Why Is It Important To Hire A Local Virginia Lawyer For Automobile Accidents
Key Highlights:
- Wondering why is it important to hire a local Virginia lawyer for automobile accidents? Local attorneys understand the differences between the General District Court and Circuit Court in Virginia.
- Virginia has a contributory negligence rule that bars recovery if even 1% fault is associated with your action, so it is essential to do a thorough job when preparing your case locally.
- The statute of limitations in Virginia is typically two years, and where you file your suit in Virginia is very important.
- Local doctors and reconstruction experts can help to strengthen your claim if they are familiar with your attorney.
- The most heavily advertised or cheapest lawyer isn’t always the right fit; you need to know which specific local qualities actually matter for your case.
Choosing the right attorney after a car wreck in Virginia can be as vital as the details of the crash itself. Virginia has unique rules that are often applied differently in various courts, and insurance companies understand them all. If you’re wondering why is it important to hire a local Virginia lawyer for automobile accidents, it has everything to do with local courtroom experience, which is unique to each jurisdiction.
An attorney who has practiced in your specific court for many years will have advantages that an attorney at a far-away law firm will not have. That’s why working with a trusted local Virginia car accident lawyer from the Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm can significantly affect how much money you will be awarded for your injuries.
You don’t have to handle all of these legal procedures on your own. Contact the Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm at (800) 529-0804 today for a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected by a local expert.
Why Is It Important to Hire a Local Virginia Lawyer for Automobile Accidents?
Virginia follows the pure contributory negligence rule; if you are even 1% responsible for the crash, you cannot recover any damages. A local attorney can help you build your case from the very beginning, so there is no chance for the other party’s insurance company to use this rule’s blame-shifting technique.
A Two-Year Deadline and the Right Place to File
Under Va. Code § 8.01-243, Virginia residents have two years from the date of the accident (i.e., the day of the wreck) to file a lawsuit due to injuries sustained during the crash. A local Virginia personal injury attorney will also know the correct jurisdiction for filing the lawsuit, which will typically be the city or county where the accident occurred, or the county of the at-fault driver’s residence, thus avoiding unnecessary delays due to improper jurisdiction.
Knowing Virginia’s Courts Is a Real Advantage
Hiring a local legal representation Virginia gives you an upper hand as they know the ins and outs of the state’s legal system.
General District Court vs. Circuit Court
Virginia’s court system gives injured drivers options regarding where to file their lawsuit. Injured drivers can get a quicker decision from a General District Court, where a decision on an auto-injury case can take as little as four weeks to reach a decision. The General District Court also allows injured drivers to file a claim for damages of up to $50,000.
The Circuit Courts in Virginia hear larger cases, utilize juries, and allow for full pretrial discovery (like depositions and interrogatories), which are unavailable in the General District Court. An injured driver’s attorney regularly must decide which court to file a lawsuit in.
The Right to a Fresh Trial on Appeal
Either party has the right to have the Circuit Court hear the case from the beginning via a trial de novo appeal,, even if the first judge made the wrong decision. The strategy of an injured driver’s attorney may depend upon whether to “start low” by filing in the General District Court or file immediately in the Circuit Court, as both options may affect the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit.
Familiar Faces in the Courthouse
An attorney who regularly appears in the same courthouse knows the clerks, the judges’ preferences, and how to move cases through the courts. These advantages can make a difference in the outcome of a case.
Local Relationships Build a Stronger Case
By collaborating with a legal team based in Virginia, you can gain access to important local information, immediate connections to experts in a particular field, and well-connected professionals who can add weight to your case.
Doctors Who Will Document the Injuries
Medical professionals document injuries, have an established working relationship with local counsel, and can provide expert testimony regarding your injuries if necessary.
Reconstruction and Other Experts
Local accident-reconstruction professionals and others who specialize in various aspects of your accident. These individuals are familiar with the roads and conditions in Virginia.
Faster, Sharper Evidence Gathering
Attorneys located in Virginia can arrive at the accident scene shortly after it occurs, gather all necessary city or county records, and locate witnesses before witness memories fade or physical evidence disappears.
Experience With the Insurers Who Handle Virginia Claims
Insurance adjusters dealing with Virginia car accident claims are familiar with the “1% Rule,” which they use as their strongest negotiating tool.
Lawyers who regularly deal with those carriers are aware of the adjusters’ tactics and how much a claim in Virginia is actually worth, and therefore understand how to identify a reasonable offer versus a lowball offer meant to quickly and cheaply close the file.
Choosing the Right Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
Choosing a law firm by a billboard ad, hiring a long-distance firm that is not familiar with the Virginia contributory negligence, choosing an attorney simply because they quoted the lowest possible fee, and waiting until it is almost time to file a claim can all adversely affect a claim without anyone knowing they were doing anything wrong.
Therefore, aim to find a Virginia auto accident attorney who is licensed and focused in Virginia, has the ability to meet with you locally, is clear about what contingency fees are, and is willing to go through the court process rather than simply settle for the first offer by the insurance company.
How the Right Local Lawyer Maximizes Your Recovery
Maximizing a Virginia claim has nothing to do with big talk; rather, it is about overcoming the “1%” defense, showing the complete extent of the damage incurred, choosing the appropriate forum, and being prepared to take your case to trial should an insurance company not deal fairly with you. We, the Heavy Hitters, have a presence in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, and long-standing ties to areas throughout Virginia. We provide local support all over Virginia.
Speak with a Local Virginia Car Accident Lawyer at Tatum & Atkinson
Although Virginia has strict laws surrounding personal injury claims, hiring the right local attorney can help level the playing field with your insurance company. Knowing why it is important to hire a local Virginia lawyer for automobile accidents lies in the fact that with local help, you can easily go through Virginia’s court system and avoid the 1% traps often used by Insurance Companies against people making claims.
At Tatum & Atkinson, Jon Ward is a Virginia-licensed attorney who processes these complicated claims from our Cedar Bluff, Virginia Office. There is no cost to find out where you stand on a claim.
Call (800) 529-0804 today for a free consultation. We work on contingency, and because Virginia’s deadlines are short, acting fast protects your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Does my lawyer have to be licensed in Virginia?
An attorney must have licensure from the Commonwealth of Virginia if they are going to file and represent you in a Virginia Court. This is one of the main reasons “local” is important, and why having your case represented by a lawyer admitted in Virginia is important.
Can an out-of-state lawyer handle my Virginia accident?
If you have a lawyer from outside of Virginia, you can partner with local counsel for your case. But will not have the benefit of the local experience of an attorney who knows that area’s courts, judges, and insurance companies.
What does it cost to hire a local Virginia accident lawyer?
Usually, there is no cost to start the process. Cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning we do not charge for our services unless we recover something for you. We also do not charge a consultation fee.
How soon after a crash should I call?
The earlier the better. Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations for the filing of a lawsuit, and its 1% rule means that if you wait too long to begin your investigation, it becomes more difficult to prove who was at fault as time passes.
