Car Accidents
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury or wrongful death to file a personal injury or wrongful claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule that we will investigate on every case. A common exception occurs when a minor was injured. If you have questions about whether or not you are within the timeframe to file a claim for your injury or a wrongful death, we recommend promptly contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with how the statute of limitations will apply in your case, as well as any exceptions that may apply.
Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims. If you have questions about whether or not you were partially at fault, or if the insurance company has denied your claim because they say you were partially at fault, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
Every case is unique. The value of your claim depends on factors like the nature and extent of your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and the impact on your daily life. We make sure to identify each and every way your injuries have impacted your life and communicate this to the insurance companies to maximize the value of your case.
Call an experienced injury attorney if the insurance company contacts you after an accident. Insurance companies will attempt to pressure you into giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement before the necessary investigation and medical treatment is complete. Every contact you have with the insurance company, they are building their file to dispute your claim or minimize settlement offers. At Summit Law, we’ll handle all communications with the insurance company, to protect your rights and maximize your case value.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take longer to ensure full and fair compensation. Our goal is to resolve your personal injury case as soon as possible. However, it’s important for us to understand the full extent of your injuries and medical treatment you will need before resolving your case. We work together with you to determine the right time to resolve your case.
If the other driver is underinsured or uninsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. An experienced injury attorney can help review your policy and explore other potential sources of insurance coverage.
Motorcycle Accidents
Seek medical attention, report the accident, document the scene if possible, gather the contact info of any witnesses and contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. Motorcycle cases are often highly contested when it comes to liability and frequently result in more serious injuries, so having an experienced injury attorney who is specifically familiar with handling motorcycle and complex injury cases is especially important to overcome liability disputes and maximize the value of your case.
Yes, the fact that you were not wearing a helmet does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation.
The damages available vary from case to case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Contact an experienced injury attorney to discuss further what damages may be available in your case.
Truck Accidents
Truck accident cases are often more complex because they can involve multiple parties, complex stacking insurance coverage, commercial driver safety rules, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations. These things make the investigation process and proving liability a much more complicated. If you were hit by a commercial vehicle or truck, it is critical to contact an experienced injury attorney, familiar with handling trucking cases, to ensure that critical evidence is preserved and obtained, responsible entities and available insurance coverage is identified and exhausted, and liability disputes are handled by someone with trucking industry expertise.
Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to the driver, trucking company, leasing company, maintenance providers, or other third parties.
Trucking companies often dispute claims. If the trucking company or their insurance company denies responsibility, contact an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with handling trucking cases, can investigate the complexities of liability and gather necessary evidence, and handle your case with trucking industry expertise.
Driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, video footage, photos, accident reconstruction reports, and police reports can all play a critical role in proving your case. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident case, we recommend contacting an attorney with knowledge of the trucking industry who can identify and obtain this critical evidence.
Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims. If you have questions about whether or not you were partially at fault, or if the insurance company has denied your claim because they say you were partially at fault, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
Brain & Head Injuries
If you experience headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea, memory or concentration issues, or changes in mood, you may be exhibiting signs of a brain injury. If you are experiencing any of these, or similar symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that a doctor can diagnose whether or not you sustained a brain injury.
Yes. Doctors characterize brain injuries as mild, moderate, or severe based on loss of consciousness. That means in most cases, if you had minimal or no loss of consciousness, your brain injury will most likely be characterized as “mild” no matter what the severity of your other associated symptoms may be. In many cases, mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions, can lead to severe symptoms or long-term complications.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the brain injury to file a personal injury or wrongful claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule that we will investigate on every case. A common exception occurs when a minor was injured. If you have questions about whether or not you are within the timeframe to file a claim for your brain injury, we recommend promptly contacting an experienced injury attorney familiar with how the statute of limitations will apply in your case, as well as any exceptions that may apply.
The damages available vary from case to case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Contact an experienced injury attorney to discuss further what damages may be available in your case.
Yes. While the damages available vary from case to case, if your doctor believes you need long-term care because of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and future support needs.
Seek immediate medical attention, follow your doctor’s recommendations, document your symptoms and treatment, and speak with an attorney before dealing with insurance companies.
Wrongful Death
If your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may have a wrongful death claim.
