The costs of a car accident, truck accident, slip and fall, or other serious injury rack up quickly. From medical expenses to time missed from work, the amount of money you lose due to a serious accident can quickly reach the thousands of dollars.
Unfortunately, the insurance companies want to get you to settle for less than your case is worth, hoping that you will be desperate or uninformed enough to accept a lowball offer. This is precisely why it is vital to have a skilled Richmond accident attorney on your side.
Few Virginia personal injury law firms have as much experience or reputation as Burnett & Williams. Led by principal C. James Williams III, Burnett & Williams has been able to achieve record verdicts for its clients throughout Virginia.
“We will go to bat for you to get you the compensation you deserve,” asserts Williams. “You shouldn’t be on the hook for costs from injury or death when someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.”
Why you need a Richmond car accident attorney
With decades of experience in the personal injury landscape, the team at Burnett & Williams has a keen understanding of the law and what it means for your personal injury case. For example, Virginia has a contributory negligence law, meaning that if the victim is found even 1% at fault for an accident, they cannot recover damages. If you are fighting the insurance companies yourself, it can be easy to slip up by doing something as simple as saying “I’m sorry,” which can be seen as an admission of fault and jeopardize your accident claim.
Because lawyers deal with hundreds of lawsuits, they can also navigate the complexities of the legal process much more efficiently and effectively than the average individual. Processes like paperwork and filing can be incredibly confusing for the average person because of dense legal language and convoluted procedures.
“When you hire a personal injury attorney, they take care of all of these steps on your behalf, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your recovery,” says Williams.
One of the key considerations that car accident victims must keep in mind when pursuing compensation for their personal injury claim is the statute of limitations. Each state sets a statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits — the amount of time a victim or family has to file in court. (In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the statute of limitations is two years.) A personal injury attorney will be intimately familiar with the statute of limitations and any other applicable regulations, ensuring that all necessary filings are made in a timely manner.
“It’s important to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney right away,” says Williams. “If you don’t, you could risk running out of time.”
Car accident attorneys will also advocate for you in a system that is, frankly, stacked against you. “Remember, if you go it alone, it’s not a level playing field. The insurance companies know the ins and outs of claim handling and have virtually unlimited resources at their disposal,” Williams reminds readers. “They have good lawyers and access to resources beyond what the normal individual has, not to mention plenty of time to wait things out. When you hire a personal injury attorney, you get access to their equally powerful network.”
Resources that car accident lawyers offer accident victims for their personal injury claims
For example, your car accident lawyer will be able to extensively investigate your accident and gather evidence. It is crucial to gather initial evidence yourself, including photos of your car accident injuries and the accident scene, as soon as they happen. However, your attorney will conduct an even more detailed investigation, collecting witness statements, medical records, police reports, and other relevant documentation, and analyzing them to determine an accurate portrait of the liability of the negligent party and reach a fair demand amount.
Another key resource that personal injury attorneys offer is access to a robust network of expert witnesses who can strengthen your case. In their years of experience, personal attorneys have worked with professionals, including medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists, who can testify in a deposition or in court on your behalf. These experts offer insight that can help strengthen your case by asserting the severity of your injury or proving the cause of your accident.
Furthermore, personal injury lawyers wield tremendous power at the negotiation table. “Because they not only have ample resources behind them but also a reputation, insurance companies are often willing to work with skilled and experienced attorneys to achieve a more favorable settlement for their clients, knowing that they run the risk of losing more if they take it to court,” concludes Williams. “Although you can theoretically negotiate with the insurance company yourself, you don’t have the same resources, knowledge, or clout we have as attorneys.”
Contact Burnett & Williams to be your personal injury law firm for auto accidents in Richmond
If you have been injured in a car crash or other motor vehicle accident and need the help of a Richmond accident attorney, contact Burnett & Williams for a no-obligation free consultation today.
