The aftermath of an injury can be catastrophic, especially for people who live paycheck to paycheck. The inability to work coupled with mounting medical expenses can be devastating. If another person caused your injury, you might be entitled to compensation for any resulting injuries and other damages.
The attorneys at Parrish Law Firm is here to help Dumfries accident victims understand their rights and options. Our Dumfries, VA, legal team will review your case to determine the most appropriate course of action, and we will help you seek the maximum compensation available to you.
How Our Dumfries Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC has extensive experience in all areas of personal injury law. We have worked tirelessly to obtain fair compensation for our clients in all types of personal injury cases, including those involving:
- Auto accidents, including drunk driving accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Dangerous and defective drugs
- Defective products
- Wrongful death
Hiring an attorney is a great first step to getting the compensation you deserve if you were injured due to another persons negligence. We can help you determine whether another party’s negligence caused your injuries.
Determining and Proving Fault in a Personal Injury Case
To recover compensation, you must first prove that another party or parties were at fault. In some situations, more than one party could be involved. Commercial trucking accidents are a good example; it is not uncommon for two or more parties to be at least partially responsible for a trucking accident.
Consider the following scenario: A truck driver crashes into another vehicle because he is fatigued. His fatigue could be the result of excessive working hours. Such a situation could implicate the trucking company. Faulty brakes could have also made the crash more serious than it would have otherwise been. The brakes manufacturer could also be responsible.
To prove liability, we must establish that four basic elements were present:
- The party in question owed you a duty of care: For example, another driver, who ran a red light and crashed into your car, owed you a responsibility to share the road responsibly.
- The party in question breached that duty: The at-fault driver was texting at the time of the accident.
- Due to this breach of duty, an accident or injury occurred: The other driver’s negligence caused the accident.
- You suffered damages: Due to the other driver’s negligence, you have mounting losses, such as medical expenses, “pain and suffering” and inconvenience, lost wages, and auto repair bills.
Let Us Deal with the Insurance Companies
Following any accident, the last thing you want to do is deal with insurance companies, paperwork, and gathering evidence. Fortunately, the Dumfries, VA, legal team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC is here to help. We will gather pertinent evidence – including police reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, and photographs – to help you strengthen your claim and position you for the most favorable outcome possible.
We will negotiate with insurers, so you do not have to! When personal injury victims deal directly with insurance companies, it is not uncommon for them to accept the first offer. But this is often a major mistake. You may be entitled to a significantly larger settlement. If the insurer refuses, we could take your case to court.
Jim Parrish has first-hand experience in the insurance world. He knows how insurers think. They will do everything they can to avoid paying your claim. Having an attorney with knowledge of the inner workings of big insurance companies is invaluable.
How Our Personal Injury Law Firm Takes Payments
Expenses for past and ongoing medical treatment, taking days or weeks off work, and other household bills can take a toll on your bank account. Retaining legal help can be expensive, so it may be the last thing you want to do. However, that shouldn’t be a concern with the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC on your side.
Because our team operates on a contingency-fee basis, we will finance your personal injury case from beginning to end. On top of that, we:
- Offer free, no-risk, no-obligation case reviews when you first call us
- Take no upfront, out-of-pocket, or hourly fees
- Don’t charge retainers
You only pay attorney’s fees if your lawyer settles or wins your case. Otherwise, no payment is due. That way, we limit your financial strain, leaving you to focus on your recovery without any added stress.
Dumfries Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Possible Types of Recovery in a Dumfries Personal Injury Case
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover losses due to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning potential
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
- Reduction in quality of life
If your loved one passed away from the accident, you have grounds to file a wrongful death claim and/or lawsuit against the liable party. Some available damages may be:
- Bills for burial or funeral arrangements
- End-of-life medical care expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of parental guidance or companionship
- Loss of household services
Your lawyer can review each of your losses and assess them accordingly. They may find that you are entitled to collect forms of compensation that are not mentioned here.
How Much Will I Receive?
Every personal injury case is unique. This category of law runs the gamut for car accidents to dog bites. This variety in case types translates to settlements. After filing a personal injury case, you may receive a few thousand or over a million dollars. These factors can impact the valuation of your case:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether you’re filing a wrongful death claim
- Your income before your injury
- Your age
- Whether your case involves a lawsuit
- The outcome of insurance negotiations or a lawsuit
Remember, our team can help you estimate a fair value for your case. You don’t need to go into settlement negotiations blind. If you’re offered a low-valuation settlement, we’ll know.
