FAIRFAX PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Fairfax Personal Injury Attorneys

Thousands of Fairfax County residents are injured every year in accidents, collisions, trip and falls, and all manner of personal injury situations. Many people hear about these accidents, and don't think much of them. But the truth is that the consequences of an injury go far beyond that which can be easily seen, like casts and crutches, bruises and blood. Injured people have to deal with a litany of rising medical expenses and prescription costs, and a constant barrage of insurance adjusters and medical debt collectors, all after their own interests. This is a significant burden to bear by yourself. But the good news is you do not have to fight alone!

If you have been injured in Fairfax County through no fault of your own, you have the right to file a claim for your compensation, and to fight for your rights. That's what we are here for! The attorneys and staff at Blaszkow Legal are dedicated to fighting for you, not the insurance companies. Our job is to get you the compensation that you deserve.

Attorney Joe Blaszkow has been fighting for injured Virginians for almost 40 years. He has taught a new generation of attorneys, paralegals and staff to utilize the unique Blaszkow Legal Method to work each case, and to maximize our clients' recoveries. At Blaszkow Legal you are more than just a number - you are a client with a case. Get help from an experienced Fairfax personal injury attorney today!

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

The term personal injury is generally very broad, and includes a wide variety of different kind of incidents that injure innocent people. These include:

• Car accidents. If you have been hurt in an automobile accident in Fairfax County that was not your fault, you have the right to recover compensation for your damages. However, the insurance companies do not make this easy, because of the particularities of Virginia law. They will use anything they can to attack and minimize your case.

• Truck accidents. Truck accidents can be among the most severe cases we work, and can even lead to fatal injuries. Blaszkow Legal fights for injured individuals, as well as their families. No case is too large.

• Pedestrian accidents. Crossing the street can be dangerous, in the world where some drivers focus too much on their cell phones and on-board infotainment systems. Blaszkow Legal knows how to gather the evidence to make your case, and hold the negligent driver accountable.

• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles are convenient and fun, but are sometimes dangerous to ride because other drivers do not pay full-time and attention to their two-wheeled companions on the roadway. Motorcycle accidents can result in very serious, and sometimes catastrophic injuries.

• Bus accidents. Fairfax County is home to numerous bus routes and lines, both public and private. We will help to fight against the government agencies and insurance companies who don't want to give you fair value for your damages. From the Fairfax Connector to Metro, we have battled them all.

• Premises liability. People can be hurt just by entering onto another's property. This often happens in slip and falls and trip and fall situations. There are other instances, such as falling debris, construction site incidents, negligent security, and more. We can help to hold negligent Property Owners responsible for your injuries.

• Catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries can arise from any personal injury incident, and are often systemic in that the injury affects more than just one body part. Catastrophic injuries dramatically change a person's entire life. From broken bones to internal organ damage, to paralysis, all catastrophic injuries deserve the best representation possible.

• Wrongful death. Losing a loved one is never easy, and it seems to be much worse when the death was entirely preventable through the use of ordinary care, and due regard. Blaszkow Legal fights for the survivors, and the families of the lost.

How Much is my Fairfax Personal Injury Case Worth?

This is one of the most common questions that we get asked, and there is no simple answer. No two cases are the same. Two people in the same vehicle, hurt in the same accident, may have very different cases, because of disparities of injuries and treatment.

Generally, damages are what you can recover after a personal injury incident. There are three kinds of damages that make up your total claim:

1. Economic damages. Economic damages are easily quantifiable, in that they are black and white. They can be proven through documented evidence, at very exact amounts. Some examples of economic damages include: medical expenses, prescription receipts, future medical expenses, diminished value of vehicles, lost wages, and more.

2. Non economic damages. These damages seek to compensate you for the impact of your injury into the other facets of your life, that are not black and white. Some examples include: pain and suffering, impairment in activities of daily living, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent injury, scarring, disfigurement, and more.

3. Punitive damages. Punitive damages are not awarded regularly, but they specifically seek to hold the negligent party accountable, and to punish the negligent person for their conduct. They are also designed to serve as a warning to others, to discourage such conduct in the future. However, Virginia law recognizes only certain times when punitive damages can be awarded, such as against a drunk driver.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Virginia?

The time you have to file a lawsuit after a personal injury action in Virginia is two years from the date of the accident (per Virginia Code 8.01-243). However, in a wrongful death case, the two years does not begin to run from the date of of the injury, but rather from the day that a person dies as the result of another's negligence.

However, this two-year timeline is not the only deadline that you have to be worried about! If the at-fault party (the person, persons, or company) who caused your injuries was a government entity, whether local, county, state, or federal, there are other notice deadlines that apply. If you do not provide the proper "notice" to the government agency, then they may be able to defeat your claim on procedural grounds. Always contact an attorney immediately, because these timelines are different, based on who the defendant turns out to be.

Contributory Negligence in Virginia Personal Injury Cases

Virginia is a state that practices a very specific kind of law, known as "contributory negligence," when relating to tort cases. This applies to almost all personal injury matters. The doctrine means that if the injured person (called a claimant or plaintiff) is even 1% responsible for the happening of the accident, then that person cannot recover.

This is a doctrine that the insurance companies love, and they will use as often as they can. Never speak to an insurance company without an attorney! Remember - anything you say CAN and WILL be used against you, by them!

How a Fairfax Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

In any case, it is the responsibility of the claimant to prove their injuries, and also to prove that the other party was at fault. As soon as you hire Blaszkow Legal, we set our team to work in doing exactly that. We commence a thorough and immediate investigation into your case, and into all people who are responsible. It's important to keep in mind that the longer you wait, the longer you risk that evidence can be lost. Time is very much a concern.

It is our job to give you the guidance you need to get the best medical care you can, and to make your case. As soon as you hire an attorney, the better.  One thing that you have to keep in mind is that the insurance companies work for their stockholders, not for you. They don't make money by paying injured parties. You need someone to fight for you, and that is exactly what we do.

Contact an experienced Fairfax Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you have been hurt due to no fault of your own, then you have the right to fight for compensation. If you try to go it alone, however, you may find that everyone seems to turn against you, from doctors to insurance companies. Mostly, that is because everyone has their hand out.

Don't let people take advantage of you. Engage an experienced Fairfax Personal Injury Attorney at Blaszkow Legal and let us do the fighting for you, so you can focus on your recovery, and putting your life back together. Get Justice with Joe Blaszkow, and call us today for a free consultation: 703-879-5910