Accidents can happen at any time, even when you are a careful, risk avoiding type of person. It is hard to predict just when someone’s negligence will result in you being injured.
If this happens injuries can become very expensive, so it may be wise to consider talking to a personal injury attorney about the possibility of filing a claim for compensation from the person or organization whose actions caused your injuries.
Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney in Chesapeake
If you need a personal injury attorney in Chesapeake you certainly have plenty of choices. There are around 250 attorneys in the city who are able to offer legal advice and help for personal injury victims. It is always wise to select a licensed attorney who has had a successful record of dealing with personal injury cases in Virginia.
Typical Injuries in Chesapeake
Although there are many reasons why you could end up with unexpected injuries, there are certain types of accidents that happen more frequently than others. Note that accidents that happen at work are usually covered by workers’ compensation cover rather than personal injury compensation unless your employer does not have this type of insurance.
The most common accidents in Chesapeake that cause injuries serious enough for a personal injury claim are road accidents. Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents together account for around 10% of personal injuries, according to the National Center for Health Statistics*.
Slip, trip and fall injuries are almost as common as traffic accidents, but the number of really serious injuries and fatalities are not so high. Slip, trip and fall accidents, however, can happen just about anywhere. Slippery floors, loose carpets, uneven sidewalks and poor lighting are common reasons for avoidable Chesapeake personal injuries.
The Personal Injury Claim Process in Virginia
It is best to get the personal injury claim process rolling as soon as you are able to do so after an injury that was not your fault. The state imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims against a private individual or organization of two years from the date of the injury, but claims should preferably be filed much sooner than that.
If your injuries were caused by a Chesapeake city or state government employee or agency, then the personal injury process can be more difficult, but not impossible. The statute of limitation for all claims against the government is six months from the date of the injury.
There is no cap on personal injury compensation payments in Virginia with the exception of medical malpractice claims, which are capped at 2 million dollars. The main limitation on personal injury claims in Virginia is that it has a strict law of contributory negligence. That means that if a court finds you even only slightly to blame for an accident, then you will be denied compensation.
Personal injury claims in Chesapeake may be filed with the Chesapeake Circuit Court in Albemarle Street. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday except public holidays.
Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Personal Injury Attorney
It is best to start the process of filing a claim as early as possible considering the time limit on claims imposed by the state’s statute of limitations. Finding a personal injury attorney may seem an easy task with 250 of them available in Chesapeake, but who is the best attorney to take on your case? That’s where our free claim evaluation form comes in handy. You can use it to select a Chesapeake attorney who will help you file your claim.
*Source: bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=45
