Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming experience. In the aftermath of the accident, you may be dealing with injuries, medical bills, and financial stress if you are unable to work while you recover from your injuries. Although you may choose to handle your Virginia Beach area car accident claim without legal representation, there are significant risks associated with not hiring a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer. The following are some of the factors that should be considered.
Underestimating Damages and Inadequate Compensation
One of the primary risks of not hiring a car accident lawyer is receiving inadequate compensation for your losses. Insurance companies are profit-driven entities whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. Without an attorney to advocate for your rights and negotiate on your behalf, you may settle for a much lower amount than you deserve.
Your attorney will determine the full extent of your damages. This process can be challenging without legal knowledge and experience. Your attorney will assess your case comprehensively, considering not only immediate medical expenses and property damage but also future medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other long-term permanent consequences of the accident, including scarring, permanent injuries, and impairments. Some of these “intangible” damages are harder to evaluate, and one of the main reasons to retain a skilled attorney with a long track record of success in Virginia personal injury cases.
Preparing Your Case
Car accident cases involve complex legal processes and requirements. Filing paperwork, meeting deadlines – such as Virginia’s statute of limitation law, and adhering to legal protocols can be overwhelming for individuals without legal experience. A minor error or missed deadline can jeopardize your case.
Determining liability (proving a car driver or other person is at fault) in a car accident can be complex. It may involve analyzing traffic laws, witness statements, accident reconstructions, and other factors.
Gathering and preserving evidence is also essential for a successful car accident claim. Car accident lawyers have the resources and knowledge to collect evidence, interview witnesses, obtain accident reports, and work with experts to build a compelling case. Without legal representation, you may miss critical evidence that strengthens your claim.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating and time-consuming. Insurance adjusters often use delays, denials, or lowball offers to discourage claimants. Your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company, ensuring your rights are protected.
You also want a skilled and experienced attorney to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may use various tactics to pressure you into accepting a low settlement. Your lawyer will level the playing field and negotiate effectively to secure fair compensation.
If negotiations with the insurance company do not result in a fair settlement offer, you may need to take your case to court, something your attorney should be prepared for if required. At our Virginia Beach-based car accident law firm, our attorneys have extensive experience in insurance settlement negotiations and trials, which is why we have been in business since 1985 and have secured more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Call Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp Today
Recovering from a car accident and managing a legal claim can be emotionally taxing. A Virginia Beach car accident lawyer can alleviate stress by handling the legal aspects of your case and ensuring your best interests are protected, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
If you have been injured in a crash, contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation and find out what type of legal options you may have. Our attorneys are focused on getting injured clients the compensation they deserve, like the $130,000 insurance settlement we obtained for one client who suffered a concussion, soft tissue injuries to her back and neck, and a laceration to her face when another driver failed to yield the right of way.
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Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
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