Car Accidents and Personal Injury Cases in Virginia
It's so frustrating.
With all of the car accident websites put up by lawyers and law firms (not to mention the hundreds of lawyer referal websites that are spending millions of dollars to get good search engine placement) you would think that it might be just a little easier than it is to get good, useful information about automobile accident claims. (Information a little more in depth than the typical "help the injured at the scene;" and "don't talk to anyone but the police.")
Have a question? Send a confidential message to attorney Ben Glass here.
How about some straightforward information on how to find the best lawyer for your case? There are some simple steps you can take to get beyond the lawyer advertising.
Personal injury cases are vigorously defended by the insurance industry. The resources a defendant has to fight a case are endless. Insurance companies do not settle cases fairly and fully until you demonstrate to them that you have the expert witnesses, the resources and the attorney who is going to beat them in court. Results matter.
Most Lawyer Advertising is Actually Pretty Silly.
Sadly, most lawyer advertising does little more than shout "we are aggressive" or "we care for you" or "free consultation." (By the way, what's so special about a free consultation in an injury case--EVERYONE DOES THAT!)
This almost total lack of useful information is what drove me to write the many books and special reports on car accident cases in Virginia that are available at this website.
Before you hire a lawyer or deal with the insurance company on your own you should get Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Virginia Accident Case, by filling out the form to the right.
Here are some essentials of Virginia car accident cases.
In any personal injury or wrongful death case in Virginia the injured person, or plaintiff, must prove that the carelessness or negligence of another caused injury. In Virginia any negligence on the part of the plaintiff will bar any recovery under the legal doctrine of contributory negligence.
Expert testimony may be necessary to prove some parts of your claim. Expert testimony is generally needed to prove the extent of your physical injury and the relationship of any medical bills to the defendant's negligence. Expert testimony is necessary to prove any other issues that are beyond the general knowledge of jurors, such as the extent your ability to earn a living has been impaired.
The day you were injured you entered a war zone.
Insurance companies have declared war on injured people and their attorneys. Some of them write letters to claimants to discourage them from seeking legal representation. They have waged the war in the media and their propaganda has had a tremendous effect on juries and their verdicts. The success that the insurance companies have had in tainting the minds of jurors has emboldened them to not offer fair settlements until you prove to them that you are ready, willing and able to go to trial.
In most cases today, attempting to negotiate with the insurance company before filing suit is not a worthwhile endeavor.
Insurance companies use pre-suit negotiation only to attempt to find out as much about you, your lawyer and your doctor as they can. It is our opinion that too many lawyers waste precious time attempting to negotiate with the insurance company before filing suit. If we accept your accident case it is because we believe it is meritorious and you deserve a trial by jury. We will usually file your suit before negotiating so that if negotiations break down we will already have a trial date in place to head towards.
We believe that it is a dangerous practice to wait until the statute of limitations is almost expired to file suit. We have seen other attorneys do this only to find that the defendant they sued is either not the correct defendant or is now blaming someone else. While there are legitimate reasons for delaying filing suit, there is no excuse for the practice that we sometimes see whereby some attorneys routinely wait until the last moment to see if the insurance company will settle your case.
Unfortunately, we have also seen lawyers not licensed in either Virginia or the District of Columbia attempt to represent people with claims in those jurisdictions. When the claims do not settle, they often panic to find an attorney to file the case on time. We believe that clients are ill-served by hiring attorneys who are not licensed in the jurisdiction where suit must be filed.
Once the lawsuit is filed, both sides engage in the legal process called discovery. Each party is allowed to investigate what it is the other side is going to say at trial. The defendant will be permitted access to your medical and work history, including your income records. You must give a deposition under oath and you may be required to submit to a medical examination by a physician of the defendant's choosing.
The defendant is also subject to discovery. He will answer written and oral questions about his own background and he will have to give sworn testimony about the incident at issue.