Compensation is distributed to eligible family members, such as spouses, children, or parents, depending on the circumstances.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take longer to ensure full and fair compensation. Our goal is to resolve your wrongful death case as soon as possible. We work together with you to determine the right time to resolve your case.
If the person responsible denies fault, we contacting an experienced injury attorney who can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case, gather evidence, and build a strong case to prove liability.
Yes. In some cases, more than one party may be responsible for the death. Potentially liable parties could include employers, business or premises owners, trucking companies, municipalities, etc. depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. Contact an experienced injury attorney to help identify responsible parties and available claims in your case.
From day 1, we prepare your case as if it is going to trial. This approach ensures that we’re prepared in the event the insurance company denies liability or refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer. While we are able to resolve many cases, sometimes going to court is the only way to achieve the accountability and value you deserve. We understand that the prospect of going to court may be intimidating. At Summit Law, we place a high priority on working closely with you as we build your case and thoroughly prepare clients for any necessary court appearances.
Pedestrian Accidents
Seek medical attention, report the accident, document the scene if possible, gather the contact info of any witnesses and contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. Pedestrian cases are often highly contested when it comes to liability and frequently result in more serious injuries, so having an experienced injury attorney who is specifically familiar with handling pedestrian and complex injury cases is especially important to overcome liability disputes and maximize the value of your case.
In some cases, yes. Because there are many places with no sidewalks or crosswalks. Virginia law allows pedestrians to be compensated in many cases where they were not walking in a crosswalk. However, Virginia also follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent as a pedestrian and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims by injured pedestrians. If you were struck as a pedestrian, where you were located at the moment of impact is a critical fact in your case. Contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. At Summit Law, we regularly handle non-crosswalk pedestrian cases and can discuss all the relevant laws and how they may or may not impact your case.
This is common in pedestrian cases. Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims. If you have questions about whether or not you were partially at fault, or if the insurance company has denied your claim because their driver says you were at fault, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules. At Summit Law, we regularly handle disputed liability pedestrian cases and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
The damages available vary from case to case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Contact an experienced injury attorney to discuss further what damages may be available in your case.
Due to Virginia’s strict contributory negligence laws, pedestrian cases are often contested liability cases. An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Seek medical attention, report the accident, document the scene if possible, gather the contact info of any witnesses and contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. Drunk driving cases often involve unique legal issues, like ongoing criminal investigations or criminal trials, and frequently result in more serious injuries, so having an experienced injury attorney who is specifically familiar with handling drunk driving and complex injury cases is especially important to maximize the value of your case.
You can still pursue a civil case to recover for your injuries if the drunk driver was arrested or is serving jail time. Criminal charges are separate from your civil claim, but evidence from the criminal case will likely help support your personal injury case.
An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. Drunk driving cases can involve some complexities that typical car on car crashes do not – such as criminal charges, time-sensitive evidence, or expert toxicologists. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
Sexual Assault & Abuse
Not necessarily. However there are laws that require certain entities to be notified of a potential civil claim within certain time limits. It is important to contact an attorney quickly so we can meet any applicable reporting requirements under Virginia law and preserve your ability to bring a claim.
While attorney-client privilege always applies, the degree to which case facts will remain private often depends on the stage at which your case resolves.
In some cases, you may still be able to pursue a claim depending on Virginia law and the specifics of your situation. If you have questions about whether or not you can pursue a civil case for an incident that happened years ago, contact an experienced injury attorney familiar with Virginia law to advise you on what options you may have.
Yes. In some cases, employers, schools, or other institutions may be held either vicariously or even directly liable if they failed to prevent or address assault or abuse. At Summit Law, we are familiar with civil sexual assault and abuse cases and can identify responsible parties and available claims in your case.
Civil sexual assault or abuse cases are often highly contested when it comes to liability, especially when trying to hold corporations, organizations, or institutions accountable. At Summit Law, we know that navigating the system as a survivor without representation can be overwhelming, and cause further trauma. An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. Civil sexual assault or abuse cases involve legal complexities that other injury cases do not. If you would like to pursue a civil sexual assault or abuse claim, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
School Injuries
In some cases, yes, however Virginia law regarding suing public schools are complex. At Summit Law, we are familiar with school injury cases and can identify responsible parties and available claims under Virginia law in your case.
