Car Accident Lawyer Hampton, VA

Car accidents are life-altering, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma and financial hardship. Pursuing a car accident claim helps you recover necessary compensation for medical treatments, lost wages, and other damages resulting from an accident. However, navigating the legal system is complex and overwhelming, especially when you should be prioritizing healing. 

Contacting an experienced Hampton car accident lawyer at Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, is one of the most important steps to protecting your legal rights. With over 40 years of award-winning legal experience, we have the resources and skills to handle your case, regardless of size or scope. We understand the difficulties you can face after a car accident in Hampton, VA, so we support you every step of the way.  

Why Should You Hire a Hampton Car Accident Lawyer?

A Hampton car accident lawyer is instrumental in helping you pursue a successful claim for damages resulting from a car accident by guiding you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected, and maximizing your potential compensation. At Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, you increase your chances of obtaining a fair and just outcome while focusing on your physical and emotional recovery. 

We help the success of your car accident claim in the following ways: 

  • Gathering evidence like police reports, medical records and employment records
  • Answering all your legal questions
  • Filing your claim timely and otherwise properly 
  • Negotiating with insurance companies
  • Determining who is liable for your injuries
  • Calculating your damages
  • Utilizing resources like medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists
  • Taking your case to trial if necessary
  • Researching medical and technical literature

With our trustworthy and knowledgeable lawyer by your side, you rest assured that we do our best to obtain the best possible outcome out of court or go to trial if necessary. We will fight to do what is best for you and your interests and to make the legal process as stress-free as possible.

Liability in Hampton Car Accident Cases

Car accidents occur instantly, causing shock and adrenaline to cloud essential details, such as whose negligence caused the accident. Depending on the circumstances, one or more of the following parties can be liable for the collision: 

  • Another motorist: If a negligent driver violated a duty of care by failing to follow traffic laws, such as by driving under the influence, they can be liable for your injuries.
  • Pedestrians: If a pedestrian did not follow walking signals, jaywalked, or otherwise failed to abide by other VA traffic laws, they can be liable for injuries. 
  • Bicyclists: A bicyclist is liable if he or she did not abide by traffic laws, or otherwise failed to operate his or her bike with a duty of care.
  • A government agency or other entity: If poor road conditions were a primary or contributory factor that resulted in an accident, the government agency or another entity that owns the road faces liability.
  • An employer: If a driver was working when he or she caused the accident, his or her employer is be responsible.

In addition to identifying a liable party, we also help gather evidence to prove the party caused the accident. Examples of evidence include the following: 

  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Photographs or video footage
  • Witness testimony

At Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, we understand that when someone is injured in an accident, they need help fast. That is why our experienced legal team will work hard to resolve your case as quickly and efficiently as possible while still giving you the personal attention you deserve. We know how stressful it can be after a serious injury, so we keep things simple and straightforward for our clients every step of the way.

What Types of Compensation Are Available?

For a car accident, several different types of damages can be recovered by a plaintiff. Most forms of compensation usually fall under economic and non-economic damages, including the following:

  • Pain, suffering, and inconvenience 
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Continuing disability and limitations
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages from missed work
  • Mental anguish

Lastly, although rare, there are punitive damages. While economic and non-economic damages are meant to make the victim whole, punitive damages are used to punish the defendant and to deter such misconduct. 

What to Do if You Are Offered a Settlement

While some car accident cases will go to court, the vast majority are settled before even seeing a courtroom. Taking a case to court takes a lot of time, money, risk, and emotion for both parties. That is why insurance companies usually try to settle before going to court. However, just because you receive a settlement offer does not mean the fight is over. 

Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies will try to take advantage of victims with a quick “low-ball” offer. Despite the lure of a settlement at first glance, chances are that the first settlement will not cover all your expenses. You also must account for mounting medical bills, future expenses, and any other lasting impacts.

That is why an experienced Hampton car accident lawyer is invaluable. Insurance companies know that without suitable representation, you are clueless, bound to become desperate and burdened by financial and emotional woes and, thus, more likely to accept a low offer. With an attorney on your side, you apply legal pressure and negotiate a better settlement.

Your Hampton car accident attorney also advises you if the settlement you are being offered is realistic and if you have enough reasons to hold out for a better settlement. Because the insurance companies do not want to go to court either, there is a good chance they will start increasing their settlement offer for your lawyer.

Consult a Seasoned Hampton Car Accident Lawyer at Waterman Law Centers, PLLC

After being injured in a car accident, it is difficult to know where to turn for help. Our award-winning lawyer at Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, has over 40 years of premier service helping car accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve after being injured in a car accident. 

Avery T. “Sandy” Waterman Jr., Esq. is named in The Best Lawyers In America for Personal Injury for 2007-2023, and voted its “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury in 2023 by his peers in Southeast Virginia; and Waterman Law Centers is listed as a Metropolitan Tier 1 Best Law Firm for Personal Injuryt in U.S. News & World Report for 2021-2023.

With our proven track record of success, we will work fiercely to obtain the best possible outcome for your case. Schedule a complimentary consultation today by calling (757) 906-4707 or filling out our contact form