Woodbridge Car Accident Lawyer
Has a serious auto accident turned your life upside down? If so, you deserve the help of an experienced, dedicated, and caring Woodridge car accident attorney.
D. Michael Mullori, Jr., Attorney at Law has represented injury victims in Virginia for over two decades. Mike takes the time to understand your unique needs and concerns and explain your legal options. He can also help you get the medical care you need while he vigorously pursues the money you deserve, all without any upfront costs.
If you’re ready to speak with an experienced Woodbridge car accident lawyer, contact or call (703) 762-2142 Mike Mullori today and get started with a free consultation.
What Should I Do Right After a Car Accident?
Being in a car accident can be disorienting and traumatic. However, taking the proper steps immediately afterward can protect your health and rights. Here’s what you should do:
- Ensure Your Safety – Your immediate priority should be your well-being. If it’s possible and safe, move your vehicle out of traffic. If moving the vehicle is impossible, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the accident and then walk to the side of the roadway.
- Check on Others – Once you’ve seen to your own safety, check on the condition of your passengers and anyone else involved in the crash. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.
- Notify the Police – Report the incident to the police, even if the accident seems relatively minor. The police will create an official report which can be helpful when filing your insurance claim or if you need to take legal action. They can secure the scene and direct traffic in a serious accident to avoid a subsequent collision.
- Document the Scene – If it’s safe, take photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, and any relevant road conditions or signs. These could serve as valuable evidence of what happened and how.
- Gather Information – Get all drivers’ names, contact information, and insurance information. Also, note their vehicles’ make, model, and license plate numbers. If anyone else saw the accident, ask for their contact information.
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if you don’t think you’re injured, getting a medical check-up is crucial. Some injuries may not become apparent immediately after the crash. Moreover, it shows that you’re taking your health and recovery seriously, which can be vital as you pursue a car accident claim.
- Notify Your Insurance Provider – Inform your insurance company about the accident immediately. Be honest but stick to the facts and avoid speculating about the accident.
- Be Careful What You Say – Avoid admitting fault or assigning blame at the accident scene. Even a simple “I’m sorry” could be used against you as an admission of fault. Respond to questions from law enforcement, but avoid speculating or saying more than necessary.
Finally, consult with a car accident law firm in Woodbridge as soon as possible. An attorney can review your case, determine who is responsible, and pursue compensation on your behalf.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that someone else caused, that person might owe you compensation for the harm you suffered. A Woodbridge car accident attorney can help you claim money for the following:
- Medical bills and expenses, including past and future emergency room visits, surgeries, medication, ongoing treatments, and rehabilitative care
- Lost wages, including tips, commission, bonuses, and benefits you lose while unable to work because of your injuries
- Diminished future earning potential if your injuries affect your career
- Pain and suffering, which covers the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced as a result of the accident
- Loss of consortium, a term describing the effects your injuries have on your relationship with your spouse
- Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement, or reimbursement for any other property damaged in the auto wreck
How a Woodbridge, VA, Lawyer Can Help with Car Accident Claims
A car accident lawyer in Woodbridge, VA, can be a critical ally in your fight for fair compensation. You have enough to worry about without handling the legal details of your case. Moreover, an experienced attorney has the skills and resources to go up against insurance companies and defense attorneys.
While you recover, your attorney can:
- Investigate the auto collision and determine who is to blame
- Work with experts to calculate the value of your case
- File demand letters and handle the other paperwork of your claim
- Negotiate forcefully with the insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Take your case to court if it becomes the best way to pursue maximum compensation
Best of all, most car accident injury and personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they won’t charge you a fee unless they win. Not only does this mean their services come at no upfront cost to you, but it motivates them to get as much money as they can on your behalf.
What If I Am Partially at Fault for the Car Accident?
Virginia’s “pure contributory negligence” system bars accident victims from seeking compensation if they are to blame for the accident that led to their injuries. In other words, the other party must be 100 percent at fault for the car accident, or else you cannot pursue compensation. That’s why it’s critical to work with a car accident attorney in Woodbridge who understands the law and can prove that the other party is responsible for your injuries and other losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Virginia?
Virginia’s statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit after a car wreck. You typically have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. Filing after the deadline could lead to the court throwing out your car accident case regardless of its underlying merits, meaning you will lose your chance to seek compensation in civil court. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to avoid any issues with meeting critical deadlines.
What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents?
To determine the leading causes of car accidents and how to prevent them, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a groundbreaking study using a representative national sample of almost 5,500 accidents over 2½ years. The agency determined that most collisions are the fault of one or more of the drivers involved. Specifically, it found that:
- Over 40 percent were caused by recognition errors, such as inattention, distractions both inside and outside the vehicle, and inadequate surveillance.
- Nearly 35 percent were caused by decision errors, such as driving aggressively or speeding.
- Performance errors like overcompensating or poor directional control caused 10 percent.
What Are the Different Types of Car Accidents?
Some of the different types of car accidents Mike Mullori sees in the cases he handles include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact crashes
- Head-on impacts
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- Single-car accidents
- Hit-and-runs
- Vehicle rollovers
- Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents
- Uninsured motorist accidents
- Drunk driver accidents
What Are Common Injuries from Car Accidents?
Car accidents can result in various injuries, from minor to life-threatening. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns
- Cuts and abrasions
- Traumatic amputation and loss of limb
Additionally, the trauma of a car crash can leave victims with mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Who Can Be Held at Fault in a Car Accident?
Determining fault in a motor vehicle accident involves evaluating the underlying facts and circumstances of the collision. The most common way to establish fault in a car accident is through the legal concept of negligence — that is, the failure to behave in such a way as to prevent others from being harmed.
Here are some of the parties that might be found negligent or otherwise held responsible:
- Other drivers
- Pedestrians, bicyclists, or other road users
- Employers of commercial vehicle drivers
- Government entities
- Vehicle manufacturers
How Long Does It Take for a Car Accident Claim to Settle?
Every car accident claim has a unique timeline based on the underlying facts of the case. Relatively simple cases may settle in a few months, while more complicated ones can take years. Some of the factors that can affect this timeline include the following:
- The severity and recovery time of your injuries
- Whether the other party or their insurer disputes fault
- The strength of your evidence
- How willing the insurance company is to negotiate
- The skill and experience level of your attorney
- Whether your case goes to trial
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Woodbridge, VA, Today
If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you deserve compensation — and there’s no time to waste in demanding it. Contact or call (703) 762-2142 Mike Mullori today for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Woodbridge, VA.
For over 20 years, Mike has represented injury victims in Virginia and helped them pursue fair compensation. Get an experienced, dedicated, and caring advocate on your side.
Call for a free consultation