Blog for Car Accidents and Personal Injury Cases in Virginia
- The Adjuster Might Not Be Upfront About Who Pays the Medical Bills After a Virginia Car Accident
Description: Read this blog for information regarding who is responsible for your medical bills following a Virginia car accident. If you have been hurt in an accident, order a copy of Fairfax accident attorney Ben Glass’s book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
- Is There a Magic Formula Used in Virginia Auto Accident Settlements? Find Out Here.
Description: Is there a magic formula used to calculate an insurance settlement following a Virginia car accident? Read this blog to learn the answer and order a copy of Fairfax accident attorney Ben Glass’s book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
- “I’m Sorry,” Aren't the Best Words to Say After a Virginia Car Accident
Description: Two little words after a serious Virginia car accident can significantly impact the outcome of an injury claim. Read this blog post to learn more and order a copy of Fairfax accident attorney Ben Glass’s book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim. This book is free to Virginia residents.
- 2 MORE Actions That Can Hurt Your Richmond Car Accident Claim
Description: Read this blog post to find out more about the actions you need to avoid following a Richmond car accident. Be sure to order a free copy of the book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim, which will explain this topic in greater detail.
- 3 Actions That Can Hurt Your Richmond Car Accident Claim
Description: Read this blog post to find out what actions you need to avoid after a Richmond car accident. Be sure to order a copy of the book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
- 4 Tips on Finding a Richmond Car Accident Attorney
Description: If you have been seriously hurt in a Richmond car accident, you need to know what to look for when hiring a personal injury lawyer. Read this blog post for tips and order your free copy of the book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
- Insurance Company Tricks That Might Be Used on Your Richmond Car Accident Claim
Description: If you have been hurt in a Richmond car accident, be ready for the insurance company’s tricks. Read this blog post to learn more and order your free copy of the book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
- I Bet You Didn’t Know You Were at War Following Your Virginia Auto Accident
Description: As soon as you were injured in that Virginia car accident, you stepped into a war zone. Order your free copy of Fairfax accident attorney Ben Glass’s book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage May Not Have Seemed Important – Until You Were in a Virginia Car Accident
Description: Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were in a Virginia car accident with an uninsured driver? If not, you need to consider the possibility. Order a free copy of Fairfax accident attorney Ben Glass’s book, Buying Car Insurance: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Family from Irresponsible Drivers in Virginia.
- Wondering How To Reduce Your Risk of a Virginia Distracted Driving Accident?
Description: Summer travel safety tip – avoid using a cell phone while driving. Read this blog to learn more and find out how to reduce your risk of a Virginia distracted driving accident.
- Hiding Past Accidents & Injuries From Your Virginia Accident Attorney is a Huge Mistake
Description: Hiding past accidents and injuries from your Virginia car accident attorney could cause you to lose your case.
- 40 Percent Contingency Fee in a Virginia Car Accident Case – That’s Outrageous
Description: If you have been injured in a Virginia car accident and are looking for a personal injury lawyer to represent you, then you need to be aware that attorneys’ fees are negotiable. Read this blog to learn more.
- Don't Let the Adjuster Try to Intimidate You After a Virginia Car Accident
Description: Insurance companies are up to it again – they are offering lowball settlements to victims of Virginia car accidents. Don’t let the insurance adjuster intimidate you into not learning about your rights following an auto accident.
- VA House Bill HB-93 Aims To Close Insurance Loophole
Description: Virginia Bill aims to close insurance loophole UIM carriers use to save money at taxpayer's expense. Read on to see what the problem is and how VA Bill HB-93 will fix it.
