Auto Accidents

While automobiles are important tools that provide us with freedom of movement, the ability to transport goods and products, and a way to get from one place to the other, there is no denying that these huge pieces of machinery are incredibly dangerous, too. Especially when occurring at high speeds, auto accidents can leave victims with devastating, and sometimes fatal, injuries that change the course of their lives.

When a car crash leaves a driver or passenger with serious injuries, medical expenses, property damage, and psychological harm, it is important that they understand the process for recovering compensation and filing a car accident claim. At the law offices of Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C., our talented auto accident attorneys are well versed in car accident and insurance laws, and can provide competent legal counsel for anyone injured in a car accident.

Types of Auto Accident Cases We Handle

We handle accident cases caused by or involving all types of automobiles, including trucks, SUVs, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles. We have helped clients involved in the following accident types recover the compensation they very much need:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Side-swipe crashes
• T-bone accidents
• Left turn/right turn crashes
• Intersection collisions
• High speed accidents

We also have experience working with victims of accidents caused by distracted drivers and intoxicated drivers. If your case is particularly complex, involves more than one at-fault party, or if your accident has left you with permanent and disabling injuries, we are the legal team for you.

How to Determine Fault in an Auto Accident

Because Virginia is an at-fault car insurance state, drivers are responsible for paying for the accidents that they cause, typically through their bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, both of which are required in the state. In order for a claim to be paid and an injured, not-at-fault party to recover the compensation they deserve, however, fault or liability must first be established.

Establishing liability in a crash can be difficult to do, especially when each driver involved insists that the other was to blame. For this reason, hiring an attorney with auto accident investigation experience is in your best interest. Our attorneys know how to collect evidence and determine fault, including analyzing all sources of evidence such as:

• Witnesses’ testimonies
• Police reports
• Physical evidence at the scene
• Skid marks, debris, etc.
• Angles of impact on vehicles
• Video or camera footage

We can also request electronic control module data for vehicles, and hire accident reconstruction experts who can get to the bottom of what happened. We have the resources and relationships necessary to perform a thorough investigation into your accident.

What If I’m in a Crash with an Uninsured Driver?

Because an at-fault driver’s liability insurance is responsible for paying for your damages when you are involved in a crash, a crash with an uninsured driver can make recovering compensation for your losses very difficult. The necessary course of action that must be pursued to recover compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured will depend upon the circumstances, although most of the time injured parties turn to their own policy’s uninsured/underinsured coverage for compensation. If you do not have this type of insurance, or if it is not enough to pay for the full value of your losses, you may consider filing a suit directly against the at-fault driver. However, this is often futile, as the other driver may not have the economic means to pay your claim, even if a court sides in your favor.  Our lawyers help you to explore all avenues to recovery.

Can I File a Lawsuit After an Auto Accident?

Yes – tort liability laws hold that you can file a claim with an at-fault driver’s insurance company after a crash, or file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver. Typically, a lawsuit is not filed unless a settlement cannot be reached. The process usually goes something like this:

• Evidence is gathered regarding fault and damages
• A claim is filed with the insurance company
• A demand letter is sent to the insurance company, which details the amount of damages you have suffered and how much you are requesting in compensation
• The insurance company replies to your demand and offers a settlement
• You negotiate the settlement
• Settlement is reached and the claim is concluded

When a fair settlement cannot be reached, you can file a lawsuit and bring the case to court. If this happens, the court will decide whether or not the defendant owes you any compensation, and if so, how much.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

While recovering from your car accident may take months, it is important that you make sure you bring forth your claim within two years from the date of your accident. The two year time limit is the statute of limitations in Virginia for car accident cases, and if you breach it, you will be barred from recovering damages at all. While it can be difficult to do, we recommend calling our Virginia auto accident attorneys as soon as possible after a crash.

We Have What You Are Looking for in a Car Accident Attorney

Being involved in an auto accident is scary. We know that there are few things more terrifying than wondering what your life will look like in the future because your physical well-being, and your financial security, are up in the air. While we cannot change the awful fact that you have been in a car crash, we can provide you with some comfort moving forward. When you contact the experienced Virginia car accident attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead we will get to work on building your case and helping you recover the financial award you need.

Please do not wait any longer to contact us. We represent car accident victims and surviving family members. You can schedule your free consultation by calling us at 703-361-1555 or you can contact us online.