Car Accident Lawyer Falls Church, VA

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Car Accident Lawyer Falls Church, VA

Car Accident Lawyer Falls Church, VANo one anticipates being in a car accident, yet most people will be involved in a car accident at least once in their lives. It may be something as small as a fender bender in a parking lot or as big as a multiple-vehicle collision on a major highway. The amount of damage that takes place in a car accident generally determines whether the police and insurance companies need to become involved. You might be involved in a small fender bender in a parking lot, determine that there was only a small dent in the vehicle, and make arrangements with the other driver to pay for the expenses out of pocket. However, for more serious accidents, you may want to call your insurance company, the police, or even a lawyer. If you have questions, speaking with a car accident lawyer Falls Church, VA residents trust may be a good option for you. Call the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation. 

What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me With?

A car accident lawyer can help you in many areas when dealing with a car accident. First and foremost they will work to get you the compensation you need to cover costs like car repairs, car replacement, medical bills, and lost income. They will also help you seek compensation for any pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of the accident. A lawyer will examine your case to determine whether you were at fault for the accident. In some car accident cases, the other party or their insurance company will try to blame you for the accident. If you were not at fault, your lawyer will gather evidence, help you understand your rights, and provide you with the knowledge you need to legally protect yourself. If you have questions about your rights, you should call an experienced Falls Church, VA car accident lawyer from a firm like the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLL. 

In an ideal world, insurance companies would properly compensate you for your damages. However, this often is not the case. The insurance company may make you feel like there is nothing you can do but accept their low offer, but a skilled lawyer knows otherwise. They will investigate the accident, gather all of the relevant evidence, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf, and, if necessary, represent you in court. Many claims are without having to go to court. Insurance companies are more likely to offer a higher settlement amount if you have retained the services of a car accident lawyer. But if you aren’t able to reach a number you can agree on and your claim goes to court, a lawyer will fight for you every step of the way. Their knowledge of the law will be invaluable in supporting your case. At the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC we have the experience needed to help you with your case. Call us now to set up a free and confidential appointment with Ryan Quinn. 

Common Myths About Car Accidents

Car accidents happen on a daily basis on Virginia roadways, yet there is still a lot of misinformation about them. It is important to learn the facts about these accidents to file a proper claim. Here are the most common myths about car accidents that you shouldn’t believe.

  • Minor car accidents don’t cause injuries. If you were in a fender bender and felt fine, you might assume that you’re not injured. However, even minor car accidents can cause whiplash and other injuries. That’s why you should always get immediate medical attention following a vehicle collision. A doctor will give you a proper examination and recommend the appropriate treatment.
  • If I have a preexisting condition, I can’t recover compensation. This is another common myth that many still believe. Although insurance companies may want you to believe this, you shouldn’t. If your preexisting condition gets aggravated by an injury sustained in a car accident, you are eligible to receive compensation.
  • I don’t need a car accident lawyer. Many people assume that the claims process after a car accident will be straightforward and fair. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. Insurance companies care about the bottom line first and may try to devalue your claim. That is why it is important to have a skilled car accident lawyer in Falls Church, VA on your side. He or she will handle negotiations with the insurance company and improve your chances of a fair settlement.
  • If you hit a vehicle from behind, the accident is definitely your fault. Rear-end collisions are frequently the fault of the driver who hits the rear end of another vehicle, but not always. For instance, if the vehicle in front does not have working brake lights, you may not notice if the other driver is slowing down or stopping. In this situation, the leading driver would likely be at least partially at-fault.
  • I am required to give a statement to the insurance company. This is false. You’re under no obligation to provide a statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In fact, it is in your best interest to avoid making a statement. They may try to misconstrue what you say in an attempt to devalue your claim. Tell the insurance company to refer to your car accident lawyer.

How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Claim

A car accident lawyer Falls Church, VA families trust understands that being injured in a car accident can be life-altering. Depending on the severity of the injuries, recoveries can take months. Many victims we help at the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC are left with chronic and permanent disabilities that require long-term medical treatment and result in other expenses – sometimes for the rest of the victim’s life.

While your first instinct after being injured in a crash might be to wait and see the full extent of your injuries and how long it will take to heal, you also want to make sure you do not wait too long. This is because there is a statute of limitations on how long victims have to file a claim.

Statute of Limitations

Every state has set its own laws that stipulate how long a victim has to file a personal injury claim. In Virginia, that time limit is two years, although there are some exceptions to that rule. For example, if the at-fault driver works for a government entity, there is an entirely different process to filing a car accident claim and you only have months to declare your intent to pursue for damages.

Your Falls Church car accident lawyer can evaluate your case and determine what the statute is in your case.

If the victim is a minor, a parent or legal guardian may file the claim on behalf of the child, but that claim must be filed within two years. However, because Virginia law says that minors do not have the legal capacity to file a lawsuit (until they are of legal age of 18), the statute of limitations is tolled (put on hold) and the child can file a personal injury claim within two years of turning 18, as long as their parents had not filed one when the crash occurred.

What Can I Be Compensated For?

There are a variety of expenses you may be able to pursue in your car accident claim. These include all medical expenses, loss of income if you are unable to work while you recover, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability.

Five Considerations Unique to Work-Related Accidents

Connecting with a car accident lawyer Falls Church, VA residents trust is important in the wake of any injurious crash. However, it’s particularly important to schedule a consultation with The Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC swiftly if your accident was work-related. You may be eligible for benefits that aren’t available for injury victims who have been hurt in crashes that weren’t work-related, but securing these benefits is a time-sensitive process.