- Hulk Hogan Sues His Son's Former Lawyers
- Can you really settle a case with Allstate before the day of trial
- Court rules that case brought within 2 years in another state satisfied Virginia's statute of limitations
- Payee Notification in Virginia--Some Lawyers Oppose It and They are Wrong
- “Stacking” Allowed Under Uninsured/Under-Insured Motorist Coverage Plan
- Ohio Truck Accident Case
Library for Car Accidents and Personal Injury Cases in Virginia:
- Ben Glass Answers Frequently Asked Car Accident Claim Questions
Description: Ben Glass answers your frequently asked car accident claim questions. If you have been in a Virginia car accident, you should definitely check this out. It covers talking to the insurance adjuster, figuring out who should pay your medical bills and how your can sort through lawyer advertising. - Richmond Car Accident Claims – Separating Myth from Reality
Description: Do you believe the common myths associated with Richmond car accident claims? Read this article to find out more and order a free copy of the must-read book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim. - Hiring a Fairfax Attorney After a Car Accident
Description: Hiring a Fairfax attorney after a car accident can be a tricky process. You need all the information you can get to make an smart decision. - The Difference Between Verdict and Settlement in Virginia
Description: There is difference between a verdict and a settlement in your Virginia personal injury and/or car accident case. Fairfax attorney Ben Glass has free information you may want to know to understand your individual case. - Video Surveillance and Umbrella Policies: Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company
Description: Did you know that your insurance company may be doing video surveillance on you after your Virginia car accident? There are a couple of questions you should be asking your insurance company. - Paying Your Medical Bills After a Virginia Car Accident
Description: You never want your medical bills to go to a collection agency after a car accident. Fairfax attorney Ben Glass has free information for Virginia residents who need to know how to pay their medical bills after having been in a car accident. - Notice of Dismissal Without Prejudice Information
Description: Have you received a notice of dismissal without prejudice and are a Virginia resident? Fairfax attorney Ben Glass has information you may need to know. - Dealing With Tricky Virginia Insurance Adjusters
Description: Need some help dealing with the insurance adjuster after your Virginia car accident? There are a variety of tactics to look out for that the adjuster may throw your way after the accident. Don't get pushed around by the insurance adjuster again. - Tips On Choosing a Doctor After a Virginia Car Accident
Description: Trying to choose a doctor after being in a Virginia car accident? Here are a few tips to find the right doctor after the accident. - How to Protect Yourself From Virginia's Uninsured Drivers
Description: Uninsured drivers in Virginia may be a concern to everyone else, but the uninsured don't need to be a concern. Fairfax attorney Ben Glass has free information for Virginia drivers. - Virginia Car Accident Claim Handling Myths
Description: There are plenty of myths associated with Virginia car accident claims. Fairfax attorney Ben Glass wants to help you sort through the misconceptions about car accident claims. - How to Deal With a Virginia Insurance Adjuster
Description: Virginia insurance adjusters can be hard to deal with. Fortunately, Fairfax attorney Ben Glass has free information for anyone dealing with the insurance adjuster. - Hurt in a Richmond Car Accident? You Need to Know What to Expect
Description: If you have been seriously injured in a Richmond car accident, you need to familiarize yourself with the legal process. You can do so by ordering your free copy of the book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim. - Support VA House Bill HB-93 And Fix UIM Coverage [PDF]
Description: VA House Bill HB-93 will close a loophole in the state's UIM insurance laws that allows insurance companies to make money at the expense of the state by delaying litigation and forcing settled cases to trial. - What is a reasonable fee for a car accident case in Virginia?
Description: Some lawyers charge a contingent fee of as much as 40%. Virginia attorney Ben Glass says that that's "crazy." - Slip and fall cases in Virginia get tougher [PDF]
Description: Federal Court rules that plaintiff's case dismissed for not alleging enough facts. - Virginia Court allows stacking of insurance policies [PDF]
Description: The Supreme Court of Virginia allows a policy owner to stack underinsured policies. - Virginia Legislators Have No Guts
Description: On July 1, 2009 Virginia instituted a ban on text messaging while driving. Lots of headlines. Legislators thumping their chests about how they've made Virginia safer.
What nonsense--
My position: ban the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. Make it a primary offense. If a law enforcement officer sees you yapping on your cell phone...stop and arrest. Simple. - Most claimants never thought it could happen to them
Description: Fortunately, most car accidents to not involve catastrophic injury. In fact, many accidents do not involve broken bones at all. Many claimants suffer acute or persistent neck/back pain for which physical therapy and conservative management works wonders. - It's normal to say "I never thought I'd sue someone"
Description: Most people who come to my personal injury law office say that they never thought that they would need to seek the services of a personal injury attorney.
