Norfolk Car Accident Attorneys

Car accidents are among the leading causes of serious, catastrophic injury and death in the United States. 

Some of the most common types of injuries resulting from car accidents include: 

• Broken bones/bone fractures
• Bruises, contusions, abrasions, and lacerations
• Head, shoulder, and neck injuries 
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Traumatic amputation 
• Whiplash 

These and other car accident-related injuries can have a serious impact on the victim’s life, as well as the lives of their loved ones. By filing a personal injury claim, the victim can seek fair compensation for their injury-related damages so that they can begin to heal. 

Determining Fault in Your Virginia Car Accident Claim

Virginia is one of very few states to still follow the strict rule of contributory negligence. Under this rule, you may not recover compensation after an accident for which you were even minorly at fault. If the insurance adjuster argues that you were just one percent to blame, you could be barred from recovering compensation for your injuries and related damages. For this reason, it is extremely important that you work with an experienced car accident lawyer who can prove the fault of the other driver (or another third party). 

To determine fault in your car accident claim, our team may: 

• Work with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the crash occurred 
• Evaluate evidence from the scene of the accident, such as tire marks 
• Get your account of what happened and talk to any eyewitnesses who saw the crash
• Review images or video footage (if available) from the crash 
• Engage in the testimony of expert witnesses with expertise in this area

We know how to build powerful, evidence-based claims for our clients. Our meticulous approach to case preparation and our aggressive client advocacy have helped us recover millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts. 

Damages in Car Accident Claims

The potential value of your claim depends on many factors, but there are certain types of damages you may be entitled to recover, depending on the specific details of your case. 

Common damages in car accident claims include:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Past, current, and future pain and suffering
• Past, current, and future lost income/wages
• Loss of earning ability/inability to obtain gainful employment
• Emotional distress and trauma 
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses associated with the accident 

Though rare, punitive damages can also be recovered if it can be proven that the defendant acted with gross negligence, egregious misconduct, or intent to cause injury or harm.

Insurance & Car Accidents

In Virginia, all motorists must carry car insurance with the following minimum coverage amounts:

• Bodily injury or death of one person: $25,000
• Bodily injury or death of two or more people: $50,000
• Property damage: $20,000

If you do not have insurance, you must pay a $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee to the DMV every time you renew your vehicle registration. This fee does not provide you with any insurance coverage; it only allows you to legally drive an uninsured car at your own risk.

Anytime you are involved in a car accident, you must report it to your insurance company as soon as possible. Although you’d think that the insurance company will pay you what you are owed as an accident victim, this is rarely the case. In fact, without an experienced Norfolk, VA car accident attorney on your side, you will most likely be offered a mere fraction of the compensation you are truly entitled to.

Insurance companies will look for any excuse to minimize or deny your claim, using various tactics to avoid payment, such as:

• Making an early settlement offer that is much less than you deserve
• Suggesting your injuries were not from the car accident
• Saying you were at fault for the car accident
• Downplaying your injuries
• Hiding the fact that you are owed additional applicable coverage
• Delaying negotiations for so long that you give up and accept their meager settlement

Before you accept any kind of payment offer from an insurance company, consult with one of our experienced Norfolk car accident lawyers. We can help you determine the true value of your claim.

Hiring a car accident attorney in Norfolk does not necessarily mean your case will go to court. In many instances, insurance companies will bend as soon as they discover you have an attorney on your side. At Kalfus & Nachman PC, we know how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and fight for your right to fair compensation. We will calculate the full amount of damages you are entitled to, and we won’t back down until you receive a settlement, or a verdict, that is in your best interest.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Norfolk, Virginia

If you are involved in a car accident, the most important thing is to remain calm. You may be disoriented, even if you did not lose consciousness. If anyone involved in your motor vehicle accident is injured, you should call an ambulance (9-1-1). If there are no injuries, here are some things you should do:

• Contact the police. Officers will take statements and investigate the way each vehicle came to rest to piece together what happened. They will want witness testimony, so if anyone saw the accident, be sure to get their contact information so the police can call them later. Remain at the scene of the accident until the police have come and gone. Make sure you write down the name of the officer who took your report. Also, write down your version of what happened while it is fresh in your mind.
• Don't admit fault. Never admit fault to anyone; not the other party and not the police. However, be sure not to fabricate the truth no matter how embarrassing. If you change your story later, this may hurt your ability to win damages.
• Take notes, and more. If the car accident is minor and there are no injuries, the police may not arrive on the scene. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to document the scene. Take photographs with a camera or cell phone and write a detailed recollection of how the accident occurred. Be sure to photograph any pertinent obstructions, weather conditions, debris or landscape that may have impacted your accident.
• Conduct interviews. Gather the names, addresses, driver's license and insurance information with every other driver. Also, write down the names and contact information of any witnesses and passengers involved.
• Review your insurance policy to see what it covers. Carefully review the “declarations” page, which lists the types and dollar limits of your coverage. Pay close attention to any discounts or special provisions that you have purchased, and make a list of questions for a car accident lawyer.

Emergency Kit to Keep in Your Vehicle

It is a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle in case of an accident. Your kit should contain:

• A pen and paper for taking notes
• A disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene
• A card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries
• A list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies
• A flashlight to assess damage at night
• A set of cones, warning triangles or flares to warn other drivers if you cannot move your vehicle quickly off the road

How to Choose a Norfolk Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a car accident in Norfolk, VA, you may be overwhelmed, frightened and confused as to what to do next. Even though you have suffered a traumatic event, it is important to consider legal matters that may affect the rest of your life.

If you were injured and cannot go back to work, you will need money to pay the bills and take care of yourself and your family. For this reason, it is crucial to choose a Norfolk car accident attorney who will give you individualized attention and work diligently to get you the financial compensation you need and deserve to cover the expenses resulting from the car accident.

If you are looking for a Norfolk car accident lawyer, the best place to start is by contacting the local Bar Association in your area. The Bar Association maintains a list of responsible attorneys and will be able to recommend a good personal injury lawyer to you.

You can also:

• Ask friends and family if they know of a good law firm
• Look at websites of local attorneys
• Schedule consultations with a few different firms
• Ask about the law firm's success with cases similar to yours
• Ask about the lawyers' experience and education

You should feel you can trust the lawyer you choose. During your initial consultation, the attorney should make you feel like your case is as important as anyone else's. The lawyer you consult with should explain how the case will be handled and explain to you whether or not you have a valid car accident claim.

Regardless of how you find your car accident attorney, make sure that he or she puts you at ease, listens to your needs and seems sincere about trying to help you. Before doing anything, your personal injury attorney should listen carefully to your account of what happened, taking detailed notes and then suggesting a course of action. Sometimes a lawsuit is not the appropriate response to an injury, and your injury attorney should not only be able to admit that to you but also be able to suggest alternative solutions.

How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You with Your Case

At Kalfus & Nachman PC, we help our clients with every aspect of the legal process. We know that this is a difficult time in your life, which is why we take the time to meet with you, listen to your story, and share how we can help you move forward. 
As your legal team, we are committed to advocating for you and the fair compensation you deserve. We can put together a case on your behalf, communicate with the insurance company so you don’t have to, negotiate for a fair settlement, and, if necessary, represent you at trial. 

For a free, no-obligation consultation, call (855) 880-8163 today.