McLean, Virginia Car Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Motor Vehicle Collisions in McLean, VA

No one wants to get into a car accident. Whether you were the one behind the wheel, in the passenger seat, or walking on the sidewalk, an accident can have devastating effects on your life, health, and finances. In the worst-case scenarios, victims can experience fatal wounds, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other types of catastrophic injuries. In addition to surgery and rehabilitation costs and vehicle repairs, you could experience a permanent loss of physical or cognitive ability, life-long recovery expenses, and a drastic decline in your quality of life.

When you have been dramatically impacted because of another person's negligence on the road, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our experienced car accident attorneys can provide the support and guidance you need to fight for much-needed compensation. With over 60 years of combined legal experience and over 100 positive reviews, our satisfied clients can attest to our commitment to helping protect the rights of victims in personal injury cases.

How Is Liability Coverage Determined?

In most cases, car accidents are caused by at least one party's negligent or reckless actions. If you believe that you are entitled to compensation because of someone else's negligence, the court will first need to determine who was at fault for the incident and why. Virginia courts will generally follow a four-step checklist to establish liability in a personal injury case:

• Did the defendant have a responsibility to protect the victim's safety?
• How did that person's actions fall short of this responsibility?
• Did this person's failure to fulfill their responsibility directly bring about the victim's injuries?
• Did the victim suffer actual damages because of the defendant's actions or negligence?

Under this fault-based legal system, individuals or parties found liable for causing harm may be held financially accountable for the resulting damages. However, Virginia also operates under a very strict rule regarding liability. In car accidents, in particular, it is fairly common for the state to assign liability between the parties involved. For example, a court may rule that the main offender was 70 percent responsible for causing an accident, while the victim was 30 percent culpable.

In Virginia, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was 100 percent at fault for a car accident in order to be eligible for financial compensation. Our lawyers understand how to demonstrate liability for an accident, and we will work to ensure that you can receive compensation from a negligent driver or other party who injured you.

How Do I File a Claim in Virginia?

Even if you and/or the driver at fault have insurance policies that should cover your damages, we highly recommend that you consult with an attorney before communicating with insurance companies. Even the information you give them before officially filing a claim can give them grounds to deny or limit your claim.

As a former insurance defense lawyer, Brian Coleman is familiar with common insurance tactics, and our team can help you fend off lowball offers or other tactics used by insurance companies. There are also a number of actions you can take immediately after getting into a crash that will help support your arguments during your claim:

• File a Police Report: Calling 911 after a car accident is the fastest and most effective way to establish an official record of the accident and ensure that everyone on scene receives proper medical attention.
• Gather Evidence: Photographs of the road and weather conditions, property damage, and injuries sustained at the time of the accident can help prove the circumstances and the extent of the harm you have suffered.
• Secure Witness Testimony: By asking people who saw the accident for their contact information, our legal team can obtain statements that will corroborate what happened and help to demonstrate that the other driver was responsible.

Meet With a McLean Car Accident Attorney Today

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for victims in personal injury cases. Our knowledgeable, comprehensive legal team can interact directly with insurance companies on your behalf, and we will break down complex legal proceedings into simpler steps. If your life has been changed due to a collision, you do not have to fight alone. Contact our car accident injury lawyers who handle cases in McLean, VA at 703-392-6686 to schedule a free consultation.