What do you do if you’re involved in a car accident in a state different than you live in? Whether you live in Virginia and your wreck occurs in North Carolina or you live in North Carolina and the wreck occurs in Virginia, each state presents a specific set of facts and laws that need to be analyzed, and our personal injury law firm is uniquely qualified to handle cases on a regional basis.

The car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp regularly represent people in North Carolina and Virginia. We have also represented people as far south as Florida and as far north as Maryland. We’re uniquely positioned to handle cases in remote areas from our offices. We’re familiar with the laws in the different venues and able to investigate those claims, and we have relationships with law firms and doctors in other areas, which will help us evaluate and handle your case. If you were injured in a location different from where you live, contact us today at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

What Types of Damages Can Car Accident Victims Pursue?

Virginia and North Carolina laws allow car accident victims injured because of another driver’s negligence to pursue damages against that driver for the losses their injuries have caused them. In most cases, the claim or lawsuit is filed against the at-fault driver’s automobile insurance policy, and that insurance company is supposed to pay the victim the financial compensation they are entitled to.

Every case is different, and every victim suffers different losses. In general, the majority of car accident victims can pursue financial compensation for all of their past, present, and future medical expenses associated with the car accident. This might include emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, medical devices, and medical equipment. Transportation costs to and from medical appointments can also be reimbursed.

If the victim is left with permanent disabilities and there are special accommodations needed in their home, such as widened doorways and wheelchair ramps, the settlement should include those costs, too.

The victim may also be eligible to receive lost wages and benefits from being unable to work while recovering. They can also pursue damages for future income if the injury has reduced their earning capacity. If this is the case, the victim may also be entitled to vocational counseling and training.

Other damages that may be awarded include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Scarring (or disfigurement of any kind)
  • Partial or full permanent disability
  • Loss of life enjoyment

Why Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Claim?

Unfortunately, pursuing damages is not easy since most insurance companies do not like paying victims the total compensation they deserve. Any claims paid out cut into the insurance company’s profit. Keeping this in mind, it should be of no surprise that insurance companies will do all they can to deny or try to undervalue a victim’s car accident claim. This is why a car accident victim should contact a personal injury lawyer who handles car accidents and let them deal with the insurance company for them.

Insurance claim adjusters are trained to look for any possible angle that they could use to justify denying a victim their full compensation amount. Some of the more common tactics they use include the following:

  • Use the victim’s own words against them. This is why victims should never speak to an insurance adjuster without the advice of their car accident attorney. Adjusters are also trained to manipulate conversations to get people to say things they don’t mean to say, such as apologizing for an accident that isn’t their fault. These conversations are recorded so anything said can be used as evidence against the victim.
  • Try to blame the victim for the accident. The insurance company will conduct its own investigation into the accident. It is not uncommon for the company to blame the victim for the crash instead of their client, the actual at-fault driver.
  • Claim there is a lack of evidence. If the company cannot outright blame the victim, they may try to say there is not enough evidence to conclusively determine who the at-fault driver was.
  • Question the validity of the victim’s injury. Insurance companies look for any reason to question the validity of the victim’s injuries. They may even accuse the victim of faking their injury or faking the extent of the injury. If there was a delay between the accident and the victim seeking medical treatment, they may try to claim that the injury occurred at a later date and the victim is lying.
  • Offer a low-ball settlement amount. If the insurance company cannot come up with a way to legally deny a victim’s claim, they often offer the victim a settlement that does not even come close to the losses the injuries have caused. The company may even try pressuring the victim by coming up with a false date that the offer will expire.

What Should I Do If I’ve Been in a Crash?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in a state you do not live in, contact a car accident attorney with experience handling these cases to discuss your options. Call Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp at 833-997-1774 to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help get you the compensation you are entitled to. We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.