Suffolk, VA Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Catastrophic injuries are a label reserved for the most life-changing, severe injuries imaginable. Any injury can be capable of interrupting your daily routines, but catastrophic injuries are often permanent.

A Suffolk, VA catastrophic injury lawyer could help you make sure you have the resources you need to survive following a serious injury caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness. An experienced attorney from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can bring a claim for compensation against the responsible party on your behalf. By working with a dedicated injury attorney, you can have an advocate working to make sure your claim for compensation is successful.

How Do Catastrophic Injuries Happen? 

Unfortunately, catastrophic injuries occur every day in Suffolk, Virginia area. Traffic accidents such as car wrecks, motorcycle collisions, and truck crashes are major sources of catastrophic injuries. When two cars collide head-on, or when one driver is broadsided by another, the resulting injuries could be serious. Unfortunately, when these collisions occur at high-speeds, drivers and passengers may be left with serious brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe skeletal injuries.

Truck wrecks can be even more catastrophic. Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow additional regulations to make sure they are keeping the roads safe. When they fail to do so, they can cause major collisions that can leave anyone involved seriously injured. If this happens, you could bring a claim against the responsible party whether that is a truck driver who skipped a federally-mandated break or a trucking company that engaged in unsafe practices. A life-changing injury attorney in Suffolk, Virginia could review the causes of your injury to determine whether you have a viable claim. 

Timeline for Taking Action

Each state establishes a timeline for legal action following personal injuries. In legal documents, this time period is referred to as the statute of limitations. Per Virginia Code 8.01-243, the statute of limitations in most catastrophic injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. Essentially, you have two years from the day of the incident to file a lawsuit. But, if the lawsuit is filed before the statute runs, the claim does not need to reach a conclusion in that time period. 

Catastrophic injuries are incredibly serious, and no matter the level of negligence on the part of the defendant, your rights are extinguished after the after the statute of limitations expires. Reaching out early can help a catastrophic accident lawyer in Suffolk, VA make sure you meet this deadline. 

Recoverable Damages in Suffolk, VA

Damages can be categorized as compensatory or punitive in Virginia. Compensatory damages are based on actual losses suffered. These damages can be further broken down into economic and non-economic subcategories. 

Economic damages refer to measurable financial losses. These can be medical bills, time off work, and other fees and expenses. Non-economic damages, however, are intangible losses caused by the injury. Some non-economic damages include compensation for mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. 

Alternatively, punitive damages are not based on real losses. Instead, they are meant to punish the defendant. When the liable party exercised no caution or prudence, punitive claims might be considered. However, punitive damages are relatively rare, making it important to consult with an attorney.

Get Help from a Suffolk, VA Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Catastrophic injuries involve dramatic and sometimes irreversible damage. If you suffered an injury of this degree, you might be entitled to damages under Virginia law. It is important you seek representation from a Suffolk, VA catastrophic injury lawyer when dealing with these claims. An attorney can help determine who is at fault, bring appropriate damage claims, and secure expert opinions necessary to support a claim. Call us today for a free consultation to get started on your claim.