As the Commonwealth of Virginia’s capital city, Richmond has many drivers that travel just as many miles each year.
With this traffic volume, however, come side effects.
Our Richmond car accident attorneys have provided you an extensive overview of how to handle a car accident lawsuit.
Car accidents are an unfortunate side-effect of driving.
Even the most careful driver can be in an accident.
Furthermore, Virginia roads were the site of a car accident every four minutes on average in 2019.
In the same timeframe, there were an average of 180 injuries each day.
The threat of a car accident is a real risk that all drivers and passengers face.
Traffic accidents can seriously disrupt lives in a number of ways.
They are expensive, traumatic, and can cause serious injury.
We believe that the disrupting effects of a car accident should not extend to the legal process that follows.
That’s why Lantz & Robins, P.C., offers a full service, personalized car accident attorney practice.
Additionally, our Richmond car accident lawyers’ goal is to provide top-notch, personable legal service that helps clients minimize the disruption of a car accident and move forward with their lives.
Lantz & Robins, P.C.’s Richmond car accident attorneys are here to listen and help.
Who We Are
We at Lantz & Robins, P.C., are a group of Richmond, VA-based car accident lawyers headed by Michael W. Lantz and W. Randolph Robins Jr.
Our firm focuses on providing friendly, personable, and effective legal services to every client.
Together, Mr. Lantz and Mr. Robins bring an unmatched level of professionalism and compassion to their legal practice.
Our Approach to a Richmond Car Accident Claim
While we have experience with high-profile cases, our focus remains on our individual clients.
We strive to show each and every one of our clients that they are just as important as any other because they are.
By taking on a smaller caseload than many other attorney practices, our car accident lawyers in Richmond, VA, ensure our clients get the attention and results they deserve.
Michael W. Lantz
Michael W. Lantz has helped countless clients redress injustices in their lives since his admission to the Virginia Bar Association in 1990.
Since 2010, he has consistently made Virginia’s Super Lawyers list and is a current member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
To ensure he fulfills each of his clients’ unique individual needs, he tries to put himself into the shoes of them and their families.
Rand Robins Jr.
After graduating from American University’s Washington College of Law in 2010, W. Randolph Robins Jr. was admitted to the Virginia Bar Association.
Today he is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association’s Board of Governors.
With that, he serves on the Legislative Committee, the Tort Law Subcommittee, and the Publications Committee, which he co-chairs.
In 2019, he was named a Rising Star in the field of medical malpractice by Super Lawyers.
As a Richmond car accident lawyer, Rand has been able to help those that have suffered injuries related to auto accidents in Richmond.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Richmond, Virginia
Just about any injury can happen in a car accident.
From broken bones to bruises, anything is possible.
However, some injuries are more common than others.
Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents are:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
- Neck and back injuries, such as whiplash;
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding;
- Bone-related injuries;
- Other musculoskeletal injuries; and
- Cuts, bruises, and other “surface” injuries.
Each of these injuries themselves can give rise to serious medical costs.
Therefore, the medical costs increase the already significant strain and life disruption of car accidents.
On top of these physical injuries, car accidents can cause mental anguish and emotional damage.
These costs add up quickly. In this way, a seemingly minor accident can quickly compound into a seriously straining life event.
How to Get an Accident Report in Richmond, VA
Getting an accident report is an essential step in recovering damages after a car accident.
The accident report is the official record of the accident, so it is very important to have a copy of it.
Insurance companies, judges, and lawyers will all look to the official accident report to support or refute a claim for damages.
It’s best to call the police immediately after the accident, so they can come to the scene to make their report.
In fact, in most cases, Virginia law requires you to report a car accident to the police.
A Virginia accident report costs $8. To get one, submit a request to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
First, fill out the request form digitally or by hand, then submit it, with the $8 fee, by mail, fax, or in person at a local customer service center.
Find more information on crash reports from the Virginia DMV.
Common Accident Causes
The cause of a car accident can vary significantly from one crash to another.
Just like injuries, however, we see some types of accidents more frequently than others.
Some of the most common causes of accident include:
- Driving while distracted (including driving while texting and talking on the phone while driving);
- Driving at night in areas without adequate lighting;
- Driving while intoxicated;
- Failing to stop at red lights and speeding through yellow lights;
- Speeding and other instances of reckless driving;
- Failing to check one’s blind spot when merging or changing lanes; and
- Driving during inclement weather, including heavy rain, snow, or ice.
Car accidents happen in an instant. Sometimes it takes just one wrong move to cause an accident.
Other times, a driver may not react fast enough to what is happening in front of them or find themselves in a situation where an accident is unavoidable.
How to File a Car Accident Claim in Richmond, Virginia
As soon as possible after an accident, you should report the accident to your insurance company.
If another party is at fault for your accident, you will need to file a claim with their insurance company to get compensation for your damages.
For minor accidents, you may be able to resolve your claim directly with the insurance company.
In these instances, you would obtain treatment for your injuries or repairs for your property, maintain a record of these expenses (or appraisals), and submit those expenses as a claim to the insurance company.
Other times there may be a dispute about some aspect of the accident.
This dispute could be over the extent of damages, the question of who is at fault, or to what extent each party is at fault.
If your injuries are serious, it is likely that the insurance company will undervalue your claim, especially when it comes to noneconomic harm such as pain and suffering.
If a dispute arises, it is important to contact a car accident attorney to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Additionally, a lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company to reach a settlement.
Or, if the insurance company won’t cooperate, a lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The path a car accident claim takes depends on the unique circumstances of each accident.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Virginia
To clarify, the first questions the Richmond car accident attorneys at Lantz & Robins, P.C. answer are often about the statute of limitations.
A statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a claim after an accident.
There are three statutes of limitations to consider in Virginia when filing a lawsuit after a car accident.
For lawsuits recovering damages for personal injury, an injured party has two years from the injury date to file a claim.
If you are pursuing a wrongful death claim due to a loved one’s death in a car accident, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death (not necessarily the date of the accident).
On the other hand, the statute of limitations for property damage, including vehicle damage, is five years from the accident date.
Although exceptions may apply, the court will generally bar you from filing a claim after the statute of limitations has run.
It is wise to consult a car accident lawyer in Richmond, VA as soon as possible after an accident occurs to make sure you have time to prepare and file your claim before the deadline.
Contact Us Today
Have you been in a car accident?
If so, Lantz & Robins, P.C.’s car accident attorneys in Richmond are here to help.
Whether you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence or were at fault in causing property damage to others, our goal is to help you move on from this traumatic event without it disrupting your life.
Protect your rights and those of your loved ones by contacting Lantz & Robins, P.C.’s car accident lawyers today!