Negligence is a broad term that describes an act or a lack of an appropriate action that causes injury. Many Virginia residents get involved in neglectful accidents, but not all of them realize that they could be eligible for compensation. The following is a little information about the Virginia personal injury rules:
Personal Injury Defined
The state of Virginia defines personal injury as an injury that is related to neglect. Such neglect can occur in automobile accidents, slip-and-fall occurrences, animal bites, product liability cases and injuries that occur inside of people’s homes. The neglectful party is held accountable for the other party’s injuries in such a case.
Statue of Limitations
The statute of limitations on a Virginia personal injury lawsuit is two years. That two-year time span starts on the day of the injury or accident. The period differs for people who want to file suits against government entities. The victims’ lawyers must notify any governmental agency of its intent to sue within six months of the date of the injury.
Fault Percentage in Virginia
The percent of fault that the injured party plays in a personal injury case has a lot to do with the settlement. Most states have a percent figure that they use as a guideline for personal injury payouts. Fifty percent is usually the cutoff line for percentage of fault, meaning that a victim can receive some compensation even if he or she is half at fault for the incident. Virginia’s system is a bit harsher than other people’s systems are, however. Virginia judges will most likely disallow personal injury compensation to a person who is even the slightest percent at fault for the incident.
Types of Compensation
Attorneys generally seek two types of compensation for personal injury victims: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are meant to compensate. Punitive damages are meant to punish. A severe case of neglect will usually warrant the issuance of punitive damages along with compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are the funds that cover the victim’s lost work wages, medical bills, household bills, therapy, medication and the like. Punitive damages cover the victim’s pain and suffering, but they also deter the offender from repeating the offense.
What to Do if You Fall Victim
If you fall victim in an automobile accident, then make it your obligation to contact a personal injury attorney at once. Such an attorney can listen to the details of your case and then work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve. Many attorneys assist personal injury victims. The best attorney to visit is one who has a free consultation, a contingency plan, a positive set of statistics and a goal of getting you the compensation that you rightly deserve for your struggles. You can contact an attorney by a dedicated telephone number or by completing an online firm. The attorney will provide you with a date to come in and discuss the details of your accident.
