How Can a Hampton Car Accident Lawyer Help You?

Those who survive car accidents may have catastrophic injuries that need specialist care and life-long support. An experienced car accident attorney can help you secure funds for your future.

There are millions of car accidents every year in the United States, causing financial hardship, severe injuries, and tens of thousands of deaths. In order to cover your losses and the cost of care going forward, you may require legal representation to negotiate with insurance companies or file a lawsuit.

The Smith Law Center is one of Virginia’s oldest and most successful firms, founded in 1949 by Joseph Smith and his sons, Stephen and Howard Smith. We have unique experience in spinal cord and traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, two of the most common injuries due to car accidents. We know what our clients and their families need after a life-altering crash, and we have a proven record of securing vital and substantial compensation in court — over $1 billion for our clients in total.

If you need an experienced car accident attorney in Hampton, Virginia, surrounding states, or nationwide, contact the Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 as soon as possible. We’re here with the advice you need and may be able to begin representing you right away in the crucial moments after a car accident.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident Case?

There is no “average” settlement for a car accident. This is because each case is decided based on the severity of a person’s injuries and symptoms, plus their unique losses and needs going forward. Compensation could cover:

• Medical bills for emergency, surgical, and long-term care or physical therapy
• Lost wages and future earnings for those who missed work, lost jobs, or lost the ability to return to their career
• Pain and suffering costs, including the physical pain of injuries and the psychological trauma of serious accidents (depression, anxiety, and PTSD)

Wrongful death claims may also be filed by the family members of someone who died due to a crash. Car accident lawsuits that go to trial may involve funds known as “punitive damages.” These may be charged to the other side to punish them for extraordinarily unsafe behavior, like racing on highways or antagonizing other drivers. Those funds may be awarded to you and your family as additional compensation.

The Smith Law Center has secured the following results for our car accident clients:

• $7.5 million in a jury case for a woman who suffered a brain injury
• $4.75 million from a company defendant for a librarian with a mild TBI
• $4.1 million for a school principal who sustained a mild TBI

The Smith Law Center has unique experience in litigating brain injury cases due to founder Stephen M. Smith’s background in neuroanatomical science. Head, brain, neck, and spinal cord injuries are among the most common injuries caused by car accidents. Hiring a lawyer knowledgeable in the true cost of long-term injuries, with the ability to prove those amounts in court, is essential to your family’s recovery.

Testimonial: Mr. Smith did everything he promised and more. He comforted me when I was worried, and fought hard for me. He was my friend. I have already recommended a co-worker to The Smith Law Center and will speak very highly of your firm when asked about my case for years to come. Mr. Smith is truly an asset to your firm, as he is a terrific person and attorney. Thanks for excellent representation. – Sincerely yours, Joe

What Is the Most Dangerous Road in Virginia?

The Hampton auto accident attorneys at the Smith Law Center are unfortunately familiar with the most dangerous road in Virginia, and the leading factors that cause fatalities and injuries in our state:

• The stretch of highway between from Exit 261A and 264 on Virginia’s I-64 is the deadliest portion of road in the state. In just two years, 11 fatal accidents occurred there.
• Drunk driving was a factor in over 30% of local fatal crashes, with speeding a factor in over 28%.
• Virginia ranks as the 11th worst state for distracted driving fatalities with nearly 14% of fatal crashes involving distracted drivers.
• The state’s deadliest county is Fairfax County, located near the busy hub of Washington D.C.
• October is the deadliest month with the most fatal accidents in our state. That falls directly in prime leaf-peeping season, and is the beginning of snowy and icy road conditions.

Coastal cities like Hampton draw tourism from out-of-state drivers during dangerous weather seasons. An experienced Hampton auto accident lawyer will be aware of these important local factors, and build the strongest possible case for you and your family to obtain justice.

How Do I Choose a Hampton Car Accident Attorney?

Choosing the best Hampton-area car accident lawyer for you will likely hinge on three key factors:

1. Proven experience: Has this attorney won cases for your accident or injury before? Are they willing to go to trial for the maximum amount if your case cannot be settled in negotiations? Ask for recent examples of cases like yours, or look for a case results or client reviews page on their website.
2. Local accessibility: Can you meet with this attorney in a nearby office, or are they willing to come to you? A lawyer in your area will be familiar with Virginia state laws and how to calculate losses for the local courts your case will be decided in.
3. Payment arrangement: Does the law firm expect you to pay upfront, or do they have a contingency fee plan? At the Smith Law Center, we work on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee if we are successful in winning compensation for you. This means the filing fees, investigations, and court appearances that go into building a strong case on your behalf are done at no cost to you if we do not win your case.

When you hire a lawyer, you should feel relieved that your case is in the hands of a diligent professional who will keep you up to date with their investigation, the timeline of the case, and the decisions that need to be made. Contact us at (757) 244-7000 to discuss your options with a compassionate, proven team.

How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take?

A car accident lawsuit may take anywhere from several months to a year or more. The timeline for your unique case will depend on the availability of the evidence, and how willing the other side is to negotiate.

The lawyers at the Smith Law Center will do their own independent investigation of a Hampton-area car accident. This includes potentially visiting the scene of the wreck itself, inspecting the vehicles, and interviewing witnesses and other drivers or passengers. We build your case as if we’re going all the way to trial, but most cases we’re able to settle out of court for a substantial amount that fairly compensates your injuries, losses, and ongoing care needs.

A pre-trial settlement has the benefit of allowing you to move on as soon as possible after an accident. However, if your case does go to trial, judges and juries have the power to greatly increase the amount you receive; at that point it’s no longer a negotiation, it’s a court-mandated order that they pay what you’re owed. 

If there’s a choice to settle or go to trial, you will always be empowered to make the decision that’s best for you and your family. We are here to advise and serve on your behalf, and carry out your wishes.

Contact Experienced Hampton Car Accident Lawyers

To put it simply, a car accident attorney is going to protect your best interests while you recover in peace. Your losses deserve to be recognized and compensated, and your attorney will go to bat for you so that you can properly heal. 

At the Smith Law Center, we are a multi-generational family-run personal injury law firm headquartered in Hampton. We have a combined 300+ years of legal experience. We are internationally recognized specifically for our work with catastrophic injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries caused during serious car accidents. We have achieved record-breaking results for our clients, including the largest slip-and-fall case ever awarded in Virginia, and the largest verdict ever rendered in South Carolina. We are more than just your attorneys, we are your advocates.

Compensation from a car accident lawsuit can help cover the financial stress that often ensues after a wreck, improve the quality of the healthcare you can afford, and improve your future comfort and opportunities. Contact us at (757) 244-7000 — we will put the full force of our experience at your service. 

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