Lake Ridge Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident can instantly turn your life upside down, leaving you with painful injuries and costly medical bills. You could be entitled to seek compensation for your losses, but taking legal action alone can be challenging. That’s why you need an experienced, dedicated, and caring attorney on your side. Turn to a Lake Ridge, VA, car accident lawyer for help pursuing the justice and financial relief you deserve.
D. Michael Mullori, Jr., Attorney at Law aims to provide excellent, high-quality service to every client. Since 1999, Mike Mullori has represented injury victims and families throughout Virginia. Mike can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other losses after a car accident.
Contact or call (703) 762-2142 Mike Mullori today for a free consultation and learn more about how he can advocate for you.
What Should I Do Right After a Car Accident?
In the days, weeks, and months after a car crash, taking the proper steps to ensure your well-being and build a solid foundation for future legal action is essential. Equally important is avoiding anything that could harm your health or your case.
Here are the steps you should take and what to steer clear of after a car wreck:
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if you don’t require immediate medical care, visiting a doctor for a complete check-up and diagnosis is essential because some injuries don’t have obvious symptoms.
- Gather Evidence and Documentation – Collect and organize all relevant documents, such as medical records, police reports, and receipts for expenses you incur due to the accident. Take photographs of your injuries and vehicle damage if you haven’t already.
- Avoid Discussing the Accident Publicly – Refrain from discussing the accident on social media or with anyone other than your attorney. Anything you say could be used against you.
- Contact Your Insurance Company – Report the accident to your insurance company right away. However, watch what you say and avoid admitting fault, apologizing, or guessing.
- Never Accept Your First Settlement Offer – Some insurance companies might offer a quick settlement hoping you’ll accept it without thinking. Be cautious, as initial offers rarely provide adequate compensation for the full scope of your losses.
- Consult a Seasoned Lawyer – Seek the advice of a skilled attorney like Mike Mullori, who can protect your rights, evaluate settlement offers for fairness, and take your case to trial if needed.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
If you get hurt in a car accident someone else causes, you could be entitled to various types of compensation to ease the financial burden of the accident. These are some of the types of losses for which you could recover compensation in a successful car accident lawsuit:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Vehicle repair or replacement, plus other property damage
Who Can Be Held at Fault in a Car Accident?
Determining fault for a car accident is a critical component of any accident injury claim. Examples of potentially at-fault parties in a car accident case include the following:
- The other driver or drivers
- Other drivers’ employers
- Public entities responsible for road design or maintenance
- Vehicle repair or maintenance companies
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers
- Car dealerships or rental companies
- Rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft
- Pedestrians, cyclists, or other road users
What If I Am Partially at Fault for a Car Accident?
Virginia follows a “pure contributory negligence” rule when determining liability for injuries, meaning you could be barred from seeking compensation from others if you are found even one percent at fault for a car accident. In other words, you could walk away empty-handed even if the other party is 99 percent responsible.
Because of this strict rule, working with a Lake Ridge car accident lawyer who can defend your rights and build a robust case on your behalf is crucial.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Virginia?
Under Virginia law, you typically have two years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, some exceptions could lengthen or shorten the deadline, depending on the specifics of your case. Additionally, while this two-year time limit does not apply to insurance claims, these claims are often subject to even tighter filing deadlines.
Because a missed deadline could jeopardize your right to demand compensation and accountability, the guidance of a seasoned attorney like Mike Mullori is indispensable after an auto wreck.
How a Lake Ridge, VA, Lawyer Can Help with Car Accident Claims
Taking on a car accident claim alone can be daunting and potentially detrimental to the outcome of your case. This is where a seasoned Lake Ridge, VA, lawyer like Mike Mullori can make a real difference.
Among the ways a car accident law firm could help with your car accident claim is through:
- Investigating the motor vehicle accident and identifying liable parties
- Collecting and preserving valuable evidence
- Exploring all possible sources of compensation for your losses
- Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Documenting and quantifying your accident-related losses
- Managing deadlines and filing requirements for your claim
- Consulting and hiring reliable experts to support your case
- Anticipating and preparing for possible defenses raised by the opposition
- Challenging aspects of the other side’s case that imply you are to blame
- Organizing and presenting your case in the most effective way possible
- Negotiating a fair settlement that accounts for all your losses, including future ones
- Preparing your case for trial if the other side refuses to agree to a satisfactory settlement
What Are the Different Types of Car Accidents?
Being familiar with the different types of car accidents can help determine your legal options. Some collisions result in more severe injuries or require an understanding of complex laws. Here are the different types of car accidents Mike Mullori sees in the cases he handles:
- Rear-end collisions happen when one driver hits the vehicle ahead of them from behind, often due to tailgating, distracted driving, or speeding.
- T-bone collisions happen when a driver strikes the side of another vehicle with the front or rear of their own. These accidents are common at intersections, especially when drivers fail to yield.
- Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles collide front-to-front, often due to one driver negligently crossing the centerline or driving the wrong way down a one-way road.
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups involving three or more vehicles are often a combination of several types of collisions and are common on highways with dense traffic.
- Hit-and-run accidents happen when a driver collides with another vehicle and leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or render help.
- Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips over onto one side or its roof. This can happen when inexperienced or careless drivers turn sharply at speed or hit patches of water, ice, or snow on the road.
- Uninsured driver accidents involve one or more drivers without the appropriate liability insurance to cover others’ losses.
- Drunk driving accidents involve drivers under the influence of alcohol, which impairs essential driving abilities like depth perception, reaction time, and short-term recall.
- Uber and Lyft accidents occur when rideshare drivers are in traffic collisions. These cases are particularly complex due to the involvement of rideshare companies and insurance policies.
What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents?
Car accidents happen for various reasons, but here are some of the leading causes:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Vehicle design defects
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Following too closely
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to monitor blind spots
- Wrong-way driving or turns
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Poor local road conditions
- Inexperienced driving
- Aggressive driving
- Sleep-deprived driving
- Disobeying traffic signs or signals
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turns
What Are Common Injuries from Car Accidents?
Motor vehicle accidents can result in many injuries, some of which might not be immediately apparent in the aftermath. Some of these injuries can have long-term consequences for your health, livelihood, and overall quality of life. The following are some common injuries that result from an auto accident:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations and scrapes
- Contusions (bruises)
- Burn injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Joint injuries
- Amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Facial or dental injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and depression
How Long Does It Take for a Car Accident Claim to Settle?
The time it takes for a car accident claim to settle can vary substantially because every case is unique. Factors such as the complexity of the auto collision, the number of parties involved, and the severity of your injuries could all influence your settlement timeline.
Because there is no “average” duration, your best course of action for learning how long your case might take is to consult a knowledgeable Lake Ridge car accident attorney. Mike Mullori can review the specifics of your case, provide a personalized estimate, and help you set realistic expectations for the journey ahead.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Lake Ridge, VA, Today
If you’ve been injured in a Lake Ridge car accident, you need an experienced, dedicated, and caring attorney to fight for your rights. Mike Mullori is here to help you seek justice and compensation. With his support, you can focus on recovery while he handles your claim.
Contact or call (703) 762-2142 Mike today for a free consultation with a car accident attorney in Lake Ridge, VA.
Call for a free consultation