Some injuries are part of normal activity, but negligence or lack of proper safety measures may still lead to a claim. In cases involving public schools, injured parties must prove that a school employee was “grossly negligent” which is a higher standard than an ordinary negligence case.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury or wrongful death to file a personal injury claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule that we will investigate on every case. A common exception occurs when a minor was injured. If you have questions about whether or not you are within the timeframe to file a claim for your injury, we recommend promptly contacting an experienced injury attorney familiar with how the statute of limitations will apply in your school injury case, as well as any exceptions that may apply if a minor was injured.
In some cases, if a school failed to address known bullying or dangerous behavior, employees of the school may be held responsible. In cases involving public schools, injured parties must prove that a school employee was “grossly negligent” which is a higher standard than an ordinary negligence case.
School injury cases are often highly contested when it comes to liability, especially when trying to hold corporations, organizations, or institutions accountable. An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. School injury cases involve complexities that other injury cases do not – such as heightened standards for proving negligence if the injury happened at a public school. If you would like to pursue a school injury claim, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
Slip & Fall / Premises Liability
Seek medical attention, report the accident, take detailed photos of the location of your fall, gather the contact info of any witnesses, and contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. Due to Virginia’s strict “open and obvious” contributory negligence rules, slip and fall cases are often highly contested when it comes to liability, so having an experienced injury attorney who is specifically familiar with handling slip and fall injury cases is especially important to overcome liability disputes and maximize the value of your case.
Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. In slip and fall cases, this means that if the hazardous condition on the premises is considered “open and obvious,” you may be completely barred from recovery. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims. If you have questions about whether or not you were partially at fault, or if the insurance company has denied your claim because they say the hazard was open and obvious, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
Premises owners often dispute claims. If the premises owner or their insurance company denies responsibility, contact an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with handling contested-liability premises cases, can investigate the complexities of liability and gather necessary evidence, and build your case.
Due to Virginia’s strict “open and obvious” contributory negligence rules, premises cases are often highly contested when it comes to liability, especially when trying to hold corporations, organizations, or institutions accountable. An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. If you would like to pursue a premises liability case, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
General Personal Injury (Locations & Common Questions)
An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. If you’ve been injured in Lynchburg, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re familiar with the area, the local court system, and have a wealth of local relationships and resources. We’ll be with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
We recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so you don’t have to speak with insurance companies. At Summit Law, we take over all communication with the insurance company as soon as you hire us to represent you.
Some injuries take time to appear. It’s important to seek medical attention and document any symptoms with medical providers as soon as they arise.
Yes. While generally the best time to resolve your case is after you have completed all the medical treatment you need, if your doctor believes you need future medical treatment on a long-term ongoing basis because of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and future support needs.
Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims. If you have questions about who was at fault, or if the insurance company has denied your claim because they say you were partially at fault, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
Yes. We understand that most people don’t want to go to the hospital or emergency room right away. We recommend going to an urgent care facility, your primary care doctor, or the emergency room when symptoms start to appear.
If a person has violated the standard of care for the activity they are doing – whether driving, maintaining premises, or providing security – and that causes an accident or injury, generally that person will be considered negligent. Fault is proven using evidence such as reports, witness statements, and other documentation related to the accident and how it happened. However, Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery, even if you were injured. If you have questions about who was at fault in your personal injury case, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
We are extremely cautious of quick offers from an insurance company. Oftentimes they want to catch you off guard and minimize payouts before you have gotten all the medical treatment you need. If an insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly, we recommend reaching out to Summit Law to discuss your options.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence you may have a valid claim. Speaking with an experienced injury attorney can help clarify your options.
Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means that there is no upfront fee to pay us. Our fee is earned at the end of representation when we receive a settlement, judgement, or verdict for you. There will likely also be costs associated with working on your case – things like filing fees, fees to request medical records, fees to hire experts, etc. These case-related costs are advanced by the firm during the course of the case and also reimbursed at the end of representation.
The damages available vary from case to case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Contact an experienced injury attorney to discuss further what damages may be available in your case.