One: You May Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you are employed as either a full-time or part-time worker and your car crash was work-related, a reputable Falls Church car accident lawyer at our firm may be able to help you secure significant workers’ compensation benefits as a result of your harm. These benefits can reimburse you for medical costs, lost wages incurred during your recovery, and limited additional losses.

Two: You May Be Owed Multiple Compensation Types

You may be in a position to file an insurance claim, pursue personal injury damages, and/or apply for workers’ compensation benefits, depending upon the circumstances surrounding your accident. Personal injury damages are only awarded in injurious crashes caused by another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally dangerous conduct. Workers’ compensation benefits are awarded on a no-fault basis. So, if your crash was both work-related and caused (partially or totally) by another party, you may be in a position to secure multiple kinds of compensation.

Three: You May Not Be Empowered to Sue Your Employer

Because workers’ comp is a no-fault system, employers who pay into this system are generally shielded from liability in the event that their employees sustain work-related injuries or illness. This essentially means that while you can sue others for their contributions to the cause(s) of your harm, if your crash was work-related and you’re eligible for workers’ comp benefits, you can’t name your employer as a defendant in your lawsuit.

Four: You Likely Need an Attorney’s Help

The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim is theoretically meant to be so straightforward that workers shouldn’t ordinarily need help with submitting an application for benefits. However, accidents that occur away from traditional worksites are often complex situations that require different kinds of supporting evidence. As a result, trying to submit a workers’ comp benefits application without assistance from an attorney can lead to rejection, undervaluation, or delay of your claim. Due to these frustrating realities, it’s generally a good idea to work with an attorney on your application proactively.

Five: You Need to Act Fast

Connect with The Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC today if your crash was work-related. Why the rush? The workers’ comp system is notoriously time-conscious. If you don’t take specific steps within a certain number of days after your accident, you may be barred from recovering the compensation you’re rightfully owed. A Falls Church car accident lawyer can help to secure what you deserve but you need to act fast to protect your rights and preserve your ability to receive a fairly valued workers’ compensation benefits award.

Five Considerations Unique to Work-Related Accidents Infographic

Five Considerations Unique to Work-Related Accidents

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have been in a car accident, it is beneficial to consult a car accident lawyer Falls Church, VA clients trust to get questions answered about your specific situation. However, here are five of the questions we get asked most often:

  • What should I do if I am in a car accident? 

If you are in a car accident, the first and most important thing is to take care of yourself and make sure you are ok. If you are in the middle of the road, move to the side if you are able. Immediately call 911 as soon as you are in a safe place. After calling first responders, assuming you are not seriously injured, you can begin to trade information with the other driver, such as their name, insurance information, contact information and license plate number. If you can, take photos of the damage done to both vehicles and any injuries you may have. When the police arrive, accurately describe what happened, but do not admit fault.

  • When should I contact a car accident lawyer? 

We recommend contacting your Falls Church car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident so that your memory of the event is fresh in your mind and in the minds of witnesses. That being said, it might take a few days for you to contact a lawyer, so in the meantime take note of the amount of time you are missing from work, any medical bills or diagnosis you may have received, a list of possible witness and contact information as well as any other information that may be important to your case.

  • Can I be reimbursed for future medical expenses?

Yes, you can sue for medical issues when filing a lawsuit after an accident. A Falls Church car accident lawyer will be able to help you accurately estimate how much you should be reimbursed, being sure to take into consideration future medical expenses that may result from your injuries.  Having a medical diagnosis can help with this assessment be sure to request copies of all medical documentation from your post-accident appointments and any specialists you may have seen. Sometimes such documentation will include recommendations for physical therapy or ongoing chiropractic treatments.

  • How much insurance coverage do I need to drive in Virginia?

In Virginia, you are required to have a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury, $50,000 for total body injury or death, and $20,000 for property damage. You are always able to purchase insurance that will cover you above this amount, but this is the amount required by law.  If you are especially concerned about this, you also have the option to purchase uninsured motorist insurance coverage.

  • What if I get hit by an uninsured driver? 

If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, you can directly sue the at fault driver. Driving uninsured in Virginia carries a steep penalty, even without an accident. On top of the damages you sue for, the uninsured driver may be convicted of a Class 3 misdemeanor and receive up to a $500 fine. Furthermore, it is possible their driver’s license could be confiscated and possibly their vehicle registration and license plates as well.

If you have been in a car accident, chances are you still have more questions. Do not worry! The Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC have extensive experience with car accident law and can be reached anytime, a day or night through our live call answering service. And the best news is, we offer a free consultation! Schedule one today to get your questions answered.

Falls Church Car Accident Law Statistics

According to a scientific study conducted by researchers from the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, between 21 and 67 percent of vehicle accident survivors experience depressive moods, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Almost half of the survivors experience anxiety and driving phobia after the accident.

Call Our Office Today

Filing a car accident claim can be complex, especially if the victim has suffered serious injuries. It is standard practice of insurance companies to try to minimize the compensation they pay a victim or deny the victim’s claim completely. It is very common for insurance adjusters to even tell victims that they do not need a lawyer in order to settle claims.

Before you even speak with the insurance company, it is best to speak to a Falls Church car accident lawyer to find out what your legal options are, including what type of financial compensation you really are entitled to. Contact the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC today to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We will get you the financial compensation you deserve.