Rockingham County Personal Injury Lawyer
Every day in Virginia, thousands of people are injured in accidents. Whether someone harms someone else deliberately or the accident stems from carelessness, the result is often the same. The accident victim could face unanticipated medical bills, ongoing pain, and difficulty going back to work.
If you have injuries caused by negligent or intentional behavior, legal counsel could help. Our skilled attorneys are well-versed in every aspect of personal injury law. Whether an individual, business, or government entity is at fault, a Rockingham County personal injury lawyer could work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Personal Injury Cases in Rockingham County
Personal injury law encompasses many different types of claims. Some involve negligent behavior by the at-faulty parties, whereas others result from someone’s intentional act.
Car Accidents
Car collisions could cause serious injuries, and in some cases, permanent disability. Virginia’s negligence laws protect innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians by holding at-fault drivers accountable for damages.
Truck Accidents
An average 18-wheel truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds. A truck’s massive size and weight could lead to catastrophic injuries in a collision and, in some cases, fatalities.
Premises Liability
Virginia law requires property owners to use reasonable care to keep their premises in a safe condition. Customers, delivery drivers, and other people who enter a business could be injured if proper safety standards are not maintained. An assault of a customer on a business’s property due to inadequate lighting, lack of video surveillance, or a failure to hire security guards could lead to a premises liability claim.
Birth Injuries
Medical negligence during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum care could cause lifelong injuries to a child. Examples of birth injuries include spinal cord damage, asphyxia, and cerebral palsy.
No matter what type of injury a child or an adult has sustained, a Rockingham County personal injury lawyer could help. A skilled attorney can investigate the case, establish the cause of the injuries, and hold all responsible parties accountable.
What Damages Could an Injured Party Recover?
To restore a party to reasonably the same position they were in before they were harmed, a judge may award specific types of damages.
General Damages
General damages encompass pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and permanent disability. These damages may be more challenging to quantify and proving these damages could require expert witness testimony.
Special Damages
Special damages are an injured party’s quantifiable losses, including medical expenses, property damage, and missed time from work.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages punish the at-fault party for grossly negligent or reckless actions. For example, a judge might award punitive damages if a drunk driver injures a pedestrian. Under Virginia Code §8.01-38.1, punitive damages may not exceed $350,000.
A Rockingham attorney experienced in personal injury cases understands the different damage classifications and could determine the value of an injured party’s claim.
Defenses to Personal Injury Claims
The at-fault party in a personal injury case has several possible defenses.
Statute of Limitations
If the injured party does not file a lawsuit within two years of the accident, the at-fault party could request a dismissal of the claim.
Contributory Negligence
Virginia adheres to the law of contributory negligence. If the injured party is partly responsible for their damages, a court could deny their claim. A personal injury attorney in Rockingham County understands contributory negligence and could determine if the injured party bears any fault for the accident.
Assumption of Risk
If someone fully understands the nature and extent of a known danger and still exposes themselves to that danger, they have assumed the risk of injury. If someone attends a baseball game, for example, and is hit by a ball, they might not recover damages.
Get in Touch with a Rockingham County Personal Injury Attorney
An accident or injury could negatively impact your life in many ways. Your health, job, and personal relationships may be affected.
If you suffer an injury due to someone’s recklessness or negligence, it may be in your best interest to seek a dedicated attorney’s assistance. Our firm’s lawyers understand Virginia’s damage limits, filing deadlines, and liability defenses. A Rockingham County personal injury lawyer could answer any questions you have about your case.
