How Long Will it Take to Settle my Case?

This is one of the most common questions that our personal injury clients ask, and rightfully so. When you are suffering from physical injuries and the emotional trauma of an accident, it is natural to want compensation as quickly as possible. Here at Howard, Morrison, Ross and Whelan, it is our job to help you achieve a settlement in a timely manner so that you can move forward with the compensation you need and deserve. We tell all of our clients upfront that there is no way to predict the exact amount of time that it will take to reach a favorable settlement for their case. The length of time that it takes to resolve cases can vary from a matter of months to several years for the more difficult and contested cases involving medical malpractice or product liability.

The best way to provide an answer to this question is by describing what must happen before a claim can be resolved. The first stage of this process depends on the amount of time that it will take our client to recover. When the client has recovered or been discharged from medical treatment, or when the client has reach their maximum recovery, we can determine the appropriate amount of compensation. For cases where the client is expected to make a full recovery, we can start negotiations when the client is satisfied that they have recovered from their injuries. We prefer this because once a settlement has been agreed upon, the case is considered to be concluded.

After the client has been discharged for medical care, we will work to prepare the case for submission to an insurance company. The process of collecting the final bills and medical records can take 30 to 60 days, and our firm prepares a package to support your claim for compensation based on your financial damages and other losses. After this package is submitted to the insurance company, it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks for the insurance adjuster to review it, conduct investigations or medical reviews and start negotiations with our lawyers. In order to make this process as quick as possible, we follow up with the insurance carrier frequently to check in on how the review is progressing.

Our attorneys are skilled and aggressive negotiators on the behalf of our clients, and the negotiation process can sometimes be as short as one week. For more complex cases, the negotiation process takes several months. There are countless variables that play a part in the duration of a personal injury case, and we can help you determine a more accurate timeline when you call our firm. We invite you to call toll-free to schedule a free consultation.

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Understanding Personal Injury

If you live in Northern Virginia and need legal representation to help you get a personal injury claim resolved, it is strongly advised that you contact our legal team at Howard, Morrison, Ross and Whelan. Our firm has had uncommon success in recovering compensation in all types of injury cases, and we can help you through this difficult time. Our mission is to protect your right to fair compensation, and to file a claim that truly reflects the damages in your case. We have helped out clients obtain millions from the big insurance companies. In addition to Virginia, we have represented clients from Florida to Maine and as far west as California. No matter where you were injured, we can help.

PRACTICE AREAS
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to the negligent actions of another person or corporation, it is absolutely vital that you get legal representation from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the injury. This will allow your lawyer to preserve evidence, access witness to get further documentation and take other vital legal actions to support your claim. The more thoroughly your claim is documented, the more likely that you will recover the compensation you deserve. We represent injured victims in all types of injury claims, including but not limited to:

Car Accidents
The state of Virginia has a large number of serious car accidents every year due to weather conditions and negligent driving. When an innocent victim is seriously injured in a car accident, they may have the right to pursue compensation under the law for their pain and suffering.

Motorcycle Accidents
The scenic beauty of Northern Virginia has made it a hotspot for motorcycle riders. When a motorcyclist is involved in a motorcycle accident, they are at far greater risk for fatality and life-endangering injuries than the passengers of a car.

Truck Accidents
Large commercial trucks weigh significantly more than passenger vehicles and can inflict severe injuries in a collision or accident. Call our firm immediately if your loved one has been injured in a truck accident.

Drunk Driving Accidents
Have you been injured in a drunk driving accident? The law protects the rights of victims who have been injured in drunk driving accidents, and a lawyer from our firm can help you file a claim for compensation.

Other Accidents
Personal injury law covers any type of accident that causes injury to a victim. From boating accidents to bus accidents or train accidents, our firm can assist you in filing a claim for compensation.

Birth Injuries
Has your child suffered injury during the birth or labor process? In some instances, these injuries are the result of negligence or miscalculations on the part of a medical professional. Serious birth injuries such as brain damage, Cerebral Palsy, fetal distress and others can significantly affect the quality of your child’s life.

Burn Injuries
A burn injury is one of the most catastrophic types of injury that one can endure, and the recovery process may take years. In addition to physical pain, burn injuries can take a toll on a victim’s emotional stability and confidence.

Catastrophic Injuries
The term catastrophic injury describes an injury that causes permanent damage to its victims. This type of severe injury may result from a car accident or any other type of personal injury accident, and it is important to enlist the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney if you have suffered catastrophic injuries.

Spinal Cord Injuries
Studies show that more than 11,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury every year in the United States. This injury can be caused by a sudden blow or dislocation of the vertebrae, and may result in loss of sensation, paralysis or loss of mobility.

