Personal Injury Attorneys in Fairfax, VA
Have you been injured in an accident, lost wages while recovering from an injury, or otherwise suffered serious losses because of someone else’s negligence? If so, you may have a valid personal injury claim against the negligent party. Personal injury claims give victims the opportunity to recoup their financial losses and get the support they need to heal.
At Olmstead & Olmstead, we know how difficult this time must be for you and we sympathize with your struggles. We also recognize that navigating this process is a challenge in itself—you may already have insurance companies calling you and trying to push for a settlement, even as you try to figure out what your next step is.
We’ll work with you every step of the way so you can understand your options, focus on your recovery, and make the choice that best fits your needs. Our goal is to hold the liable party accountable for the harm they’ve caused you and fight for the compensation you deserve. To set up a consultation to talk more about your claim, call Olmstead & Olmstead at 703-361-1555.
Our team handles a wide variety of personal injury claims. Some of the cases we take include:
- Car accidents in Fairfax, VA
- Fairfax truck accidents
- Truck accidents in Fairfax County
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Slip and fall accidents in Fairfax, VA
Why You Need an Attorney for Your Fairfax, VA Personal Injury
Injuries, even minor ones, are expensive. You have to consider the cost of medical services, the time you spend away from work, property damage, and other expenses caused by your accident. Who’s going to pay for those? Unless you successfully hold the other party accountable for their actions, those expenses are going to be your responsibility.
However, holding the liable party accountable isn’t as easy as it sounds. Chances are, you’ll be going through their insurance company, not working with them directly. And insurance companies are very good at shifting blame and deflecting criticism.
You might call them to give them your side of the story, only to find out that they’ve found a way to blame you once you’re done. You might send over evidence of your injuries and expenses, only for them to ask if those injuries are really from the accident. By the time you’ve gone a few rounds with them, you’re looking at a paltry settlement or no settlement at all.
A personal injury attorney in Fairfax, VA can help you avoid these mistakes and fight for a settlement you truly deserve. At Olmstead & Olmstead, we know exactly how insurance adjusters work and what they do to play as little as possible on their claims. That means we also know how to avoid these tricks and fight for our clients.
You have enough on your plate right now, and we want to lessen your load. Instead of dodging calls from insurance companies and trying to figure out how expensive your injuries are going to be, let us handle the legal side of your accident. You focus on recovering and resting. We’ll help you understand your options and make the best choice for you.
Personal Injury Claim Timeline
There’s a lot that goes into a Fairfax County personal injury claim, which is why it’s important to keep in touch with your lawyer throughout the process. They can help you understand where you are, how long it will take to reach a resolution, and what to expect next. Personal injury claims follow these basic steps:
- Investigating your claim. Before your attorney can figure out how much your claim is worth and how much you’re likely to recover, they need to know the facts of your case. They will ask questions about your accident, look at the evidence you’ve gathered, talk to eyewitnesses, and use other strategies to get a full understanding of your accident. When you initially meet with your attorney, bring along any evidence you have, such as photographs, video footage, a police report, and medical reports.
- Negotiating with the insurance company. Once your attorney feels like they have a clear understanding of your injuries and how they happened, they will draft a demand letter to the liable party’s insurance company. This will include relevant evidence regarding your injuries, evidence regarding liability, and proof of the losses you’ve sustained. The insurance company will respond by either refusing to negotiate or beginning negotiations. Negotiations often last multiple rounds, so don’t be worried if your attorney has to keep communicating with them. Both sides want to get the best possible outcome.
- Reaching a settlement or proceeding with a lawsuit. If both parties agree with a settlement offer, the claim is closed. Anything you owe from your claims, such as medical expenses paid by health insurance or car insurance, is taken out first. Your attorney’s fees are also taken out and then the remainder goes to you. If no agreement can be reached, your attorney may move forward with a lawsuit.
Getting Fair Compensation
The goal of your personal injury claim is to get full and fair compensation for what you lost in the accident. However, compensation is generally broken down into several categories. This makes it easier for both sides to see where the money is going and what it is meant to reimburse. Depending on your injuries and the severity of your accident, you may receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance fees, prescription costs, surgical expenses, travel to and from medical appointments, and more
- Lost wages and possibly future lost income if your injuries will keep you out of work permanently
- Property damage, especially in car accident claims
- Pain and suffering, which varies based on the severity of your injuries and how much they affect your daily life
The key to getting a full and fair settlement for your injuries is hiring a personal injury attorney you can trust with your claim.
Discuss Your Options with Olmstead & Olmstead
At Olmstead & Olmstead, we fight aggressively on behalf of every single client. We know how unfair it is to lose your financial stability over an accident you didn’t cause, and we want to hold the liable party accountable. Let’s talk about your case and how we can help you. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 703-361-1555 or filling out our online contact form.