Common Questions About Personal Injury, Family Law, and Criminal Defense in Virginia

Broken rib injuries are not uncommon in Virginia car accidents. On impact, the force of the steering wheel on the chest can be strong enough to damage ribs as well as internal organs such as the lungs or spleen. This type of injury can be scary since it can also interfere with the victim’s ability to breathe. Victims need an experienced car accident attorney to help ensure they get the compensation they deserve. 

Symptoms and Complications of Broken Rib Injuries

The symptoms of a broken rib might include:

• Pain in the chest area
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Painful breathing
• Dizziness and lightheadedness

It is essential that victims who suspect they have a broken rib injury seek medical treatment immediately. Rib bones that are moved out of alignment because of the force of a crash can cause life-threatening punctures and damage to the lungs, blood vessels, soft tissues, and organs. Even with moderate trauma, lung bruising and swelling can develop, requiring emergency care. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to developing pneumonia because they cannot breathe deeply or cough due to the pain of their injury.

Treatment in mild cases usually focuses on managing the pain and limiting strenuous activity. In more serious cases, patients might need a chest tube or other surgery, a blood transfusion, or artificial ventilation.

Recovering Damages After a Broken Rib Injury

An experienced car accident attorney can help you recover damages from the party responsible for the accident, including:

• Medical treatment, including treatment for complications
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Lost income during your recovery
• Pain and suffering

Call an Experienced Virginia Car Accident Attorney

When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve a fair recovery, but you must act quickly. If you don’t seek compensation within the two-year statute of limitations, you will miss out on obtaining damages. Please contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn about your rights and how we can help your situation.

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There is no simple answer because every child accident case is different; however, if your child is injured in an accident, the best course of action is to make an appointment for a consultation with an experienced child injury attorney. They can evaluate your child's case and the potential value of your claim. Because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, you have nothing to lose by making an appointment. 

How Child Injury Accidents Happen

Some of the most common causes of injuries to children include:

• Car accidents. Kids can be injured while they are passengers in a vehicle or while they are crossing the street or riding a bike, scooter, or skateboard.
• Playground accidents. Kids frequently get hurt at playgrounds, especially when playground equipment is not properly maintained or if children are not supervised properly.
• Child abuse. Younger children and children with special needs are particularly vulnerable to child abuse injuries because they lack the ability to defend themselves.
• Other causes. Children can be injured in swimming pools, by accidental poisoning, in slip and falls, and from burns from stoves or open fires.

Recovering Damages on Behalf of Your Child

Children who are under the age of 18 are unable to file lawsuits on their own behalf, but Virginia law allows parents to sue for damages. Damages that may be recovered in a child injury claim may include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Loss of wages if parents have to take time off work to care for the injured child
• Past and future pain and suffering
• Disfigurement, scarring, or permanent limitations
• Property damage and other incidental expenses sustained due to the negligence

Contact a Fairfax Personal Injury Attorney

When your child is injured by the negligence or criminal acts of another, they have the right to recover damages. Call a child injury lawyer to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.

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When you’ve been injured in an accident with a delivery truck, obtaining a fair settlement requires different evidence and sometimes more aggressive litigation than if you were in a crash with a car. Drivers in accidents with commercial vehicles often suffer very serious injuries, and the insurance companies for the defendants are likely to lose a lot of money in a personal injury case. Thus, they will fight hard to save money.

What to Do After You’re Injured by a Delivery Truck

If you’re not seriously injured, there are important steps to take following a truck accident. After calling 911, you should:

• Take pictures and/or videos. If you can, photograph the accident, the cars involved and their damage, and the street area where the crash occurred. These pictures can provide significant evidence for your personal injury case. Also, take pictures of your injuries and any other evidence that could help prove the truck driver was at fault.
• Gather contact information. It’s important to collect contact information from the people involved in the crash, as well as from any bystanders and eyewitnesses. This includes names, addresses, and insurance information. If eyewitnesses are willing to be recorded, take a phone video of their conversation with you.
• Restrict your information. Don’t admit blame to the police or any insurance company adjusters who may be sent to the scene. Don’t give a recorded statement to anyone, and don’t talk about your injuries. For example, if you make a general comment such as “I’m okay,” it could harm your case later. And your assessment may simply not be true. You could have serious injuries that have not presented yet.
• Contact an experienced, skilled truck accident attorney. Truck accident cases are often very complex and involve many potential liable parties. It’s important to have a skilled truck accident attorney on your side to give you the best chance of obtaining fair compensation.

Contact Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC

If you were injured in an accident with a delivery truck, a personal injury case can be complex and require a great deal of evidence. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you could be disabled and out of work for a significant period of time. The attorneys at Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi can help.

Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys will work to help you negotiate a fair truck crash settlement. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay nothing up-front. We only get paid when you get paid.

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Many people who are injured in a car accident want to know how much their case is worth. But there is no formula or calculator to determine the amount of damages you might receive. Instead, your compensation will be based on a number of factors, including the extent of your injuries, the quality of gathered evidence, and the expertise of your legal representation.  

