How Can A Newport News Car Accident Lawyer Help You?

After experiencing a car accident, you may have devastating injuries and may now require lifelong support. An experienced car accident attorney will fight for you and help you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Each year, there are millions of car accidents in the United States. These accidents can be catastrophic and can cause financial hardship, devastating injuries, and thousands of deaths.

If you have experienced a car accident and are now experiencing financial difficulties in covering the ongoing cost of your medical care, you may need legal representation. A car accident attorney can represent you, negotiate with insurance companies, file lawsuits, and fight to achieve the justice that you deserve.

The Smith Law Center is one of the most storied and successful law firms in Virginia. The firm was founded in 1949 by Joseph Smith and his sons Stephen and Howard Smith. The attorneys at the Smith Law Center have unique experience in spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These are two of the most common injuries that occur during car accidents. After a life-altering car accident, you or your family may need support, and the attorneys at the Smith Law Center have a proven record of securing substantial compensation in court.

If you need an experienced car accident attorney in the Newport News, Virginia area, contact the Smith Law Center online or by calling (757) 244-7000. We are here to help you with meaningful advice and may even be able to assist you in the crucial moments following a car accident.

What Is the Average Settlement a Newport News Accident Attorney Can Secure?

A car accident settlement will depend on a multitude of factors including the severity of a person’s injuries and the unique facts and circumstances surrounding the accident. There is no “average” settlement. A car accident attorney will be able to examine your case’s circumstances to determine what a proper settlement should be. Your settlement could cover: 

• Medical bills: including hospital visits, recurring therapy costs, costs of surgery, medication costs

• Lost wages: includes wages lost as a direct result of your accident as well as the diminished capacity to earn wages in the future

• Pain and suffering: compensation for emotional toll that your accident

Family members of someone who died in a car crash may also file a wrongful death lawsuit. Punitive damages may also be awarded in car accident cases. Punitive damages are awarded when the court wants to punish a particular type of malicious behavior. The purpose of these types of damages is to dissuade others from acting similarly in the future.

The Smith Law Center has been successful in securing multi-million awards for our clients. We have secured the following results for our car accidents clients:

• $7.5 million in a 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 is well experienced in litigating brain injury cases. Our founder, Stephen M. Smith has an extensive background in neuroanatomical science. Head trauma, brain injuries, whiplash, and spinal cord injuries are the most common injuries that occur during car accidents. Hiring a lawyer who is well-informed in the true cost of the long-term effect of car accident injuries will be essential to recovering the maximum amount of compensation for your case.

What Is the Most Dangerous Road in Virginia?

The Newport News car accident lawyers at the Smith Law Center are well acquainted with the most dangerous roadways in the state of Virginia. Some of the leading factors that cause car accident fatalities and injuries:

• The stretch of highway between Exit 261A and 264 on I-64 is the most deadly portion of the road in the entire state.
• Drunk driving was a factor in 1 out of every 3 fatal crashes in and around Newport News. Speeding was also a factor in 1 out of every 3 fatal accidents.
• Virginia ranks as the 11th worst state for distracted driving fatalities.
• The most deadly county to drive through in Virginia is Fairfax County which is located near Washington D.C.
• October is the deadliest month for driving in Virginia with the most accidents occurring because of the influx of leaf-peeping tourists and the beginning of slippery winter road conditions.

Out-of-state drivers passing through cities like Newport News create a flood of traffic on roadways. An experienced Newport News lawyer will be aware of these unique local factors and will be able to build the strongest case for you.

How Do I Choose a Newport News Car Accident Attorney?

Choosing the best Newport area car accident attorney should hinge on three factors:

• Experience: Research your attorney and if they have handled and won cases for your type of accident before. Make sure that they are willing to go to trial for you if your case cannot be settled through negotiations. Read client reviews and case results and determine if your attorney is willing to fight for you.
• Local accessibility: Make sure that the attorney is located nearby or is willing to make accommodations for you, such as a phone interview. By hiring a lawyer in the Newport News area, you can be sure that they are familiar with Virginia state law and how to calculate costs and damages for the local court that will hear your case.
• Payment arrangements: Ask if the law firm expects you to pay upfront or if they have a contingency fee plan. The Smith Law Center works on contingency which means that we only collect a fee if we are successful in achieving compensation for you. All filing fees, investigations, and court appearances executed on your behalf are done at no cost to you if we are not successful in your case.

Hiring an attorney to handle your car accident lawsuit should leave you feeling relieved that your case is in the hands of a professional. Our attorneys know how important it is to keep you up to date on your case including any investigations, the case timeline, and the decisions that must be made.

Contact the Smith Law Center online or at (757) 244-7000 to talk to an experienced car accident attorney about your case. There is no universal timeline for a car accident lawsuit. Your case may take several months or up to a year or more. Your unique facts and circumstances will dictate the pace of your case.

The lawyers at the Smith Law center will conduct an independent investigation of your Newport area car accident. They will visit and document the wreck, inspect the vehicles involved, and interview all witnesses including other drivers and passengers. Your car accident lawyer will build your case as if your case is going to trial–however, most cases will settle out of court for an amount that fully compensates your injuries, losses, and needs.

A settlement before trial will allow you to move on quickly after your accident. However, if your case does end up going to trial, a judge and a jury have more power to increase the amount of damages you may receive. Once a case reaches trial, it is no longer a negotiation but rather a court-mandated order that the other party pay you what you are owed.

If there is a choice between settling or going to trial, you will be able to make the decision that is best for you and your family. Your car accident attorney will be there to empower you, advise you, and carry out your best interests.

Contact An Experienced Newport News Accident Lawyer

A Newport News car accident attorney will protect your best interests while you focus on recovering from your injuries in peace. You deserve compensation for your losses and an experienced attorney who will fight to make sure you receive it.

The Smith Law Center is a multi-generational family-run law firm stationed in Hampton, Virginia. We specialize in personal injury law like car accident litigation. We are an internationally recognized firm for our work relating to catastrophic injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries that result from serious car accidents. Our record speaks for itself as we have achieved multi-million dollar settlements for our clients, including the largest slip and fall case ever awarded in Virginia, and the largest verdict ever rendered in South Carolina.

Contact the car accident attorneys at the Smith Law Center online or by calling (757) 244-7000. We are standing by to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Newport News Auto Accident Attorney FAQ