If you have been involved in a car accident in Virginia and suffered injuries, you’ll need to decide if you should hire an attorney or let the insurance company handle your claims. Hiring an attorney in Virginia to represent your interests can help protect your right to pursue compensation from the insurance company.
If you let the insurance company handle your car accident claims, they may offer you a settlement that does not account for the full extent of your damages. A car accident lawyer in Virginia can help you file a claim, protect your rights, and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company can result in a larger settlement amount.
Signs It May Be Time to Hire an Attorney
In most cases, we recommend hiring a Loudoun County car accident lawyer after you have received any necessary emergency medical care and before you have talked to the insurance company. This makes it easier for us to protect your right to compensation.
It is also a good idea to hire an attorney if:
- You are having difficulties paying your medical bills
- You need help having your car repaired or replaced
- The other driver’s insurance company wants access to your medical records
- The other driver’s insurance company wants you to make a recorded statement
- The other driver’s insurance company makes you a settlement offer that doesn’t cover your expenses
- The insurance company is denying or delaying payment of your claim
- The insurance company’s offer is very low
- Your accident resulted in a fatality
- Your accident occurred in a construction zone or involved a ride share vehicle and there may be third parties involved
- The police report generated after the accidents contains misstatements or incorrect information
- The other party has secured an attorney of their own
- You are unsure about your rights
- You have been in negotiations with your insurance company for too long a time
What a Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
A car accident attorney in Virginia can help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a car accident that resulted in injuries, damage, or fatalities. We will:
- Interview you regarding your case
- Gather evidence to support your claim such as medical records, police accident reports, etc.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Respond to requests from insurance companies
- Keep you informed about the status of your case
- Advise you regarding court hearings related to your accident
- Ensure that you identify and include all your expenses, both current and future
- Represent you in court if we need to file a lawsuit to pursue adequate compensation for your claim
A Lawyer Can Also Help Protect Your Right to File a Claim
In Virginia, there are three statutes of limitations that may apply after a car accident. Following Virginia Law 8.01-243, if you were injured in the accident and want to file a lawsuit, you must do so within two years of the date of the accident. If there was damage to a vehicle or other property, you have five years from the date of the accident to file. If the accident resulted in someone’s death, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the person’s death.
The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner they can begin collecting evidence and negotiating with the insurance company to cover your losses. Insurance companies have a team of professionals working for them. Hiring an attorney to represent you evens the playing field between you and the insurance company.
Our Goal is Getting You the Compensation You Deserve
If you are deciding between hiring an attorney or letting the insurance company handle your claims, remember that attorney Jim Parrish understands the insurance industry and the tactics they will use during personal injury cases. He represented insurance companies in the past and now represents car accident victims using the insights he gained along the way. He believes in protecting your rights. Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, for a free, no-cost case review today at 571-229-1800.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form