Some express some sense of shame for being there. They say things like I don't want to screw anyone. View All
Frequent Questions for Car Accidents and Personal Injury Cases in Virginia:
- CLAIMS ADJUSTER CLAIMING TIME LIMIT: I was in an accident and recently the claims adjuster wrote me a letter that says :unless we hear from you within the next 21 days, we will close our file and consider this matter concluded." Can they do this?
- HANDLING CAR REPAIRS: I was hurt in a car accident in Fairfax and my car was damaged. How do I go about handling the car repairs, so that it doesn’t affect my injury claim?
- INSURANCE ADJUSTER KEEPS CALLING: What do I tell the insurance adjuster who keeps calling? I haven’t even finished my medical treatment since the accident.
- INSURANCE COMPANY ASKING WEIRD INFORMATION: Why does the insurance company keep asking me for information that doesn’t seem to relate to my car accident and injuries? I just don’t get it.
- SETTLEMENT VS. TRIAL: What would be the benefits of settling a Virginia car accident claim versus going to court?
- REIMBURSING MY HEALTH INSURANCE: Will I have to reimburse my health insurance company if I win the lawsuit against the driver who caused the car accident?
- STILL WAITING ON SETTLEMENT OR PAYMENT: I don’t understand it – the insurance adjuster seemed so helpful right after my car accident in Fairfax, but I still haven’t gotten any type of settlement offer or payment. What is going on?
- LAWYER IF INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTS ME: I was in a car accident in Virginia involving four vehicles. The police issued me a ticket for following too closely. It’s been a month since the crash and one of the other driver’s insurance company is trying to contact me. Do I need a lawyer?
- I CAUSED THE ACCIDENT: What happens if I cause a Virginia car accident? Do I need to hire a lawyer and who pays for damages?
- OTHER DRIVER LIED: What happens when the other driver lies to his insurance company? I was injured in a car accident and found out that the driver told his insurer that no one else was hurt. Can I still obtain compensation?
- NOT NOTIFYING THE INSURANCE COMPANY: A driver with a suspended license hit me in a shopping center parking lot. The driver admitted fault, but asked that we keep the insurance companies out of it. I was able to take pictures of the accident scene, even though there was no police report. Now I am experiencing back pain. What are my options?
- MULTI-CAR PILEUP: I was recently injured in a multiple car accident. The cars in front of me were stopped, so I started to slow down. However, the pickup truck behind me didn’t and slammed into the back of my car, which caused a pile up. Can I pursue a claim for my injuries?
- TOO MUCH PAIN TO WORK: I was hurt in a Virginia auto accident and my medical bills are piling up. My back and neck were injured in the crash and I am in too much pain to work. The accident was the other driver’s fault, as he fell asleep behind the wheel. Can I sue him to recover compensation to pay my medical expenses?
- BACK INJURY: I was in a car accident and hurt my back pretty badly. The other driver rear-ended me at a stoplight. Ultimately, I had to have surgery for a herniated disc, but the driver’s insurance company said the accident wasn’t bad enough to cause my injuries. What should I do?
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TEENAGE DRIVER: My 19-year-old son was in an accident in my car, which was his fault. He is now being sued. Can I also be sued?
- DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY: How do you know if you need a lawyer? I was in a car accident in Northern Virginia. There were injuries and damage to the vehicles, but the other driver is claiming liability. I was thinking about trying to settle with the insurance company without an attorney’s help.
- OTHER DRIVER UNINSURED: My children and I were all injured in a Virginia auto accident that was caused by the other driver. It turns out the driver doesn’t have insurance. Can we still obtain compensation for our injuries?
- I AM UNINSURED, BUT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT: I was hurt in a car accident in Fairfax, but I didn’t have auto insurance at the time. The collision was not my fault. Can I still pursue compensation from the other driver’s insurance company?
- CONCERNS ABOUT ALLSTATE: I've been in an accident in Northern Virginia and the other driver is insured by Allstate. I've read a lot of things about Allstate. Should I be concerned?
- CAR REPAIR PAYMENTS: Who should pay for my car repair?
Case Results for Car Accidents and Personal Injury Cases in Virginia: