After a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and financial impact. At The Pendleton Law Team, we understand how disruptive an incident like this can be, and we want to support you every step of the way. When you hire us as your personal injury lawyer serving Ashland, you can trust that you’ll receive the legal representation you need when seeking justice.
We have more than a decade of experience handling personal injury cases, and our law firm is small, which means we can devote personal time and attention to your case. With our Ashland area car accident lawyer by your side, you can pursue compensation with confidence while you focus on your recovery.
What to Expect When You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Serving Ashland
When you hire us to represent you in a car wreck case, you choose to retain legal counsel who is committed to protecting your rights while maximizing your compensation. We approach every case we take on with compassion and care. We typically start by focusing on the details of your case and familiarizing ourselves with the circumstances that resulted in the collision.
From there, we strive to develop a clear and actionable plan to pursue the damages to which you’re rightfully entitled.
Case Evaluation
The first step in any vehicle accident case is a thorough evaluation of the incident and its aftermath. We can review every aspect of the collision, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records.
This part of the process helps us paint a picture of what happened, which we then use as our foundation when building your case. By gathering as much information as possible, we can better identify avenues for compensation and develop a strategy that aligns with them.
Legal Strategy Customized to Your Case
No two accidents unfold in the same exact way, and that’s why we make it a point to personalize the experiences of all our clients. We aim to create a personalized legal strategy that reflects the specifics of your situation.
We are prepared to do whatever is necessary within the confines of the law to defend your rights as the victim of a collision. Our primary goal is to secure the outcome you are entitled to because we believe all accident victims should receive fair compensation.
Representation in Negotiations and Litigation
Insurance companies often try to minimize the amount of money they offer as payouts, even if it means undermining your recovery. However, we recognize that this is a common tactic and find it very unfair to accident victims.
You can count on us to stand up in the face of low settlement offers and work to negotiate a fair compensation package on your behalf. Our Ashland area car accident attorneys are prepared to negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court if necessary.
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What Types of Damages Are Recoverable in an Ashland Car Accident
After a car crash, your first priority should be to call 911 for help, then seek medical care. Let the police document the scene and get yourself to a hospital for a full evaluation. This helps to create a path towards documenting all of your losses.
Most people suffer from numerous types of damage in these accidents. It is up to you to determine what your losses are and to build a robust claim that backs up those losses with evidence. With our attorney’s guidance, you will have more insight into how to do that.
Car crash victims often face significant financial burdens, namely medical bills accrued while seeking professional care for their injuries and lost income as a result of taking time away from work to recover. As your legal counsel, we can pursue all available forms of compensation.
Medical Expenses
Medical costs are typically the most immediate concern following an accident. From emergency treatment to long-term care, these expenses can quickly add up. We can help you document and quantify all accident-related medical expenses, including the following:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgery and hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- In-home care, if necessary
- Lost wages and earning capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. In cases where an accident results in a long-term disability, you might also qualify for damages related to lost earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
The physical injuries and emotional distress that stem from an accident can be dire. While these types of damages are more difficult to quantify than medical expenses, we can calculate fair compensation for pain and suffering. In doing so, we often consider the following factors:
- The severity of your injuries
- The length of your recovery process
- The impact of the incident on your quality of life.
Your life is in turmoil from the actions of others. You deserve compensation for all you went through as a result. We can help you make that the case by clearly justifying your losses.
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Other Compensation in a Car Accident
Car crashes often damage all vehicles involved, in addition to causing personal injuries. If your car was damaged or totaled, we can take that into account as we work to ensure you receive compensation, including car-related repairs or replacements.
In addition, you may miss time at work due to your injuries. In some cases, victims are unable to return to the same type of work they were doing, or they may be unable to work at all. We seek compensation for all of those losses as well.
Insurance companies may not tell you that you can seek compensation for other losses, such as the care you need for your newly onset mental health complications or the losses you have resulting from damage to relationships.
Our goal is to maximize your claim by documenting all ways this accident has impacted your health, mental well-being, and financial future. Review our frequently asked questions from The Pendleton Law Team to learn more.
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Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Victims
If you were injured in a collision, you should reach out to an attorney at your earliest convenience. This is because all accident victims are subject to what is known as a statute of limitations, which is essentially a time frame dictating how much time you have to file a claim.
In Ashland, victims have two years to file a personal injury claim (§ 8.01-243). While this may sound like a long time, the two-year period often goes by quickly. Also, note that the statute of limitations begins on the date of the collision.
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the victim is under 18 at the time of the accident. In this case, the law gives you two years from the date you turn 18 to file a claim if no one sought compensation prior to this. Note, too, that in situations of wrongful death, where the victim loses their life, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the death, giving family members time to seek legal action.
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What Happens if You Are Both at Fault
There are situations where more than one driver is at fault for an accident, and in Virginia, that can be highly problematic. Under the state’s pure contributory negligence rule, if you are hurt in an accident and found to be even just 1% at fault, you cannot file a claim against the other party for any losses. That means even if the other party is mostly to blame for what happened, you cannot seek fair compensation.
For this reason, we work diligently to find the evidence to minimize any claims against you. We want to dispute police statements, other drivers’ statements, and even the insurance company’s claim that you are at fault. If you were found at fault, do not give up just yet.
When you contact our team, we will gather additional evidence and document why you should not be held at fault in the case. We can also help you pursue other parties that may be responsible or seek solutions to recover any losses you have incurred.
Reach Out to a Car Accident Law Firm Near Ashland for Legal Representation
At The Pendleton Law Team, we understand how challenging the aftermath of a collision can be for auto accident victims. We want to relieve you of the legal stress so that you can focus on healing from the injuries you sustained in the crash.
With years of experience representing those who have been hurt in a collision, we have the means to fight for our clients’ rights and seek compensation. If you want to learn more about our firm and how our Ashland area car accident lawyer can represent you, contact us as soon as possible.
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