If you or someone you love was hurt, you have legal rights.
Our Richmond car accident lawyers can help you understand and protect your rights so you can get the justice you deserve.
Monge & Associates Injury Lawyers are uniquely qualified to represent you throughout your case, give us a call today at (888) 477-0597 to schedule a free consultation with a Richmond personal injury lawyer.
No Fees Unless We Win
You Didn’t Ask to Be Hit – But You CAN Fight Back
Why Choose Monge & Associates Injury Lawyers
The attorney that you hire can have a major impact on the outcome of your car accident case. You only get one chance to recover compensation, so it’s important that your attorney takes your case as seriously as you do.
At Monge & Associates, we focus solely on personal injury law and have a demonstrated history of getting results for our clients.
- Our extensive legal experience. We have been representing car accident victims since 1993, so we know the law. What’s more, insurers know our firm and how seriously we take our pursuit of justice. All of this means you get an experienced lawyer who can maximize your chances of negotiating a successful settlement or representing you in court.
- Our past satisfied clients. Our firm has thousands of five-star reviews. Past car accident victims have praised not just our legal skills, but also our compassion. Like clients that have come before, you won’t be just another case number – we’re committed to getting the best outcome we can from a car accident case.
- Our history-making claims. Our firm has helped clients recover millions, including one notable case where a victim hurt by an inattentive delivery driver was awarded $40 million. The case is one of the largest verdicts in this type of claim in U.S. history. While the value of your claim is determined by your own injuries, this shows that we can maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
These are just some of the many reasons to choose our firm in your accident’s aftermath.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Richmond, Virginia
Monge & Associates Injury and Accident Lawyers has represented clients after many different types of auto accidents.
Here are some of the most common types of crashes we handle:
- Speeding: Drivers who go too fast both face a greater crash risk and are more likely to cause harm in a crash because of the added force caused by excessive speed. Showing a violation of a speed limit law is usually enough to prove that the driver was negligent and can be held liable for your losses.
- Reckless Driving: Reckless driving is illegal. It can include a variety of behaviors from excessive speeding to tailgating to running lights or weaving through traffic. A reckless driver can be held responsible for collisions caused by their unsafe behaviors.
- Drunk Driving: The BAC limit in Virginia is .08 and drivers above this limit can be arrested. Driving drunk also significantly increases the risk of a serious crash, which the impaired driver can be held liable for.
- Driving Under The Influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a violation of VA law and, again, this violation is usually enough to show the other driver was negligent. If the impaired driving was the direct cause of your crash, you should be entitled to damages.
- Distracted Driving: Whether a driver is on the phone,eating behind the wheel, or distracted by the radio, driving while focused on something other than the road increases the risk of a crash.
- Fatigued Driving: Driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as drunk driving, and it can also make the tired driver liable for accidents they cause.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Richmond
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s important to understand your obligations. Here’s what you need to do after a crash happens.
- Call 911 and report to Richmond Police Department: VA Code Section § 46.2-894 establishes a duty for drivers to stop at the crash scene after a crash. When the accident causes serious injuries or fatalities, it’s also important to call 911 for help.
- Seek medical attention at VCU Medical Center or nearby facilities: Anyone involved in a crash should get medical attention as the severity of your injuries isn’t always apparent immediately. You want your injuries document so you can prove that they were the result of the collision.
- Document the scene and gather witness information: You’ll need to be able to show how the crash happened if you want to collect compensation for it. Taking photos at the scene, getting witness contact details, and documenting the crash can be very important.
- Contact a Richmond car accident lawyer before speaking to insurance: Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible and will be looking for excuses to do so. Contacting a car accident lawyer before talking to the insurance company can help preserve your rights.
- Preserve evidence and avoid admitting fault: No matter what you think happened, don’t admit fault as there is a technical legal process for determining who is to blame for a crash.
Virginia Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
Since the law protects your right to recover compensation if another driver hurts you, it’s helpful to understand VA car accident laws that could affect your case.
Here’s what you need to know.
Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Virginia is one of just a few states that follows a pure contributory negligence rule.
Under this rule, if you’re even 1% responsible for your injuries, you can’t collect compensation from the other party who bears the majority of the blame.
Virginia’s last clear chance doctrine can help you to protect your case, though, if the defendant ultimately had the last clear opportunity to avoid the accident.
An experienced Richmond, VA car accident lawyer can help you to understand how these legal rules work and can take steps to help show how the defendant’s actions were ultimately the cause of your crash, thus making the defendant liable for your losses.
Virginia’s Statute of Limitations
Virginia Code Section 8.01-243 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims and a five-year statute of limitations for property damage cases.
This means you must make your claim within this time period to avoid having your claim be time-barred and not allowed to proceed.
Damages You Can Recover in a Richmond Car Accident Case
After a car accident, a defendant should make you whole or fully compensate you for losses. This means you should be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle replacement
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Monge & Associates Injury Lawyers can help you to prove the extent of your losses so you can recover for all of the damages you endured.
How a Richmond Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Monge & Associates Injury Lawyers will be there for you from day one, and our Richmond car accident lawyers will help with many important aspects of your claim, including the following.
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Our legal team can take steps to help you gather the necessary evidence to make a strong case.
This includes working with accident reconstruction specialists, finding expert witnesses, talking to eyewitnesses, obtaining police reports and surveillance footage, and more.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Many cases settle outside of court, but you don’t want to accept a settlement offer that is too low.
Our firm will handle negotiations so insurers take your case seriously, and we’ll bring our extensive experience to the table to fight for the best settlement offer possible.
Litigation and Trial Representation
In some situations, no fair settlement offer will be on the table.
Our team is ready to go to court and fight for you when that happens. We can file suit in Richmond Circuit Court, prepare your case, and present a compelling claim to a jury.
Not all lawyers have the necessary litigation experience to do that, but our team has a long history of court wins, so you can trust your case is in good hands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Richmond Car Accident Claims
Still need to know more? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Richmond car accident claims.
How much is my case worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the insurance coverage available, and many other factors. A Richmond car accident lawyer can provide a personalized assessment of what your case is worth.
How long will my case take?
Personal injury claims can take anywhere from several weeks to several years. Working with an attorney who can help negotiate a settlement will maximize the chances of a quick resolution.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
You can pursue a claim against another driver personally if they are uninsured, but that’s only worth doing if they have the assets to pay a judgment. You can make a claim with your uninsured motorist coverage if you have it, or explore whether others may be to blame for your accident and injuries, such as the manufacturer of a car with defective safety equipment.
Can I still recover if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?
You can still recover compensation even if you were not wearing a seatbelt, as failure to wear a seatbelt doesn’t bar your claim under Virginia law.
Contact a Richmond Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in an auto accident, reach out today to a Richmond, VA car accident lawyer at Monge & Associates.
Our legal team is ready to fight for you, so find out in your free consultation how we can help with every step of your auto accident claim.
Visit Our Richmond Office
7204 Glen Forest Dr Suite 200A
Richmond, VA 23226
(804) 315-3263