The majority of personal injury cases resolve in a settlement agreement. However at Summit Law, from day 1, we prepare your case as if it is going to trial. This approach ensures that we’re prepared in the event the insurance company denies liability or refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer. While we are able to resolve many cases, sometimes going to court is the only way to achieve the accountability and value you deserve. We understand that the prospect of going to court may be intimidating. At Summit Law, we place a high priority on working closely with you as we build your case and thoroughly prepare clients for any necessary court appearances.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence you may have a valid claim. Speaking with an experienced injury attorney can help clarify your options.
An experienced injury attorney can help investigate your situation and determine liability. Virginia follows strict contributory negligence rules. This means that if you were even slightly negligent and that contributed to the accident happening, you may be completely barred from recovery, even where there are other at-fault parties. Insurance companies are familiar with these strict rules and frequently use them to deny even valid claims. If you have questions about who was at fault, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with Virginia’s contributory negligence rules and can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact of your case.
Yes, however delayed medical treatment can sometimes reduce the value of your case, depending on the circumstances of the delay. While we recommend seeking medical care as soon as possible, we understand that this isn’t always possible. Over the course of representation, we discuss the reasons for any gaps in your medical treatment and effectively communicate these to the insurance company.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury or wrongful death to file a personal injury or wrongful claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule that we will investigate on every case. A common exception occurs when a minor was injured. If you have questions about whether or not you are within the timeframe to file a claim for your injury or a wrongful death, we recommend promptly contacting an experienced injury attorney who is familiar with how the statute of limitations will apply in your case, as well as any exceptions that may apply.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence you may have a valid claim. Speaking with an experienced injury attorney can help clarify your options.
The majority of personal injury cases resolve in a settlement agreement. However at Summit Law, from day 1, we prepare your case as if it is going to trial. This approach ensures that we’re prepared in the event the insurance company denies liability or refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer. While we are able to resolve many cases, sometimes going to court is the only way to achieve the accountability and value you deserve.
Insurance companies control the offers made in your case. We work with insurance companies in almost every case to come to a full and fair settlement in your case. If your case goes into litigation, the insurance company will hire a defense attorney to represent the negligent party. Even when this happens, the insurance company controls much of the defense’s strategy.
No. We are extremely cautious of quick offers from an insurance company. Oftentimes they want to catch you off guard and minimize payouts before you have gotten all the medical treatment you need. The first offer made is rarely the best offer the insurance company will make. If an insurance company reaches out with a settlement offer, we recommend reaching out to Summit Law to discuss your options.
The sooner the better. Early guidance can help preserve evidence and prevent mistakes when dealing with insurance companies. At Summit Law, as soon as you retain our attorneys, we act to begin gathering critical information and communicating with the insurance company on your behalf.
Some injuries develop gradually. Because of this, we stay in continual communication with Summit Law clients about the status of their injuries and medical treatment, and any developments. It’s important to document symptoms and seek medical care if there are developments in your injuries and treatment.
Any documentation related to your accident and injuries, including reports, photos, and medical records, can be helpful. Please also bring identification and any health insurance cards you use.
While we recommend seeking medical care as soon as possible, we understand that this isn’t always possible. Delayed medical treatment can sometimes reduce the value of your case or make it difficult to connect your injuries to the accident, depending on the circumstances of the delay and your health history. Over the course of representation, we discuss the reasons for any gaps in your medical treatment and effectively communicate these to the insurance company.
Every case is unique. The value of your claim depends on factors like the nature and extent of your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and the impact on your daily life. We make sure to identify each and every way your injuries have impacted your life and communicate this to the insurance companies to maximize the value of your case.
While we recommend seeking medical care as soon as possible, we understand you may not have realized you were injured right away. It’s important to seek medical care and document symptoms as soon as possible once you realize that you did sustain an injury. Over the course of representation, we discuss the reasons for any gaps in your medical treatment and effectively communicate these to the insurance company.
Settlements are typically paid as a lump sum, though the exact structure can vary depending on the case.
The correct type of personal injury claim to file for an injury that happened at work depends on the circumstances. In some cases, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim. In other cases a workers’ compensation case may be the exclusive remedy. We recommend contacting an attorney experienced in the different types of claims and remedies available to you in order to determine what types of claims you can make and maximize your recovery.
