The term criminal law usually makes the average person think of the typical trial and courtroom setting, with a defendant appealing his case before a jury. However, criminal law can take on a civil aspect when the criminal activities resulted in injuries to a victim or their families. After any criminal action in Virginia, a victim and his or her Richmond criminal injury lawyer may bring a civil claim for damages against the defendant in a claim separate from the criminal aspect. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to bring a claim for damages.
Criminal Law
Criminal law covers a wide range of activities. Some of the more common actions which might lead to personal injury claims include assault, DUI accidents, and drug crimes. While the criminal court system exists to punish those individuals who have committed crimes, the system may not always lead to a positive outcome for the victim, and a guilty verdict in criminal court will not cover the medical expenses a defendant caused. A personal injury claim is the only option a victim has to recover any damages which were directly related to the criminal action, including medical expenses and lost wages.
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Personal Injury Claims
A personal injury claim may be filed your Richmond criminal injury lawyer at the same time a criminal action is making its way through the criminal court system. Neither claim will be dependent on the outcome of the other. Therefore the outcome of the criminal charges will not change the outcome of the civil claim. The criminal court system requires a higher burden of proof; the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime and that the defendant’s actions meet every element of the crime. In a civil claim, the burden of proof is lower and the victim only needs to prove that the defendant was responsible for any injuries sustained during the crime by a preponderance of the evidence.
As the victim of a criminal act, you have undoubtedly suffered both physical and psychological injuries. Criminal actions, unfortunately, can occur at any time and any place, making the emotional effects of the crime much more difficult to recover from. You are entitled to bring an action for damages after the crime occurs, including the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Future earnings
- Pain and suffering
An experienced Richmond personal injury lawyer can assist you in calculating out the total amount of damages you are entitled to receive after the criminal action.
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Consult a Richmond Criminal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a family member were the victims of criminal activity, do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at Pendleton Law. Our attorneys have years of experience in handling personal injury claims related to criminal activities. The negligent actions of these individuals resulted in harm to you or your family, and they should, therefore, be held responsible for these actions. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
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