Elena Kagan Nominated to the United States Supreme Court

Attorney Tammy S. Ruble

Author: Attorney Tammy S. Ruble

President Obama has nominated Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court to take the place of the retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. If she is confirmed, Ms. Kagan will be only the fourth woman to serve in the Court’s history.

The authors of the Constitution established the Supreme Court in Section 1 of Article III of the Constitution, which reads simply:

The… [ read more ]

Memorial Day – A Time to Remember

Attorney Melinda H. South

Author: Attorney Melinda H. South

The last Monday of May is Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer – a day for picnics, barbecues, family reunions, parades and sporting events. Two auto races are run on Memorial Day: the Indianapolis 500 since 1911 and the Coca-Cola 600, since 1961. There is also a National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the United States Capitol.… [ read more ]

Why do I need an attorney to represent me in my personal injury case?

The insurance policy requires the person who caused your accident to contact the insurance company promptly. As soon as the accident is reported to the company, they begin an investigation and begin preparing to defend the company against your claim. Insurance company employees are knowledgeable about claims and are trained to make your claim cost the insurance company as little as possible.

You need someone knowledgeable working on your claim and looking out for your interests as soon as possible… [ read more ]

Does it matter which attorney I hire for my tractor trailer accident case?

Your choice of a lawyer in a tractor trailer accident case may be crucial to its success. The laws and regulations governing tractor trailer drivers and large trucking companies are unique in many ways. Special federal and state laws and safety regulations apply to the operation of large trucks and 18-wheelers. These laws and regulations are extensive. They cover a wide range of topics including requirements for thorough truck inspections… [ read more ]

Bicycle safety tips

Richmond Accident Attorney J. David Douthit

Author: Attorney J. David Douthit

Obey traffic laws. While being operated on public roads in Virginia, bicycles are subject to many of the same traffic regulations that apply to motorists. See Code of Virginia sections 46.2-100 and 46.2-800. There are some exceptions to this general rule. For example, while it would constitute reckless driving for two cars to be driven abreast in a single lane,… [ read more ]

Legislative “Caps” on Recoveries: An Unseen “Bailout” Taxpayers Pay for Every Day

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico from the British Petroleum platform is a catastrophe of growing proportions. Recent projections that the spill could turn the corner of Florida and cover the beaches of the East Coast bring this disaster uncomfortably close to home. Nobody should make political hay out of a disaster, but we cannot ignore the history lesson before us.

Since the 1990′s, there has been a concerted effort to limit the rights of juries to assess… [ read more ]

Frequently Asked Question – Are there any special state and federal laws or regulations that could affect my tractor trailer accident case?

There are state and federal laws and regulations that apply specifically to commercial truck drivers or tractor trailer drivers and the trucking companies that employ them. These laws and regulations can sometimes hold the key to a successful outcome in your case. This means your attorney must be familiar with the rules in order to handle your case properly. For this reason, it is important to hire an experienced tractor trailer accident attorney.

The… [ read more ]

Interstate Rest Stops to Reopen Allowing Truck Drivers to Catch a “Break”

An Update on Virginia Rest Stops

Shortly before taking office, Governor Bob McDonnell announced he will reopen the interstate highway rest stops closed last summer because of Virginia’s budget shortfall. 1 As of April 15, 2010, all 19 have now been re-opened. 2 Although all tired motor vehicle drivers will benefit from this development, long distance tractor trailer operators should benefit the most.

At The Allen Law Firm, our [ read more ]

Should you represent yourself or hire a lawyer in a small civil suit?

Fredericksburg Personal Injury Attorney Kathleen Llewellyn-Duncan

General District Courts in Virginia

Author: Attorney Kathleen Llewellyn-Duncan

If you want to file a civil suit in Virginia representing yourself rather than hiring an attorney, there are several things to consider. You would need to decide on which court to file in. 1 Your decision affects the costs and potential recovery in your case. If your case is worth less than $4,500,… [ read more ]