Traumatic Brain Injury
If you have been involved in a serious accident that resulted in a severe blow to the skull, you may be suffering from traumatic brain injury. The symptoms for this injury can range depending on the power of the blow, and it is wise to consult a medical professional.

Dangerous Drugs
It is in our nature to trust our physicians and the medications that they prescribe us. However, when a prescription drug causes undisclosed or harmful side effects, you should seek the help of a dangerous drug attorney from our firm. You may be able to file a claim for compensation for your pain and suffering.

Defective Products
Defective products can be attributed to error on the part of a manufacturer or design team, and victims of defective product injuries may be able to seek compensation for their pain and suffering. Our esteemed firm has been fighting for the victims of defective product injuries since 1923, and we are prepared to fight for you.

Dog Bites
Have you suffered injury because of a dog bite? Almost 40% of American households have at least one dog, and you may be at risk for a dog bite simply by walking around your neighborhood. You may have the right to seek compensation for your dog bite injuries, so contact an experienced lawyer today.

Medical Malpractice
When we are injured by the medical professionals that we trusted, we have the right to seek compensation under the law for the additional pain and suffering we endured. If you have been affected by a medical mistake, you need a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate through the complex process of filing a medical malpractice claim.

Product Liability
Have you or a loved one been injured by a defective product? Product liability law was created to protect the rights of consumers who are injured by products deemed safe.

Premises Liability
If you are invited onto another person’s premises, that person is responsible for providing you with a safe environment. When you suffer injury because of the negligence of an owner, you may be able to file for compensation under premises liability law.

Slip and Fall
Slip and fall claims are some of the most common accidents that occur on properties. A property owner is legally responsible to keep their establishment or premises safe at all times, and you may be able to file a claim if you have suffered injury from a slip and fall accident.

Uninsured Motorist
If you have been injured in an accident where the other driver was not insured, it may be difficult to obtain compensation. Call a determined lawyer at our firm for aggressive help in seeking the compensation you deserve.

Workers’ Compensation
When a serious injury occurs in the workplace, you may be unable to work for an extended period of time and suffer financial strain as a result. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation and more.

Wrongful Death
Have you lost a loved one because of the negligence of another person? This may be a devastating and traumatic time in your life, and a lawyer from our firm can provide the caring legal support you need to seek compensation from those responsible.

CHOOSE RELIABLE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
We believe that innocent victims should be compensated for every type of damage in their case, including the cost of medical treatment, hospital costs, testing, nursing care, rehabilitation, medications, medical equipment, loss of income from wages, both now and predicted future financial losses, as well as other economic damages. The issue regarding non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or loss of quality of life must also be addressed, based upon the degree of the injuries that the victim sustained. We know this is a difficult and emotional situation, and we are here to assist you with the legal issues that must be resolved.

More information here @ http://auto-crash-lawyers.com/

The Dangers of Mud Bogging Races

In July of this year, a fatal accident during a mud bogging race at Haislip Farm Lane took the life of the driver and injured four others. Investigators say that even though the driver was experienced, he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a pond where people were swimming. The Fluvanna County Sheriff’s investigators say that extreme heat could have played a part in the crash, but the cause of death has not been determined.

Mud bogging is a popular pastime in Virginia and races typically attract large crowds. Also known as mudding or mud running, this form of off-road motorsport determines the winner by which driver travels across the pit in the shortest amount of time. Unfortunately, there have been a number of mud bogging accidents this year that have taken the lives of drivers. A 48-year-old driver was also killed in July of this year when he competed in a mud bogging race in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Spectator videos captured the final seconds leading up the crash, and viewers can see the driver shut off the engine to the dragster and cruise across the finish line. But shortly after, the driver lost control, rolled and landed upside down on a concrete barrier. Additional units had to be called to pull the driver out of the car because the on-scene crews did not have the necessary equipment. Investigators say that even if the emergency officials on the scene had what they needed, it probably would not have made a difference in saving the man’s life.

The lack of adequate on-scene help has been a major concern of law enforcement officials with the recent string of accidents that have occurred, and it may be possible to seek compensation for injuries that take place during a mod bogging race. When mud bogging events are held at a complex, the owner of that complex is liable for keeping spectators safe from wayward racers. When a crash does occur, one of the first things that investigators look for is mechanical malfunction. Once this has been ruled out, investigators check for signs of alcohol impairment and also examine the safety procedures that were in place.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a mud bogging accident, call our team for the legal support and representation you deserve. We will conduct external investigations into the accident to determine the exact cause, and we may be able to file a claim for compensation on your behalf. With the help of a personal injury lawyer from Howard, Morrison, Ross & Whelan, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while we take care of the legal work on your behalf.