Comparative vs. Contributory Negligence in Virginia: How Fault Affects Your Personal Injury Claim
Fault matters, especially in a Virginia personal injury case. Even if another driver, property owner, or company was mostly responsible for your injuries, just 1% of fault on your part could prevent you from recovering anything. That's because Virginia follows a pure contributory negligence rule, one of the strictest liability systems in the nation. In most other states, comparative negligence laws permit injured victims to recover partial compensation even if they share some degree of fault. But in Virginia, contributory negligence means that any degree of fault, no matter how small,...
Read MoreLost Wages After a Car Accident in Virginia: What You Need to Know
A serious car accident can leave you with more than physical pain. For many Virginians, the financial fallout begins almost immediately, missed workdays, medical appointments, and recovery time can quickly add up to weeks or even months without a paycheck. Fortunately, Virginia law allows injured drivers and passengers to claim compensation for lost wages as part of a personal injury claim. Whether you're an hourly worker, a salaried employee, or self-employed, you may be entitled to recover the income you've missed, and in some cases, the future earnings you'll lose if your injuries...
Read MoreFederal Trucking Regulation Violations in Virginia Accident Cases: How FMCSA Rules Impact Liability
Commercial trucks move most of the freight that keeps Virginia's economy running, but when those massive vehicles aren't properly maintained or managed, the results can be catastrophic. To prevent that, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict safety rules that every trucking company and driver must follow. Yet far too often, investigations after a crash reveal serious FMCSA violations, from falsified logbooks and skipped maintenance to overloaded trailers and unqualified drivers. These violations don't just break the law; they put every driver on the road...
Read MorePunitive Damages in Virginia Wrongful Death Lawsuits: What Families Need to Know
The loss of a loved one leaves a void that can never truly be filled. When that loss results from another person's reckless or malicious actions, the pain is compounded by anger, confusion, and a desperate need for justice. While no amount of money can bring back someone you love, Virginia's legal system recognizes that some wrongful deaths involve conduct so egregious that ordinary compensation is insufficient, and that's where punitive damages enter the picture. Punitive damages represent the legal system's way of saying, "What you did was so unacceptable that you must be punished,...
Read MoreTrucking Company Negligence and FMCSA Violations in Virginia: Holding Carriers Accountable After Serious Accidents
When a truck accident happens, most people assume the driver is at fault. But in many Virginia truck crashes, the real cause lies deeper, with the trucking company that put an unsafe vehicle or a fatigued driver on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict national rules to keep commercial trucks safe, covering driver hours, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and cargo loading. Yet every year, investigators find thousands of FMCSA violations that lead directly to preventable accidents across Virginia's highways. When trucking companies cut corners...
Read MoreVirginia Fatal Truck Underride Accidents: Legal Options for Grieving Families
Few crashes are as devastating as truck underride accidents. When a smaller vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a tractor-trailer, the results are almost always catastrophic, often fatal. These collisions happen in seconds but leave families facing a lifetime of loss, unanswered questions, and financial uncertainty. In Virginia, fatal truck underride accidents often occur on highways where tractor-trailers stop suddenly or lack adequate safety guards. Despite federal safety standards, many trucks still operate without compliant underride protection, putting drivers and passengers...
Read MoreFiling a Claim for a Delayed Whiplash Injury in Virginia: What Victims Need to Know
Not every car accident injury shows up right away. For many Virginians, whiplash pain begins days or even weeks after a crash, long after the adrenaline fades and the paperwork is filed. By then, insurance companies may question your claim, or deny it altogether, because the injury wasn't "immediate." But delayed whiplash injuries are real and medically recognized. Even low-speed collisions can cause micro-tears in neck muscles and ligaments that worsen over time. The pain, stiffness, and headaches that follow can disrupt your work, sleep, and quality of life. If your symptoms...
Read MoreDistracted Driving Accidents in Virginia: How to File a Lawsuit and Protect Your Rights
It only takes a glance. A quick text, a song change, a moment of distraction, and everything can change. Distracted driving isn't just careless; in Virginia, it's claiming lives and livelihoods every single day. In the few seconds it takes to look at a phone or reach for something in the car, a driver can travel the length of a football field, without ever seeing what's in front of them. The consequences are devastating. Families lose loved ones. Survivors face mounting medical bills, weeks or months away from work, and the emotional toll of knowing the crash could have been...
Read MoreWrongful Death Lawsuit Attorney in Virginia: Your Guide to Justice and Compensation
Losing a loved one in a sudden accident is devastating. When that death is caused by someone else's negligence, whether through a car crash, medical mistake, or unsafe workplace, the loss feels even harder to bear. Families in Virginia not only face emotional grief but also the financial realities of funeral costs, lost income, and a future forever changed. Virginia law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking justice and financial recovery from the responsible party. But these cases are complex. Virginia has strict rules about who can file, what damages...
Read MoreMotorcycle Accident Insurance Claims in Virginia: A Complete Guide for Riders
Riding a motorcycle in Virginia offers freedom on scenic roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway or coastal highways. But it also comes with risks; motorcyclists are far more vulnerable in crashes than car drivers. When an accident happens, insurance becomes the lifeline for covering medical costs, lost wages, and bike repairs. Virginia's insurance system, however, has unique twists. The state follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning if you're even 1% at fault, your claim can be denied entirely. Add in disputes over uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical...
Read More