Time Is of the Essence When Fighting for Fair Compensation for Your Injuries
Va. Code § 8.01-243 states that you only have two years to file a lawsuit. If you have not settled or filed by that time, your window of opportunity may close permanently. The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC will meet all deadlines, so you can promptly receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
If you were injured, two years might seem like more than enough time to decide to settle outside of court or to bring a lawsuit. But those two years are wrought with deadlines and negotiations. Even a slight error can add months to the process. Further, memories fade, and evidence becomes more difficult to obtain with each passing day. The sooner, the better – and the less stressful.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Will I Need to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Lawsuits are less common than you might think. These are the ways that personal injury cases are typically settled:
Insurance Claims
Insurance claims rely on the responsible party carrying liability insurance. This type of insurance is designed to prevent a lawsuit. It works by providing a personal injury victim with a settlement. To secure a liability insurance claim, you must contact the insurer of the party that caused your injuries.
Liability claims are common after car accidents. In Virginia, drivers are required to carry the following liability limits:
- $30,000 in injury coverage for accidents involving a single victim
- $60,000 in injury coverage for accidents involving two or more victims
- $20,000 in property damage
Other potentially liable parties, like businesses, frequently carry liability insurance, too. Insurance claims are useful because they’re typically quicker and more cost-effective than a lawsuit.
An Out-of-Court Settlement
Out-of-court settlements typically occur after a lawsuit is filed. Here’s how this process works:
- You’re injured by a liable party
- You or your lawyer determine that an insurance claim is not an option
- You or your lawyer file a lawsuit against the liable party
- Both parties agree to settle the disagreement outside of court
Mediation is a common type of out-of-court settlement. During this process, both parties will convene with a third-party mediator. The mediator cannot make any final decisions about the case. However, they can work with both parties to come to an agreement. This approach is usually effective.
These are a few reasons you or your lawyer may opt for mediation instead of a trial:
- You’re hoping to save time or money; trials can be time-consuming and expensive
- You’d like to avoid the adversarial nature of trials
- Mediation is typically more private than trial
- Mediation allows both parties to communicate more effectively
Civil Trial
Some personal injury cases will necessitate a trial, though. Our team is prepared to take your case to court if needed. We can:
- Prepare you for standard courtroom procedures, like depositions
- Advise you on speaking in the courtroom
- Explain important legal terminology
- Act as your legal representative in the courtroom
- Fight for your rights before a judge and jury
Choosing which approach to take can be confusing. Victims often wonder what the best way to pursue a settlement is. During a case evaluation, we can explain what your legal options are. We won’t act without you agreeing to our preferred approach. Throughout your case, we’ll work as a team.
What It’s Like Working on Your Personal Injury Case with the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC
Our case outcomes reflect the way we handle personal injury cases. Take a look:
- $1.4 million after everyone in a vehicle was killed in a head-on collision
- $975,000 for our client who got hurt in a motorcycle crash
- $500,000 for a woman who needed neck surgery after getting injured in a tractor-trailer collision
- $300,000 after a retired veteran sustained permanent nerve damage to his right hand and arm after a pit bull attacked him
These four examples are just a handful of the many successful settlements or verdicts we have achieved for our clients. Alongside pursuing just compensation for them, we work to provide the best service throughout the entirety of their case. Check out what some of them said about their time with the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC:
“Attorney Jim is knowledgeable, helpful and spot on. He personally called me and took time to give me the legal advise that I needed, highly recommended.” – Junn C.
“A friend recommended him and words cannot express how kind and selfless Mr Parish and his firm have been to me and my family. When i needed an Attorney to speak to and get advice, he is always available…” – Lesly E.
“Mr. Parrish (Jim) was more than helpful. Not only does he know the law, he is a nice guy who cares. He always takes the time to answer questions, return calls, and respond to emails. I was relaxed throughout my case…” – Patrick S.
Contact Our Firm Today
If you suffered an injury in Prince William County, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries. You do not need to handle this process alone when help is available. At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we want to get you the compensation you deserve.
For a free and confidential consultation, contact our office today. Pay no lawyer’s fees unless and until your Dumfries personal injury lawyer reaches a financial outcome.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form