An experienced injury attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning contested liability cases and maximizing the value of your case. If you’ve been injured in Farmville, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney so that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case alone. At Summit Law, we’re familiar with the area, the local court system, and have a wealth of local relationships and resources. We’ll be with you every step, to gather evidence, build the strongest case possible, and fight for an outcome that represents the value of what you’ve been through.
Rural road accidents can involve unique factors like limited visibility, unlined roadways, and farm vehicles. We carefully evaluate these factors as they relate to liability and make arguments to insurance companies to support your personal injury case.
If the other driver is uninsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. An experienced injury attorney can help review your policy and explore other potential sources of insurance coverage.
If you were injured by a hazard on private property, you likely still have a valid claim. Your purpose in being on the private property usually determines whether or not the property owner has a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. If you were in a car accident on private property, ordinary driving rules and auto insurance likely still apply.
Yes, passengers are typically eligible to pursue compensation regardless of which driver was at fault.
While witnesses are very helpful, your case can usually still move forward using other forms of evidence, such as your own testimony about what happened, accident reports, medical records, and expert analysis. If the insurance company is denying your claim based on a lack of witness testimony, we recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney who can identify and obtain these other forms of evidence and develop a strategy to prove your case. Rural road accidents can involve unique factors like limited visibility, unlined roadways, and farm vehicles.
We conduct a thorough investigation into hit and run accidents to identify and determine all responsible parties. If a driver leaves the scene, our investigation may lead to the discovery of the responsible driver. Even in hit-and-run accidents, oftentimes we’re still able to obtain a recovery for you through uninsured motorist coverage.
Each case is fact specific. When evaluating the strength of a case, we look at liability issues that may arise, the nature and extent of injuries and medical treatment being claimed, and the witnesses and other evidence we have to prove your case and impact of your injuries.
While we recommend seeking medical care as soon as possible, we understand that this isn’t always affordable. Whenever possible, use your health insurance to cover your medical treatment. If you carry medpay or medical expense benefits on your own auto insurance policy, we can often request those benefits for you during your personal injury case to reimburse you for some of your out of pocket medical expenses. Delayed medical treatment can sometimes reduce the value of your case or make it difficult to connect your injuries to the accident, depending on the circumstances of the delay and your health history. However, during the course of representation, we discuss the reasons for any gaps in your medical treatment and effectively communicate these to the insurance company.
Many aspects of your case can be handled without the need to travel. We serve clients across the Commonwealth, and can guide you through the majority of the case process over the phone and by Zoom. At Summit Law, we often meet with clients in their home and are happy to meet you where you are. You may need to travel for depositions or trial if your case goes into litigation. These appearances are typically planned with significant advanced notice to make any necessary travel arrangements.
While it is best to call law enforcement to document any car accident or incident, sometimes that doesn’t happen or law enforcement are unable to come to the scene. In this situation, we gather and use other information obtained through our investigation to support your personal injury case.
Key evidence often includes accident reports, medical records, photos of the scene, witness statements, vehicle data, and any available video footage. There may be other critical evidence in your case depending on the circumstances. We recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney early on who knows the evidence you will need for your case and can act quickly to preserve and obtain it.
No. While the insurance company may request a recorded statement in order to evaluate the claim, we do not recommend giving a recorded statement to the insurance company without first contacting an experienced injury attorney who can advise you on the legal implications of each and every fact in your case.
Yes. If the medical evidence in your case supports that you are unable to work on a long-term ongoing basis because of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for loss of earning capacity and lost future income.
Multi-vehicle accidents can be more complex. Depending on the circumstances, there may be one or multiple at-fault vehicles. At Summit Law, we investigate multi-vehicle accidents in a way that allows us to discover all parties at fault in the accident and all potential sources of coverage.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. If the case goes to trial, the timeline is dependent in part on the court’s docket. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take longer to ensure full and fair compensation. Our goal is to resolve your personal injury case as soon as possible. However, it’s important for us to understand the full extent of your injuries and medical treatment you will need before resolving your case. We work together with you to determine the right time to resolve your case.
Yes. There may be additional opportunities for coverage in cases involving rideshare companies. However, there are also more complexities and potential claims involved in rideshare cases related to the liability of the various entities involved. We recommend contacting an experienced injury attorney to investigate and pursue these claims and coverage.