
One of the first questions that most people involved in Virginia personal injury claims have is how long will their claim take to settle? Regrettably, the other person’s insurance carrier will usually attempt to drag the process out, while additional factors that may or may not apply to your specific case make it virtually impossible to predict exactly how long your case is going to take.
When will I actually receive compensation for my injuries?
It is perfectly understandable that, after being injured by someone else’s negligence, you would want to know exactly when you will receive the money you need to cover your damages so can move forward with your life. Unfortunately, no reputable attorney can give you a precise timeline regarding how long your case will take and when you will see your money because so many different factors will affect the answer.
Our experienced legal team can examine your claim for financial compensation and file on your behalf. To schedule a free case review with one of our Virginia personal injury attorneys, give our Virginia Beach law offices a call at (833) 997-1774 or fill out the form on our website.
What Factors Affect the Duration of My Personal Injury Claim?
There are multiple factors that play a significant part in the overall time span of a personal injury case, including:
- Whether or not you can prove that you did not contribute to your own injuries
- How willing the other party is to negotiate
- The nature and scope of your injuries and what medical treatments were required
- The circumstances that led to your accident
- How many plaintiffs are seeking damages
- The amount of damages being sought by those plaintiffs
- The knowledge and skill level of your attorney
Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
In terms of fault and accident liability, Virginia abides by the laws of contributory negligence. If you are found to be even 1% at fault for your own injuries, the court can decide that you are ineligible to collect any financial compensation.
It is important for victims to understand that the insurance company makes its money by keeping their payouts to an absolute bare minimum. They will even go so far as to coerce injured victims into making a statement that actually endangers their claim. This is why it is essential that you work with a qualified personal injury attorney who is capable of handling the negotiations for you.
In order to present the strongest claim possible, your attorney will perform a thorough investigation of the accident that will involve:
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Examining police reports and other official documentation
- Collecting and preserving all bills, receipts, tax returns, and paystubs pertaining to your medical care and lost income
- Working with expert witnesses such as accountants and medical professionals
- Calculating the costs of any long-term or permanent care
If it is possible to do so, your lawyer will wait until you have recovered before they submit your claim to the insurance carrier. Doing this allows them to submit a comprehensive record of your medical expenses. However, in Virginia, the statute of limitations is only two years from the day your accident occurred. If your claim is not filed before this deadline, you will be barred from collecting any recovery.
Furthermore, if you are not the only plaintiff in your case, it could take much longer for your attorney to be able to reach an acceptable settlement.
Speak With a Qualified Virginia Personal Injury Attorney Today
Filing a Virginia personal injury claim is not the straightforward process that many people believe it to be. To get the reliable guidance and the compensation deserve and are entitled to, you should always work with a reputable law firm.
Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is a Virginia personal injury law firm located in Virginia Beach and backed by more than forty years of experience litigating personal injury cases. To schedule your free case review with one of our qualified attorneys, call us today at (833) 997-1774.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
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