Portsmouth, VA Car Accident Lawyer
When drivers are at fault for a car accident that causes someone else to suffer injuries, they and their insurance companies are financially responsible for the costs of those injuries. A Portsmouth car accident lawyer could help you seek the compensation you need. Knowing how to get the most from all available insurers is a big part of what our lawyers do for our auto accident claimants.
Having someone deal with the insurance adjusters is one of the main benefits of working with an experienced lawyer. If we are unable to resolve your claims to your satisfaction through the insurance claims process, then you have a right to turn to the court system. A skilled personal injury attorney could help you throughout the litigation process.
How Does Duty of Care Apply to Car Wreck Cases?
In exchange for the privilege of being able to drive on public roads, motorists must avoid actions that may put others on the road at risk of harm. This duty of care extends to other drivers, pedestrians, bike riders, and their passengers.
This duty forms the basis of claims alleging negligence after accidents. If an injured party can demonstrate that a defendant’s poor driving violated this duty of care, this motorist may be liable to provide compensation for the plaintiff’s losses. A Portsmouth, VA attorney could review a car accident case to determine if a motorist breached their duty of care.
What are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in Portsmouth, VA?
The aftermath of motor vehicle crashes can be severe, leaving individuals with catastrophic or fatal injuries. As a result, injured parties may be able unable to work, may incur substantial medical bills, and may suffer from permanent impairments. Some of the common causes of car accidents in Portsmouth, Virginia include:
- Reckless driving in tunnels
- Distracted driving
- Violations of traffic laws, such as speeding, failing to yield and disobeying traffic signs and signals
- Head-on and rear-end collisions
- Side-impact collisions
These accidents can result in devastating injuries that may alter an individual’s life forever. From broken bones and concussions to spinal cord damage and other internal injuries, the costs of treatment are likely to be high, and the prognosis for a full recovery may be uncertain.
How Does a Traffic Ticket Impact a Civil Claim in Portsmouth, VA?
Many traffic collisions result in a police officer issuing a ticket to the party who they believe to be at fault. However, these drivers have the opportunity to contest these tickets in traffic court. The outcome of these cases could have a substantial effect on a person’s claim for damages.
A conviction in traffic court, or an admission of guilt, is direct evidence of fault for a crash. Civil courts can use negligence per se, to assume a defendant to be liable for an accident if they receive a conviction in traffic court for a ticket. A Portsmouth, VA attorney could leverage a traffic ticket as evidence in a civil car wreck claim for damages.
Seeking Compensation
Claims for personal injuries following a car wreck may include compensation for various harms and losses from the parties who are at fault. Losses related to bodily injuries may include:
- Medical, hospital, surgical, and rehabilitation costs
- Expenses for prescription medications and medical equipment
- Loss of wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and emotional trauma
Helping Claimants Deal with Insurance Companies
One of the most stressful parts of a car accident can be interacting with insurance companies. These companies may represent the injured party and the reckless motorist who is at fault. A plaintiff’s insurance company is mainly interested in collecting information about the collision. However, the defendant’s insurance company may have a different motive.
These companies may try to protect their profits by denying liability for the crash. A lawyer in Portsmouth, VA could help someone protect their car accident claim from an aggressive insurance company while working toward a more effective case.
Reach out to a Portsmouth, Virginia Car Accident Attorney Today
Injured motorists or the family members of those who died in a wreck both may have claims for damages against at-fault drivers or other parties who are responsible. A Portsmouth car accident lawyer could help you build a substantial claim for relief, based on the circumstances of your case.
When you suffer injuries that may leave you permanently hurt and unable to work for some time, you are likely to need compensation that you only can get from a personal injury claim. As the laws and rules concerning personal injury claims may be complicated, obtaining legal advice is important. Rather than trying to navigate the insurance claims system on your own, work with our team. Call us today for a free consultation to get started.