What Drivers Should Know About Speeding In Virginia

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Too many drivers view a speeding citation as just a ticket, but in Virginia being cited for driving more than the speed limit can be a serious issue depending on certain factors. A common practice among drivers is to pay the ticket before court because it lessens the financial impact of any court costs that could make matters worse beyond the fine. But, the truth is that this is actually an admission of guilt and will often generate demerit points against a driving record. Also, the registered speed beyond the limit can ultimately impact the amount of the fine. A conviction for speeding can be a problem in the future, and pleading guilty always deserves serious evaluation.

What an Attorney Can Do

The novice driver who receives a citation has limited ability to build a defense against the charge, primarily when the case is classified as reckless driving. It does not take an accident for this to occur. Exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph can result in an enhanced ticket if the officer stresses case seriousness in court. Even though there is a court cost associated with appearing, the damage, in the long run, can be minimized when an experienced speeding ticket attorney can convince the court to reduce the charge by investigating the evidence. This also includes the cross-examination of the officer.

Long Term Damage

The real issue with a speeding conviction is that it stays on the defendant’s driving record and can be used again for harsher penalties in any subsequent driving issue. Speeding is not the only driving decision that can result in demerit driving points, which could be important if being involved in an accident at a later date and excessive speed is a case issue. Many individuals lose driving privileges in Virginia when they reach the magic number of points against their license, and the first group to notice will be auto insurance providers. The financial impact of insurance, in the long run, is always the ultimate problem for drivers who plead guilty without a case evaluation because premiums can be increased for several years based on driving records.

It is always important to defend against any charge in the court system. An experienced Richmond Virginia reckless driving attorney can often convince the prosecutor officer to reduce the charge, especially with a first ticket, which could save much pain in the future for the defendant.

What is the Average Car Accident Settlement?

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The truth about auto accidents is that there are no “average” collisions because each incident will have some type of unique circumstances, normally based on the extent of injury. Compensation for vehicles or other property damage can be calculated based on the value of the property, but being compensated for injuries depends on a number of factors even in obvious negligence situations. Insurance claims adjusters use a number of tools when assessing the value of a bodily injury claim, all of which are designed to limit the financial damage to the insurance company. They are trained professional negotiators just like personal injury attorneys who serve to provide a professional voice for the injured claimant. Even in states like Washington that utilize pure comparative negligence law, it is still vital to have solid legal representation when filing an accident claim. 

Comparative Negligence Defense

One of the most common arguments from insurance company claims adjusters is that an injury was partly the fault of the claimant. This is typically even used in a two-vehicle collision where one driver is clearly largely at fault. Insurance company claims of comparative fault are important because injured drivers will have their total claim value eligibility discounted by their comparative negligence percentage. However, percentages are not determined until a case goes to court where the judge and jury can evaluate all of the material case evidence. Your accident attorney can inspect all elements of the case while formulating a detailed presentation demonstrating the true level of negligence among all parties, including auto parts manufacturers when defective product evidence is present. 

Extent of Injury

Another typical defense in an auto accident claim is that the injuries occurred prior to the fact or the degree of injury is not as bad as the claimant states. Claims adjusters have actually been known to request a medical evaluation by a “independent” medical professional to develop a counter claim of lower injury damage. This possibility is why it is imperative to meet all physician and treatment appointments, especially during the rehabilitation period of the injury. Diagnosis and prognosis can be easily balanced, but the true value of the settlement is often based on the long-term damage the injury presents for the claimant’s life going forward. The extent of injury will impact the value of the claim more than any other element because it is difficult to predict the future, often resulting in a settlement for maximum available insurance coverage. 

Contact a Washington Personal Injury Attorney

It is never a good decision to attempt handling an accident case personally because claims are typically much more valuable than the injured party realizes. Always call a professional Vancouver car accident attorney who understands the tactics of the insurance providers and has the expertise to craft a personal injury case for maximum value. Studies have shown that claimants with legal counsel receive over twice as much as those who handle the claim personally, typically based on the fact that injured claimants are dealing with trained professionals who focus on reducing accident claims on a daily basis. The lawyer you choose can matter greatly, and you only have one opportunity for compensation. Always make it count.