Defamation Liability and the case of Vicki Iseman v. The New York Times – A Recap

Attorney W. Coleman Allen, Jr.

Author: Attorney W. Coleman Allen, Jr.

The tort of defamation occurs when an individual, corporation or media outlet negligently publishes a false statement concerning a private individual, or in the case of a public figure, publishes a false statement with malice. The higher standard that must be met with regard to a public figure reflects the court’s efforts to balance the… [ read more ]

The Recorded Statement: A Trap for the Unwary

Attorney Elizabeth M. Allen

Author: Attorney Elizabeth Morrell Allen

You’ve been in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault. Within a few days, an adjuster for the insurance company of the guy who hit you calls on the telephone. The adjuster wants you to give a recorded statement telling her how the accident happened and also asks you to provide some personal information. She says she wants to help you,… [ read more ]

Discover Petersburg, a Historic City in Southside Virginia

Petersburg Office of Allen & Allen

Author: Attorney Elizabeth Morrell Allen

Conveniently located at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 85 and Virginia Route 460, the City of Petersburg overlooks the falls of the Appomattox River just 25 miles south of Richmond, Virginia. Petersburg is an old city. Its origins date from the establishment of Bristol Parish in 1643 and Fort Henry in 1645-1646. The town itself was established in 1748. Before the Civil War,… [ read more ]

Water Craft and Boating Safety

Attorney Paul D. Hux

Author: Attorney Paul D. Hux

Warm weather is coming, and that means people will be enjoying the outdoors and water sports. We need to be careful when being around the water. One minute it can be beautiful and fun and the next it can turn into a life threatening accident.

If you use a Jetski… [ read more ]

What Happened to Fair and Reasonable?

Author: Egena T. Younger

Egena Younger, Claims Consultant

I worked on the defense side for insurance companies for over 17 years. I experienced many years of investigating, evaluating, and negotiating automobile and commercial claims. From the first day of work, I was told to settle cases for a fair and reasonable amount. I was proud to represent the insurance company and its investors by checking every bill and report, to ensure that only what was… [ read more ]

What is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

Attorney Charles Littlepage Allen

By Attorney Charles L. Allen

“What is my case worth?” I am often asked this question by clients when I am first getting to know them. The simple answer is this; whatever a jury says it is worth.

Some people with personal injury claims are surprised to find out that they are not automatically entitled to a… [ read more ]

Safety Myth or Reality —Are Teenage Drivers at a Higher Risk for Crashes and Fatalities?

Gayle Bragg

By Gayle Bragg

We frequently hear in the local news about automobile crashes and fatalities involving teenage drivers. Are teenage drivers involved in accidents more than other age groups ? Recently I had the opportunity to study reports from Virginia Commonwealth University Transportation Safety Training Center-Crash Investigative Team. The reports provide a comparison of crash frequencies and causes are examined to explore reasons why and what possible remedial actions can be taken to… [ read more ]

What Should I Do At The Scene of a Car or Truck Accident?

Car and truck accidents create confusing and chaotic scenes. Knowing what do to at an accident scene can help protect your rights after the accident. Here are some general guidelines to follow at an accident scene.
Do I have to stop?

Yes. The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident (including car accidents, truck or tractor trailer accidents, or motor cycle accidents) must stop immediately if (1) a person is injured or killed or (2) if an attended vehicle or other attended property is damaged.

So you want to go to law school? How to get into the law school of your choice.

Attorney Tamara L. Jezic

By Tamara L. Jezic

So you’ve been reading the Allen and Allen blog, and now you’re inspired to become a personal injury lawyer. Next step: applying to law school! Here are some tips from my personal experience on getting into the law school of your choice:

The Rule of Seconds – Calculating Safe Following Distances

Attorney Elizabeth M. Allen

By Elizabeth M. Allen

The other day while working on a case, I was reviewing the Virginia Commercial Driver’s Manual. This Manual outlines the information truck drivers must know to pass the state’s exam to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The Manual describes a rule for a truck driver to use to calculate a safe following distance (see CDL Manual, pages 1-21). It’s called the… [ read more ]