When you are in a serious accident of any kind that leaves you with an injury, it can feel like a nightmare of stress and betrayal. All you want is to get well again, but you are facing rising medical bills that you cannot pay because you cannot work. Even worse, you have filed an injury claim, but the insurance companies are refusing to pay, and it is clear they don’t have your best interests in mind. You wonder if anyone out there can help you.
The truth is, you don’t have to do it alone. Personal injury lawyers can be the solution to your problems. They know how the law works and can stand up to the bullying insurance adjusters. The right personal injury law firm will fight tooth and nail to get you the compensation you deserve. The Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Montagna Klein Camden Law are just a phone call away. Get a free consultation by calling our law offices at (757) 622-8100 or filling out an online contact form today.
What Types of Accidents Are Personal Injury Cases in Norfolk, Virginia?
At Montagna Law, almost every type of personal injury case under the sun comes through our door. We have the experience and tenacity to represent nearly any accident victim. These accidents can result in injuries from broken bones to internal injuries, traumatic brain injury, and many other disabilities. Just a few of the types of accidents we have seen include:
- Auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and other motor vehicle accidents
- Premises liability or slip and fall cases
- Industrial accidents
- Defective products
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
- Wrongful death cases
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can take a wide range of forms. Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and even boating accidents all have unique factors that must be considered. You need an experienced law firm in your corner that knows how to hold the right parties responsible.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall
Premises liability involves accidents and injuries on someone else’s property. The most common premises liability injuries are slip and fall accidents, but they can also arise from falling objects or any other hazards that the owner or property manager knew about or should have known about and failed to address.
Industrial Accidents
Industrial accidents can cover everything from an injury arising from the use of heavy equipment to chemical burns, illness from working conditions and exposure to hazardous substances, injuries from environmental conditions, falling objects, and many other situations.
Defective Products
Product liability cases come in three forms. Design defects refer to the core concepts behind the item, a flaw in its core design that makes it dangerous to use. Manufacturing defects mean that it has a sound design, but the building of the object utilized faulty or cheap parts or cut corners, making it dangerous to use. Failure to warn means that someone knew of a risk of using the product, somewhere along the line, but failed to warn the consumer. It can also reference dangerous products due to a failure to include clear instructions on their proper intended use.
Dog Bites
People have a duty of care towards others, including keeping their animals on leashes or safely penned up. It means that you are responsible for your pet, and if your pet hurts another, you bear responsibility for those injuries. If you’ve been bitten by a dog or attacked by someone else’s animal, an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help you seek compensation.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice arises when a healthcare provider makes an egregious error through recklessness, lack of knowledge, or even malicious acts leading to a patient’s injury. If you have been hurt by a careless doctor, nurse, or another provider, a personal injury law firm can pursue damages to help pay for the lingering bills and pain and suffering you face.
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Nursing home neglect and abuse come in many varieties. The abuse can be financial, physical, emotional, and even sexual. Whatever form it takes, it is a stark betrayal of trust. If you suspect a loved one is the victim of abuse, call the authorities immediately and remove them from the situation. Next, contact a Norfolk, Virginia, personal injury law firm to seek compensation.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death cases arise when you lose a loved one to an accident that was someone else’s fault. In Virginia, only the personal representative, or executor, of the deceased person’s estate can bring such a suit, unless the death is a fetus, in which case the mother can bring a claim.
How Do You File Personal Injury Cases in Norfolk, VA?
Every state has a concept called a statute of limitations. This is the time limit during which you must file your lawsuit. If you miss the statute of limitations, you may lose your opportunity to get compensated for the damages you’ve suffered. This is why it’s so important to start the legal process early in Norfolk.
Filing a case involves paperwork with the courts and notifying the other side. This begins the process of negotiation.
The core idea behind personal injury cases is negligence. We must first prove that the defendant acted in an unreasonably irresponsible manner, thus putting others in danger. Second, we must establish that their behavior led directly or proximately to the accident. Finally, it is imperative to prove that you (or your loved one in the case of wrongful death) got hurt in the accident.
Every case is different, so while some cases are resolved quickly, some go to court for a long fight. Regardless of how long this takes, the legal team at Montagna Law will work to build you an iron-clad case and fight for your rights every step of the way. Unlike some large corporate PLLC firms, we get to know our clients, and we’ll stand right by your side.