Understanding How Personal Injury Damages Are Determined

Some of the costs you have incurred because of your injury such as medical bills and lost income are relatively easy to prove as long as you have copies of bills and pay stubs. If you are unable to return to your job, you may receive compensation for potential income losses. These can be more difficult to prove, but it can be done with a well-presented case that includes expert witnesses.

Pain and suffering is often a significant part of your financial recovery, and the amount you receive is usually based on statistical data from the insurance company. An attorney can advocate for you by gathering relevant evidence to show how your injuries interfered with your daily life. This can include:

• Medical records
• Photographs of your injuries
• Pharmaceutical bills, particularly for painkillers
• Expert testimony from a physician about your injuries
• Testimony about changes in your behavior or ability to do everyday tasks
• Records about changes in your performance in school or work
• A journal recording when you experienced pain and mental discomfort

Contact a Virginia Car Accident Attorney

Don’t navigate the legal system alone. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you have a better chance of receiving the damages you deserve if you work with an attorney. Give us a call, or fill out our confidential contact form.

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The Metrorail, which is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), is one of the busiest transit systems in the nation. The system serves commuters in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Even though officials are responsible for keeping commuters safe, WMATA often receives criticism for its oversight of safety measures. Metro accidents include serious collisions and derailments and personal injuries that happen to people in stations, waiting areas, and elevators.  

Common reasons injuries occur at WMATA stations include:

• Poorly maintained stations and waiting areas that can cause slip and falls
• Falling objects
• Failure to accommodate people with disabilities
• Improperly maintained or serviced elevators

Compensation From WMATA Personal Injury Accidents

Being injured in a metro station accident takes a physical and financial toll on victims. Every personal injury case is unique, but typical compensation for personal injury accidents includes:

• Medical bills and hospital expenses
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and potential reduced income
• Pain and suffering

Why You Need a Lawyer

Because WMATA is a tri-jurisdictional government agency, it can be tricky to bring a case against it. For a regular personal injury claim in Virginia, the statute of limitations is two years. But if you intend to take action against the WMATA, you must file within one year of the incident. You can improve your chances of having a successful case and receiving the maximum amount of damages by working with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Navigating the claims process and working with insurance companies without representation by an attorney can be a costly mistake.

If you were injured at a WMATA station, call us for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys will go over the details of your case and gather evidence that may prove your injury happened because of negligence on the part of WMATA. You will pay no up-front legal feels. We work on a contingency basis, so we only get paid if you recover damages.

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A collarbone fracture is a common car crash injury. It frequently happens when the seatbelt that saved your life by holding you in place pulls with so much force, your collarbone, also called a clavicle, simply snaps. The collarbone connects the upper part of the breastbone to the shoulder, so it is in a prime location for injury from the force of the seatbelt. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect yours is broken. 

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Clavicle Break

If your shoulder is sagging downward and forward after a crash, and you cannot lift your arm because it’s too painful, you need to see a doctor. A physician will examine the injured area and take X-rays to identify a collarbone break.

Treatment of a broken collarbone includes:

• An arm sling
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Physical therapy as the bone heals

For more serious breaks, you might need surgery.

Potential Complications

Your broken collarbone will likely keep you out of work for a while, but in most cases, treatment goes smoothly and you’ll be back to normal in just a few months. Sometimes, however, the following complications can prevent a smooth healing process:

• The area in the body where your collarbone is located contains many nerves and blood vessels. If you have numbness around the area, this could mean the jagged edges of the broken bone created some additional damage.
• If your bone broke through the skin in the crash, this could lead to the injury site becoming infected.
• As the collarbone fuses back together, there is sometimes a lump visible through the skin at the site. Although the lump often goes away over time, it is permanent for some people and can leave them feeling self-conscious.

Call a Virginia Car Accident Attorney

A collarbone fracture is a painful injury, but you may be able to recover damages for your medical bills, time missed from work, and other expenses. Talk to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Schedule a free consultation today.

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If you are bitten by a dog in Virginia, you can handle the case without an attorney, but you shouldn’t. Having a personal injury attorney on your side can save you a lot of stress and help maximize your potential compensation. 

Why You Need an Attorney

Although victims survive the vast majority of dog bites, many find themselves needing reconstructive surgery to repair the damage caused by the attack. Dog bite injuries include lacerations, puncture wounds, nerve damage, crushed bones, and torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Costs related to the injuries can add up—not only for medical treatment but for lost wages and pain and suffering.

If the dog that bit you belongs to a friend or family member, having an attorney is crucial to handle the negotiations. You might be worried that suing could ruin your relationship and could be financially devastating for them. If they have renter or homeowner insurance, their insurance company will likely cover the costs of your injury claim. However, their insurance premium will probably go up.

When you have lost a loved one because of a dog attack, you are likely struggling to come to terms with the loss and unsure of what to do. An attorney will be invaluable during this difficult time, helping you build a case against the owner of the dog, so they are held responsible for the devastating loss.

