Right away
Report and
document
Call the police, photograph the vehicles and the scene, and collect names and numbers from any witnesses.
Auto accident claims
Hurt in a crash? Let us take the calls
After a collision, the other driver's insurer often calls within days, friendly and quick, asking for a recorded statement. Before you give one, talk with a Richmond attorney who handles these claims every week. Your first consultation is free.
Book a free consultationPrefer to talk now? Call (555) 014-2290.
The first weeks matter
What to do after a Virginia crash
Get medical care first, even if you feel mostly fine. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions and back injuries often surface a day or two later, and a prompt visit ties your symptoms to the crash in the medical record. Keep every appointment your doctor recommends.
Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If an insurer can argue you were even slightly at fault, it may try to deny the claim outright, which is why early evidence about speed, signals, lighting and road conditions matters so much.
Most injury claims in Virginia must be filed within two years of the crash, and property damage claims within five. Those deadlines sound distant, but camera footage, records and witness memories fade much sooner.
Passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders follow the same steps. Passengers can sometimes claim against both drivers' policies, and riders and walkers tend to suffer the most serious injuries, so early advice is especially valuable for them.
Report and
Within days
Notify your
own insurer
Report the crash to your carrier, and hold off on recorded statements to the other insurer until you have advice.
Over months
Track the
full cost
Save bills, pay stubs and mileage to appointments. Lost time and future care belong in the claim too.
A crash claim is built from details
Police reports, photos, scans, receipts,
each one adds weight to your recovery
We collect the crash report, ask nearby businesses for camera footage before it is erased, interview witnesses and work with your doctors to document the injury and the road ahead. When coverage is thin, we check your own uninsured and underinsured motorist policy as well. Then we present the claim in a way an adjuster, or a jury, can follow.
You will get regular updates without having to chase us, and nothing is agreed on your behalf without your approval.
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Auto accident questions
Answers before you call
You need to report the crash to your own insurer, but you are not required to give the other driver's carrier a recorded statement. Those early calls are meant to lock in details before you know the full extent of your injuries. Let us take that conversation for you, and refer any adjuster who calls straight to our office.
Virginia auto policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless it was turned down in writing. That coverage can step in when the at-fault driver's limits fall short, so we review your own policy for it on the first day. Using your own coverage after a crash that was not your fault should not raise your rates for that reason alone, and we can explain how it works.
No honest lawyer can name a figure on the first call. Value depends on your treatment, lost income, lasting effects and the insurance available. We explain each factor as it becomes clear and update you as the picture changes. Settling too early, before your doctors know how you will heal, is one of the most common and costly mistakes.
Most crash claims settle without a trial, but settlements are stronger when the insurer knows we are ready to file suit and try the case. We prepare each file with that in mind and discuss every offer with you before we respond.
Crash cases are usually handled on a contingency fee, so there is no upfront charge and our fee comes from any recovery. The percentage and the way case costs are handled are set out in writing before you sign, and the first consultation is always free.
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