate the accident scene and use all available evidence to determine negligence. I am also very interested in your account of the incident; the more details you can tell me, the stronger I can build your claim.

Available Compensation to Personal Injury Victims

A personal injury accident can have a devastating financial impact. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may face expensive medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. These expenses will quickly drain your savings.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to pay for everything. Pursuing a personal injury claim is not just about seeking justice; it’s about securing the compensation you need to reclaim your life.

Types of damages you could receive through a personal injury claim include:

• Bodily injuries
• Physical pain and mental anguish
• Disfigurement
• Medical expenses and the cost of future medical treatments
• Lost earnings and lessening of earning capacity
• Property damage

The value of your claim is determined by multiple factors that measure the injury’s impact on your life. Key factors include the extent of your injuries, medical expenses, and the degree of negligence shown by the at-fault party. As an experienced personal injury lawyer, I will determine and prove the full extent of your losses.

Possible Punitive Damages in Personal Injury Cases

Punitive damages are awarded in Virginia for certain personal injury cases when the liable party’s actions show an unlawful disregard for the victim’s rights. These damages punish the defendant and discourage others from behaving similarly.

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, your case will likely qualify for punitive damages. You could be eligible by statute if the driver has a high blood alcohol content (BAC), but also by common law when the BAC is lower if they engaged in extremely reckless behavior.

Under Code of Virginia § 8.01-44.5, if the driver had a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of 0.15% or more, their actions show a conscious disregard for the safety of others. You could also qualify for punitive damages if the driver unreasonably refuses to submit to a BAC test.

Code of Virginia § 8.01-38.1 limits the available punitive damages for a case. Thus, you could get up to $350,000 in punitive damages. In addition to this, you could recover more money through other forms of compensation. As your Virginia Beach drunk driving accident lawyer, I will explore all your options for financial help.

Effectively Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies intentionally complicate the claims process to discourage you from seeking compensation. Adjusters, while they may act friendly, are not your friends. They will try to diminish the value of your claim, blame you for what happened, or deny your claim. Ultimately, they protect the insurance company’s profits at your expense.

As an experienced Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer, I am familiar with claim adjusters’ tactics to minimize payouts. I will block their efforts and help you receive the compensation you are owed. If they fail to agree to a fair and full settlement, I will continue fighting for your interests in court.

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

Under the Code of Virginia § 8.01-243, victims generally have a two-year window to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to take legal action within this period will likely result in losing your right to pursue a claim.

Time is of the essence in all personal injury cases, so I treat all claims with urgency. The sooner you reach out to me, the more time I can spend strengthening your case. After I review the details of your claim, I can determine how much time you have to take legal action under Virginia’s statute of limitations.

The Benefits of Hiring a Virginia Beach Personal Injury Attorney

Dealing with insurance adjusters or taking legal action when you are recovering from injuries can be overwhelming without legal support. An experienced Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer can simplify the process.

There are many advantages to working with an attorney on your personal injury claim, including:

• Personalized legal advice
• Free claim evaluation
• Skilled negotiation with insurers
• Thorough investigation of the accident
• Proper documentation and filing
• Representation in court
• Maximizing compensation

I believe that everyone should have equal access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial background. This is why I work on a contingency fee basis. You only have to pay me if I win your case, and you will pay a percentage of the settlement or award you receive. We will agree on a percentage before we get started.

A Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer With a Personalized Approach

I established my own law firm to provide a more personalized legal representation to my clients. As your lawyer, I will take the time to listen to your experience and understand the different ways the accident changed your life. Together, we will identify the legal strategy that best serves your needs.

I understand that many accident survivors suffer from catastrophic injuries that make it impossible to travel. However, this should not prevent you from receiving quality legal care. Whether you’re recovering at home or in a hospital, I will travel to your location so we can talk in person. I can also meet online and have you sign my representation forms electronically.

Call Atkinson Law for a Free Personal Injury Case Review

What sets my personal injury law firm apart from others is the care and personal attention I invest in each case. Open communication is the foundation of effective legal representation, so I prioritize building strong client relationships. Atkinson Law offers premium legal services.

My commitment to personalized advocacy ensures you feel heard and empowered throughout the legal process. As your Virginia Beach personal injury attorney, I will tailor my legal strategies to your needs. Contact me today to discuss your case.