May
11
2009
Attorney J. David Douthit
Author: Attorney J. David Douthit
Distracted drivers. We’ve all seen them, doing things like talking on a cell phone, adjusting the radio, or reading the newspaper. Maybe we’ve even been one of them. In its most recent session, the Virginia General Assembly decided to take action against one form of distracted driving: drivers who are texting while driving.
Effective July 1, 2009,… [ read more ]
May
6
2009
Attorney Courtney Van Winkle
Author: Attorney Courtney Van Winkle
The caller ID on my cell phone showed the call was coming from the middle school. It was only 1 o’clock in the afternoon and my heart skipped a beat. I stepped out of a meeting to retrieve the call. As soon as I heard the nurse’s voice, my son’s name and the words head… [ read more ]
May
4
2009
Article by Bree King & Attorney Melinda H. South
Bree King, Claims Consultant
Attorney Melinda H. South
Recently I received a call from a young man who had signed a Release to settle his personal injury claim. He wanted to know if he had any recourse. It turns out he had signed a Release only three weeks after his motor vehicle accident even though he was still in pain. He… [ read more ]
Apr
29
2009
Author: William P. Bootwright
Bill Bootwright, Claims Consultant
It’s often been said, and with good reason, that the contributory negligence defense is “an insurance company’s dream” and plaintiff’s “worst nightmare.” Under the common law doctrine of contributory negligence, there is no comparison of fault between the wrongdoer and the injured person. If the injured person is even 1% at fault in a way that significantly contributes to cause the… [ read more ]
Apr
27
2009
Summary by: Robert L. Mertig
Robert L. Mertig, Claims Consultant
As summer approaches, it’s important to be aware of recent changes in the boating laws in Virginia pertaining to the operation of personal water craft (PWC) such as Jet Skis and motorboats. These changes include a schedule of required licenses and boating safety instruction that begin to take effect this summer. Over the next few years, eventually all users of PWC will be required to… [ read more ]
Apr
13
2009
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 ]
Apr
6
2009
Claims Consultant Chris Cloude
Author: Chris Cloude
You are driving to the grocery store taking your time and following your normal route. As you approach an intersection, the stoplight is green and you proceed into the intersection. Out of the corner of your eye you see a flash, and your car is hit on the passenger side.
A few days later, an adjuster calls you from the insurance company for the person that hit you.… [ read more ]
Mar
25
2009
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 ]
Mar
18
2009
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 ]
Feb
23
2009
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 ]
