2009
N. 14th Street, Suite 606, Arlington, Virginia 22201, Telephone:
(703) 807- 0780
Fax: (703) 807-0781
Personal Injury
Any
case in which one person is hurt by another person's
negligent or wrongful action (or inaction) may be
considered personal injury. Victims suffer physical
pain and mental trauma that may be permanent and life-changing.
Physical personal injury can include disfigurement,
loss of limb, permanent or disfiguring scars, disability,
and loss of one of the five senses.
Cases
arising out of automobile accidents are by far the
most common type of personal injury today. This is
not surprising, given that every Motor vehicle accidents
are the leading cause of death for Americans between
the age of 3 and 33. In 2005 43,443 people were killed
and 2,699,000 were injured in more than 6 million
accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Board.
When
you have been injured in an auto collision as a result
of another person’s negligence, you have the right
to seek compensation for economic and non-economic
damages. A personal injury accident can leave you
with medical bills, lost wages, damages to your person
or vehicle, and a feeling of hopelessness. In addition
to seeking reimbursement for your hospitalization,
surgery, long-term physical therapy or future medical
help, the law provides that you have a right to seek
compensation for your pain and suffering. Damages
that can be awarded include: Medical, hospital and
doctor bills, loss of income, property damage, pain
and suffering, loss of quality of life and other awards,
depending on the seriousness of the injuries and their
short-term and long-term consequences. Many times
an injury will cause a pre-existing condition (such
as an old back injury) to be aggravated, causing greater
pain and suffering than before. Sometimes an injury
does not appear serious at first, but may continue
to cause pain and disability.
After
your automobile accident, the insurance companies
will attempt to settle with you before you consult
with an attorney, believing they can settle claims
for less with victims who are not represented by personal
injury lawyers. It is critical that you speak to an
attorney right away, before waiving any of your rights.
We represent injured plaintiffs in the Commonwealth
of Virginia, Maryland and in the Washington DC area.
Our fees are generally on a “contingency fee basis,”
meaning we would receive a percentage of any money
we collect for you, but receive nothing if there is
no recovery.
If you
or someone you love has been involved in an accident
and suffered personal injury, please click "free
case evaluation" the link provided below. We
will review the information you provide and may contact
you to discuss your legal options. We will work diligently
to arrive at a timely settlement or proceed to trial
to obtain the compensation you deserve.
What to do after an accident
You
have to stop your vehicle after an accident (even
if you believe that the other party is at fault).
It is a crime to leave a scene of an automobile accident.
As shocking
as the experience is, try to be calm. Before you exit
your vehicle, make sure that it is safe to do so.
If you believe you or any one is injured, call 911.
Wait patiently until help and the police arrive. Do
not make comments which you are not certainly sure
about because such could be easily be misconstrued?
You and
the other driver should exchange information, including
the other driver's name, address, phone number, drivers
license number, license plate number, insurance carrier,
policy number, and agent's name and telephone number.
You should also provide the same information to the
other driver.
Once
the police arrive, let the police officer know about
the facts of what happened, without admitting liability.
Establishing liability or responsibility is at times
a legally complicated matter, and for this reason,
you should refrain from taking responsibility for
the accident. Please cooperate with the police and
remain at the scene until the officer advises you
to leave.
It is
also a good idea to take a mental or written note
of how the accident happened, the traffic, road, speed
and weather condition.
If you
feel you have sustained an injury, do not be embarrassed
to ask to be transported to an emergency room. More
often, injured people might feel that they are well
under the rush of the moment. Even after the accident,
consult with a doctor soon after the accident or as
soon as you feel any minor signs of injury. Because
certain injuries do not materialize some time after
the accident, and because such minor signs might be
indications of a significant injury, visit your doctor
promptly. How soon after the accident you sought medical
attention can be taken as an indication of the severity
of the injury.
What
is a personal injury and what kinds of cases are
considered personal injury cases?
A personal injury occurs when the negligence of
one person or group causes injury to another person.
