Legal Question in Personal Injury in Virginia
Taking Beginning Steps
What are the steps that need to be taken towards beginning a personal injury action against someone?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Taking Beginning Steps
This is really not a "Do it Yourself" project. At the very start, you need to determine any possible witnesses before memories fade. You need to establish as much information as possible about the cause of the accident (or whatever it is). Ideally, you would want to take people's deposition as quickly as possible.
Most important, you would need to document the CAUSE of your injuries and the NATURE and EXTENT of your injuries.
The biggest problem with a PI case -- which is not easy -- is proving that the accident caused your injuries.
The defense will argue that you already had the injuries before the accident. You got the injuries AFTER the accident. That the accident did not cause the injuries, etc.
That is simply because you are injured does not mean THIS accident caused your injuries (they will say).
And then you have to prove what is the dollar cost of treating your injuries, etc., etc.
You should keep a diary or log of any periods of pain or suffering, lost days from work, etc.
Re: Taking Beginning Steps
The easiest thing to do is to hire an attorney to help you. The attorney can guide you through all this. Feel free to call or email me if you need further help or need a referral.