When Should I Contact a Virginia Car Accident Attorney?
When Should I Contact a Virginia Car Accident Attorney?
Q: I was recently involved in a car accident in Virginia. The other driver was at fault. When is a good time to contact a car accident attorney?
A: You should contact a Virginia car accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the better because you will still have the accident fresh in your mind. You will be able to share more details of the accident with the attorney and he/she can do a better investigation of your case.
Although time is of the essence, you don’t want to rush into hiring an attorney either. There are many types of attorneys. You want to hire someone who specializes in car accidents. Here is an article that offers some tips on how to choose a car accident lawyer.
You don’t have to contact an attorney about your car accident. However, if you are not familiar with Virginia car accident laws or you do not want to deal with the insurance adjuster, it may be better to consult with an attorney.
At O’Bryan Law Firm, we have helped many people in the Richmond, Virginia area with their car accident cases. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies to get the money you are entitled to. Contact us today at 1-800-372-4099.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Richmond, VA?
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Q: I was hit by another car and the driver fled the scene. Can I still file a personal injury claim in the state of Virginia?
A: If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident – whether you were hit by a car, truck, motorcycle, or other type of motor vehicle – you can still file a personal injury claim. It’s important to file a report with local police first. You should provide police with information so that they can catch the suspect.
At first there may be nobody to hold responsible for the accident. This is why it is important to speak with a Virginia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can help protect your rights because you are still entitled to compensation for any damages and injuries. A lawyer may also be able to help with the investigation to find the person who hit you.
In the meantime, you can file a claim with your own insurance policy under the uninsured motor coverage. The problem with this is that insurance adjusters will try to deny coverage. They may also try to limit the amount that you can recover. This is another reason why hiring a personal injury lawyer is so important.
Are you or a loved one the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Virginia? Contact the O’Bryan Law Firm to help you with your case.
How Can a Virginia Personal Injury Attorney Help You?
There are so many people who receive less than they deserve from a personal injury claim because they are not familiar with the claims process and how insurance companies work. As an injury victim, you have rights to recover compensation for your pain and suffering to ensure that you can continue living a healthy life long after the accident.
If you’ve endured serious injuries, it may be highly beneficial to seek the help of an experienced and knowledgeable Virginia personal injury attorney who can make the process of filing a personal injury claim much easier in addition to helping you receive a fair settlement.
There are several ways that an attorney can help you:
- An experienced attorney has access to resources that you may be unaware of. For example, if you are involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit, an attorney can help you find an expert medical witness to bring in if the case goes to court.
- An attorney can do all the investigative legwork and information gathering that pertains to your case such as medical records, police reports, and doctors’ notes.
- Have no idea what your case is worth? An experienced attorney will know what you’re legally entitled to. The last thing you want is for the insurance company to take advantage of your lack of knowledge.
- Remember that insurance companies will do their best to give you the least amount possible, so negotiating with the insurance companies can be tricky and full of hassles. The negotiating skills of an attorney can go a long way, especially when attempting to recover a high dollar amount.
When looking for a Virginia personal injury attorney, make sure to do your research. With the technology we have today, you can easily do an internet search to find reviews for an attorney that you’re interested in hiring. Also, ask friends, neighbors, or co-workers for referrals.
When you do sit down with an attorney, spend some time talking about the case and gauge your comfort level with the interaction. Go with your gut and don’t let anyone pressure you to do business with them.
Don’t underestimate the services of a personal injury attorney. Although you could essentially file a personal injury claim yourself, the process can be long and tedious. Do you realistically have the time to deal with an insurance adjuster who will probably give you the run around and attempt to discredit your claim?
What You Post on Social Media May Be Used Against You in a Court of Law
You would hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a Facebook or Twitter account these days. People love to share their thoughts, post what they’re doing that day, and share pictures with their friends. However, did you know that what you publish on these social media sites can be used against you in a court of law?
Let’s say, for instance, that someone was a victim in a bad car accident and claimed severe back injuries that supposedly were due to this accident. However, the Facebook or Twitter page of this person shows pictures of him/her riding roller coasters, skiing, and other activities that a person normally would not do with a back injury. Even if this person had set their Facebook page to “private”, meaning only his/her friends could see postings, a judge can order disclosure of the Facebook password to gain access to any postings.
In regards to Twitter, all information posted to this site is available to the public and can be seen by anyone. During the discovery phase of a trial, the other side could site any tweets to be included in evidence. Even what you may perceive to be a fun, innocent post on a social media site may be used to paint a picture of you in a negative way. This is what happened to Isaiah Lester.
Lester was involved in a tragic car accident with a truck that left his wife, Jessica Lester, dead while he suffered minor injuries. The couple were traveling on State Route 53 when they were hit by a truck driven by William Sprouse who was working for Allied Concrete Co. Isaiah Lester became a beneficiary in a wrongful death case of over $10 million dollars. Case closed, right? Not so fast…
Of course, the attorneys who represented Allied Concrete Co. were not going to go out without a fight. They are now seeking a reversal of that judgment because of pictures that may have been posted Lester’s Facebook page. Lester’s attorney allegedly lied to the court regarding the Facebook page and intentionally withheld evidence regarding the case.
There are numerous other cases that have involved using social media postings as evidence in court. What we can learn from them is to always use discretion when publishing anything on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Before you post anything, ask yourself it if is something that might be taken out of context and portray you in a negative way. You never know who could be keeping tabs on you; it could be an insurance adjuster, attorney, or even the police.
Another lesson to be learned from all of this is to simply tell the truth. If you really were not seriously injured in a car wreck or you may have contributed to an accident, then just be honest. Keep in mind that attorneys and insurance companies will do anything to disprove your case, and that includes attempting to be your “friend”.
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