Contact a Virginia Dog Bite Attorney

If you were injured because of the negligence of a dog’s owner, you have legal options for recovering damages. A personal injury claim can cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation about your dog bite case, contact Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC, in Fairfax, Virginia.

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When you are involved in a car accident, it’s not unusual to be unable to remember the crash or the moments leading up to it. This memory loss makes many accident victims wonder if they’ll be able to pursue a legal case. Chances are, you may still recover damages, although every situation is unique. Contact an accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. 

Causes of Memory Loss After an Accident

Although many believe memory loss occurs because an event may have been too traumatic and the mind wants to forget, the truth is that the brain’s focus is on survival rather than creating memories. This is what is known as the “survival response.”

Additionally, head injuries are a common cause of memory loss. A blow to the head can cause a concussion, edema, a skull fracture, and/or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many victims experience memory loss as a result.

Filing a Claim When You Cannot Remember the Accident

Although accident victims may not be able to remember the details of the crash, they still deserve to be compensated for their injuries. With the help of an experienced attorney who can conduct a full investigation into the negligence that caused the accident, there are ways to piece together the details of the crash by gathering the following evidence:

• Medical reports
• Police reports
• Eyewitness testimony
• Videos from traffic or security cameras
• Photographs taken at the scene

Although the chaos that occurs after an accident can make it difficult to remember specific details about what happened, it’s helpful to write down whatever you can remember about the incident as soon as possible afterward.

Call Our Northern Virginia Car Accident Lawyers

If you suffered injuries because of the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation—even if you cannot remember the crash. An experienced attorney can provide assistance in helping you gather evidence to support your claim against the other driver. You may be able to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

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If you have been injured in a car accident, you expect that your medical treatment will be paid for by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When your treatment includes chiropractic care, you will need to prove that it is essential to your recovery to have the costs covered under your claim. 

How a Chiropractor May Help With Your Injuries

Anyone who is in a car accident should receive immediate medical attention—even if they don’t think they’ve suffered any injuries. Soft tissue injuries, including backaches, neck pain, stiffness, and soreness, often don’t show up until hours or days after the crash. If your physician is unable to do much in the way of treatment other than prescribe pain pills, you might decide to see a chiropractor for these types of injuries.

Chiropractic sessions might provide the following benefits to accident victims:

• Spinal adjustments to bring the spine back into alignment, which can increase neurotransmitters and hormone levels, positively impacting the central nervous system
• Breakdown of scar tissue that can cause stiffness and soreness after an accident
• Pain control and decreased need for prescription pain medication
• Range of motion restoration, which can help with the healing process
• Management of minor injuries, so they don’t become worse or chronic

Paying for Chiropractic Care After an Accident

Medical care may be needed for a full recovery following an accident, but you will have to prove that chiropractic care is an essential treatment. Document everything, including records from your physician, as well as the following:

• A list of all symptoms
• Treatment records from your chiropractor
• How treatment has helped with your injuries

Be sure not to delay getting treatment after your accident. Waiting too long could make it more difficult to prove that your injuries were the result of the car accident. Having an experienced attorney on your side, as well as the proper medical documentation, can help you get the settlement you deserve.

Get the Full and Fair Recovery You Deserve

If you've been injured in a car accident, you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Call today to make an appointment for a free consultation.

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If you experienced road rash injuries in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have a case against the at-fault party for damages. Road rash is a common term for an injury that causes part of the skin to be rubbed off. When a collision throws a motorcycle rider onto the road surface, the abrasions can cause serious damage to the skin. 

Different Degrees of Road Rash

There are different degrees of road rash, including:

• First-degree road rash. The most minor type of road rash gives skin the appearance of a bad sunburn. This type of abrasion usually doesn’t break the skin or cause more than minor scrapes.
• Second-degree road rash. This type of abrasion breaks the top layers of the skin, and debris such as dirt and rocks is often lodged in the wound. Although treatable with over-the-counter remedies, if the injured party gets proper medical attention, this can reduce the chances of permanent scarring.
• Third-degree road rash. When all five layers of the skin have been scraped off, you might be able to see tissue, muscle, fat, or bone. Immediate medical treatment is necessary. There is a high risk of infection with this type of road rash.

Consequences of a Road Rash Injury

When you have suffered road rash in a motorcycle accident, you will likely incur significant medical expenses. In addition to medical treatment, you may even require cosmetic surgery. You may lose income if you are unable to work while you recover. If you have severe disfigurement because of the road rash, you might be unable to return to work because of your altered appearance. This could mean reduced income earning potential in the future.

There are also non-economic damages to consider, including trauma and pain and suffering. These are more difficult to quantify, which is one reason it is so important to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer.

Virginia Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys Offer Personalized Service

If you or a loved one suffered road rash or other injuries in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced lawyer on your side. Call us, so we can go over the details of your case.

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