How Does Contributory Negligence Affect Personal Injury Claims in Norfolk, Virginia?
Virginia is one of only four states left that does not use comparative negligence but uses a doctrine called contributory negligence. This means that if you are responsible in any way for the accident, even as little as 1%, you will be barred from recovering damages. That is why working with a personal injury law firm with decades of experience and knowledge in building iron-clad cases is vital.
Is Worker’s Compensation Different From a Personal Injury Claim in Norfolk, Virginia?
Workers’ compensation is very different from a personal injury claim. Workers’ comp is a form of insurance carried by most employers in the state. It provides medical care and a portion of your lost wages when you get hurt during the normal course of your work. It is no-fault insurance, meaning who caused the accident is not particularly relevant. All too often, however, workers’ compensation claims are unfairly denied, and when they are, you need a qualified lawyer to help you get the benefits to which you are entitled under the law.
How Do I Deal With Insurance Companies for a Personal Injury Claim?
Insurance companies are not your friend. They are out to make a profit, nothing more. They might seem compassionate at first, but they want you to sign off on a critically low offer, and if you refuse, they will try anything to get out of paying your claim, even blaming you. Because of Virginia’s contributory negligence law, you must have someone in your corner who knows how to fight back.
After you get your free consultation and secure representation from an injury law firm, you do not have to speak to insurance adjusters. You can always simply direct them to your personal injury attorney at Montagna Law. Let us deal with the insurance company while you focus on recovering from your accident.
What Should You Know About Virginia Personal Injury Settlements?
Injury settlements are awarded based on the seriousness of your injury and the damages incurred. The exact value cannot be determined before you speak to your attorney, but just a few of the types of damages that are often awarded include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and potential lost future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your attorney knows exactly how to value non-economic damages that are more subjective, like pain and suffering or loss of companionship. These cases can sometimes take a while to settle, so patience is essential. Your injury lawyer, however, will keep you informed every step of the way and will doggedly fight for you.
What To Do If Involved in an Auto, Truck or Motorcycle Accident in Norfolk, VA
The time following an accident is crucial and that can make it an incredibly stressful time period.
Filing a lawsuit with Norfolk personal injury lawyers who can guide you through the case may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is important to take certain steps in the aftermath of your accident as they can affect any legal claims if you decide to file suit later.
- Get a medical evaluation: Your health and wellbeing should be your number one priority following your accident. If you are not transported to a hospital from the scene of the crash, make sure that you see a doctor yourself. The doctor will identify, diagnose, and treat any injuries you’ve sustained which will significantly reduce the likelihood of suffering from complications in the future. Your medical evaluation will be an imperative piece of evidence when you later file an auto accident claim.
- Report the crash: Report the crash immediately. An officer will arrive to survey the scene and document the incident. The officer’s report will contain important details relevant to the accident that could get lost over time including current weather conditions, eyewitness testimony and information, and traffic conditions.
- Gather evidence: Start by taking photos of the scene of the accident, the damage done to any involved vehicles, and your injuries. We also recommend writing down your recollection of the event as this can help to refresh your memory later down the line.
- Refuse preliminary settlement offers: Recovering compensation after a car accident in Hampton Roads is not easy. To ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries, do not speak to insurance companies until you’ve consulted with an auto accident attorney.
Contact an attorney: Hiring a personal injury attorney is the best way for you to maximize the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries and damages. Call Montagna Law today to schedule a free consultation with our expert legal team.
Why Should I Hire Montagna Law As My Virginia Personal Injury Attorney?
At Montagna Law, we are listed among the state Super Lawyers, and we bring over 175 years of combined experience in helping clients get the money they deserve. We have represented clients across the state, including ones in Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and of course, Norfolk.
We provide legal advice and build solid cases from research, experience, and good, old-fashioned hard work. We may be able to point you towards resources to help your recovery. We know how to stand up to intimidating insurance companies and fight for your right to compensation. We offer free consultations, and best of all, if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay a dime. We are the law firm that treats every client like a member of our own family.
Is It Time to Seek Legal Help to Get the Compensation You Deserve?
If you have suffered a personal injury due to someone else’s reckless acts, do not try to navigate the complexities of Virginia’s legal system by yourself. Go with the law firm that will care for you like one of our own. To get your free consultation, get in touch with Montagna Law by calling (757) 822-8100 or use our easy online contact form to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