In personal injury cases, negligence may be either
an action or inaction. The guilty party may have
directly caused the victim's injury by behaving
recklessly or may have caused the injury by failing
to prevent it when he or she had the duty to do
so. Some examples of possible personal injury
cases include: slip and fall injuries, nursing
home abuse or neglect, automobile accidents, wrongful
death, brain injuries, and on-the-job injuries.
How
do I know if I have a claim?
In order to be compensation, the other driver
must be at fault and you must sustain some form
of injury as a result of the other driver’s negligence.
The injury might be a new one or an aggravation
of a preexisting condition.
How
is liability determined?
The Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland
and Washington DC fall in what is called the contributory
negligence jurisdictions. What this mean is that
if you have contributed to the accident, you would
not be able to collect damages, no matter how
small you contribution is to that accident.
What
is the compensation for which I am entitled to?
An individual injured in an automobile accident
may be entitled to recover the actual expenses
associated with property damage and medical costs,
economic damages, and emotional and physical pain
and suffering.
What
is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and
do I have it?
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you
are involved in a car accident with a driver who
doesn’t have any insurance to pay for your injuries.
Underinsured motorist coverage protects you if
the other driver does not have enough insurance
to pay for your injuries.
Do
I get protection when an accident and injury in
caused by unknown person, ex. Hit and run?
The uninsured coverage also applies when an accident
and injury is caused by unknown person. (EX. HIT
AND RUN). Uninsured Motorist insurance is extremely
important in terms of providing protection from
a number of unforeseeable circumstances. The higher
the coverage, the better.
Can
you recommend a doctor to me to treat me for my
injuries?
You should probably make an appointment with your
health care provider or your primary physician.
If your physician believes that you need further
treatment, he/she would likely refer you to further
treatment with a specialist such as a physical
therapist or orthopedist. If, however, you don’t
have a primary care doctor or a health care provider,
we would be able to provide you with a list of
health care providers.
How
soon after the accident should I seek medical
attention?
If you are injured in an automobile accident,
you should seek medical attention. Whether or
not you have a claim, you should be examined by
a doctor, both for your own peace of mind and
to document the injury to support your claim.
Frequently, an automobile accident injury will
not be immediately apparent. Whenever symptoms
first appear, go to your family doctor, a hospital
emergency room, or another medical professional
to obtain medical help. The sooner that you seek
medical treatment, the better your claim will
be taken seriously, and the quicker benefit of
recovery.
Should
I give recorded statement to the insurance company
of the at-fault party?
You should never give a recorded statement to
an insurance adjuster of the at-fault party without
first consulting with an attorney. Often, insurance
adjusters recognize that you could decide to retain
a lawyer after a while and would want to solicit
information as quick as possible without your
interest at heart. The same applies regarding
signing documents.
It is especially important to consult an attorney
before giving a statement to the other driver’s
insurance company. Do not sign any check or document
from any insurance company without first consulting
an experienced personal injury attorney.
Can
I be compensated for lost wages?
Yes, as long as your absence from work was caused
by the injury and medically necessary. Make sure
that you have records and logs documenting your
absence.
Do
I need an attorney to handle my personal injury
claim?
Before deciding whether you should proceed with
or without a lawyer, it is always wise to initially
consult with a lawyer. No matter how claim adjusters
sound friendly over the phone and no matter how
they rush to get you do things, their ultimate
motive is to pay you as little as possible to
settle your claim. Just remember that your interest
and the interest of the insurance company adjuster
are at odds. If you are involved in a serious
accident, you must seriously consider hiring an
attorney.
Do
I have to pay you any money when I hire you and
how would you assist me?
No. We will be paid only after you are compensated
and after you are paid first. Our law firm offers
the personal attention, focus and resources that
clients who have suffered serious personal injury
deserve. We will handle every aspect of your claim
from presenting the claim to the insurer, filing
suit, conducting discovery and taking the case
to trial. Please fill out the form below and we'll
contact you for a free initial consultation:
