Auto Accident

We’ll Work Hard to Ensure You’re Not Unfairly Blamed for a Crash

Because Virginia uses a contributory negligence system in personal injury claims and lawsuits, victims must be 100% free from fault to be eligible to receive compensation. That can be a big issue in auto accident claims, as police reports, other drivers, and insurance companies can easily argue that injured drivers committed at least one minor violation that contributed to their crashes.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’re well aware of this challenge when it comes to getting compensation for victims. That’s why we work hard to gather evidence that not only establishes that other drivers are at fault, but that our clients couldn’t possibly have contributed to their crashes.

Evidence we look for includes footage of the crash, which may come from dashcams, intersection cameras, residential and commercial security cameras, and more. We also interview witnesses, consult with accident experts, and even reconstruct crashes when necessary. These are all steps that must be taken in certain cases to ensure that the truth comes out.

After a crash that wasn’t your fault, you can’t risk being assigned even 1% of fault. This is enough to invalidate your claim and make you ineligible to get ANY compensation, which will leave you paying out of pocket for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Don’t be a victim twice. Let our hard-working Virginia auto accident lawyers get you every penny you’re owed. Contact us today for a free consultation.

How Car Accidents Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries

Accidents are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., and many of those occur on the nation’s roadways. 38,000 people are killed annually in auto accidents in America, and around 3 million people are injured in crashes each year. And while many of those injuries are minor bumps and bruises, some people suffer catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

TBIs can have profound effects on victims and their loved ones. They can render victims helpless to care for themselves and live independently, and they can make it difficult or impossible for them to work. Many victims also need extensive, frequent medical care, including live-in nurses and caretakers.

How do car accidents cause these debilitating and disabling injuries? There are a few ways, including:

• Direct impact—Some TBIs are caused when victims hit their heads on their vehicles’ steering wheels, dashboards, or headrests. They also may be struck by loose objects inside their vehicles.
• Sudden deceleration—TBIs can occur even when there’s no direct impact. That’s because the sudden deceleration of a crash can cause the brain to move violently inside the skull, resulting in a serious injury.

Both of these causes of TBIs aren’t always immediately obvious. Sometimes victims may think they’re okay at the scene and after going home, but their symptoms may worsen, especially if they have a brain bleed. That’s why it’s vital for auto accident victims to get full examinations after crashes.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia brain injury attorneys stand up for the rights of all car crash victims, especially those who suffer such profound injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.

VA Drivers, Don’t Skimp on Uninsured/Underinsured Driver Insurance!

Virginia is one of around 20 states that requires drivers to purchase uninsured/underinsured driver insurance. This insurance kicks in when drivers are involved in crashes with other motorists who either don’t carry enough insurance to cover their crash-related costs, or they don’t have any insurance coverage whatsoever.

However, the minimum amounts of coverage associated with uninsured/underinsured driver insurance are the same as the minimum amounts of liability coverage. That means that if you’re hurt in a crash, you may be eligible to receive only $25,000 for your injuries and medical bills. And when you factor in costs such as an ambulance ride to the hospital, an overnight stay in the hospital (or longer), physical rehabilitation, and even surgery, you’re looking at a bill that will be much higher than $25,000.

That’s why it pays to have more coverage than the minimum, whether it’s your own liability insurance or your uninsured/underinsured driver coverage. You can also supplement your insurance policy with Medical Payments coverage. This coverage, also known as Med Pay, kicks in after any injury-causing crash, regardless of who was at fault, and it’s paid out in addition to any other compensation you receive.

You can also add lost income benefits coverage, which will help you replace lost paychecks while you’re too hurt to work. This insurance maxes out at $100 per week, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but can make a big difference when you’re waiting for your injury claim to settle.

Need help with an injury claim after an auto accident? The Virginia auto accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why You Should Get a Dashcam to Protect Your Rights

When it comes to winning an auto accident compensation claim, proof and evidence are king. Without them, insurance companies can reduce or deny claims with near impunity, because they know that even if claims go to trial, victims are unlikely to win. And unfortunately, proof of what happened isn’t always easy to come by.

Even many traditional forms of evidence, such as accident scene debris, skid marks, and witness statements, can be argued in either party’s favor. But there is one form of “smoking gun” evidence that insurance companies can’t ignore: dashcam footage. Previously, drivers had to hope that their crashes were caught on tape by intersection or surveillance camera footage, but now, drivers can cheaply mount their own cameras to record every second that they’re on the road.

And while dashcams don’t always show the entire picture of what happened, as their fields of view can be limited, what they do show can make a big difference when it comes to getting compensation. The footage they capture is especially important and impactful when it’s combined with other types of evidence.

If you purchase and install a dashcam and are ever involved in a crash, it’s important to share the footage with a lawyer first. Not all dashcam footage will be interpreted in your favor, and the insurance company may pick out small, irrelevant details to paint you as the at-fault party! Get in touch with our Virginia auto accident lawyers first, and let the legal team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers protect your rights to compensation.

Can You Sue if Ice Causes Someone to Hit You?

Virginia’s winters can get very cold, and when temperatures drop below freezing, ice becomes a major threat. Even vehicles equipped with snow tires and four-wheel drive are prone to losing traction and skidding on icy roads. But what happens if a driver loses control on ice and hits your vehicle? Can you sue them for damages?

As with all auto accident cases, the answer is: it depends. In many cases, drivers lose control on ice through no fault of their own. Sometimes, they drive over a patch of black ice that causes them to lose all control over their vehicle and they hit another car. That can happen even if they were following at a safe distance, weren’t distracted, were driving at a safe speed, and had both hands on the wheel.

But sometimes, ice-related crashes ARE due to negligence. For example, speeding makes crashes much more likely to happen, especially when ice is on the road. Distraction can also make it more difficult for drivers to react in time to avoid a crash, which is amplified by the presence of ice. And driving under the influence can significantly impair drivers’ ability to steer out of a patch of ice that causes reduced or lost control.

If you’re involved in a crash this winter, the Virginia auto accident attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to help. We’ll investigate what happened and work hard to prove the other driver was at fault. Then, we’ll push the insurance company to give you the compensation you’re owed. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Should You Get MedPay Auto Accident Coverage in Virginia?

When you drive on Virginia’s roadways, you’re always putting yourself at risk of being involved in an auto accident. And if you are involved in a crash, you may suffer injuries and property damage, which can both be expensive. Because of the costs associated with crashes, all Virginia drivers are required to carry liability auto insurance, but not all drivers do. In fact, around 10% of Virginia motorists are uninsured.

If you’re injured by an uninsured motorist in Virginia, you can still file a compensation claim against them and try to recover your costs from their own personal assets. But there’s a good chance they won’t have enough to cover your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Thankfully, you can protect yourself from that situation by purchasing MedPay coverage for your auto insurance.

As with all insurance claims, there’s a chance your MedPay claim will be reduced or denied by your insurance provider. But that’s to be expected, and that’s where we come in. Simply having the coverage means you have a much greater chance of getting the money you’re owed when you’re involved in a crash, especially if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. In addition, MedPay coverage kicks in even if the other driver IS insured, which means you get more money to get back on your feet.

Purchase as much coverage as you can afford, and if the insurance company doesn’t cooperate, know that you’ve got an advocate in your corner at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers. Contact our Virginia auto accident lawyers after a crash for a free consultation—we’re here to help.

Can You Get Money if You’re Partially at Fault for a Crash?

Virginia uses a contributory negligence rule when determining fault and liability in crashes. It means that drivers who are involved in crashes are only eligible for compensation if they’re determined to be 100% innocent of causing them.

Because of Virginia’s strict law when it comes to auto accident claims, it’s even more important to get an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer than it is in other states. That’s because insurance companies know they can get away with denying your claim if there’s any doubt concerning who was at fault and whether all the blame falls on the other driver or just a percentage of it—even if it’s 99%!

In addition to calling a lawyer right away, it’s also important to do two things after a crash to protect yourself:

1. Never admit fault to the police or the other driver—If the responding police officer notes that you admitted fault, it may be game over for your claim. In addition, evidence may later reveal that you had nothing to do with the crash. It’s best way to let the facts show what happened.
2. Avoid discussing your crash—When you report the crash to your insurance company, stick to the facts. In addition to not admitting fault, don’t volunteer information. Also, don’t talk about the crash on social media. Your statements may be twisted and used against you.

Even if fault is established at the scene by a police officer, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be revised or changed as more information is gathered and analyzed. Get Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers on your side today after a crash. Contact us now for a free consultation.

Less Traffic Shouldn’t Mean Less Focus Behind the Wheel

According to a report by the Virginia Department of Transportation, there have been fewer vehicles on the state’s roadways during the COVID-19 pandemic than at other times. However, the percentage of crashes involving speeding vehicles and drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts has increased. In addition, the number of deaths related to those factors has also gone up.

What does this mean? It can be inferred that many drivers are becoming too relaxed and even careless behind the wheel, especially when they look around and see fewer cars on the road during their daily commutes. Driving is a task that requires undivided attention, focus, and concentration. All it takes is one momentary lapse for a crash to occur.

In addition, driving on a less busy street should never be an invitation or a green light to suddenly disregard traffic laws or push the envelope. Speed limits are posted for a reason, and they’re enforced whether it’s just you on the road or you’re driving in heavy traffic. In addition, dangerous behaviors such as texting while driving and driving under the influence put you at risk regardless of how many cars, trucks, and SUVs are nearby.

Unfortunately, our Virginia auto accident lawyers know that too many drivers have let safety slip from their minds while driving in recent months. If you or someone you love gets injured in a crash caused by a careless driver, we want to help. Get in touch with the legal team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

3 Steps to Take Before Leaving the Scene of a Crash

The aftermath of an auto accident can be difficult to deal with. Car crashes are loud, shocking, traumatic, and painful. It can be hard to think straight when you’re still at the scene, especially if you were hurt. Your top priority during this time is making sure you, your loved ones, and other victims get the needed medical attention. But if you’re capable of doing so, there are a few other steps you should take to protect your rights to compensation.

Those steps include:

1. Get contact information from others—It’s vital that you’re able to contact the other driver or drivers. Get their name, phone number, email address, and insurance information. Getting contact information from witnesses is also important.
2. Cooperate with police, but don’t admit fault—Stay at the accident scene until you leave in an ambulance or are told you’re free to leave by police. Cooperate with them while they’re at the scene, but never admit fault, as doing so could make you ineligible to pursue compensation.
3. Take pictures of the crash scene—The position of your vehicle and other vehicles involved will change quickly after the crash as the scene is cleaned up. Taking pictures of their positions from a safe location, as well as damage, skid marks, and other markings can serve as valuable evidence.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia auto accident attorneys know that it can be difficult to keep a clear head after a crash. But the closer you stick to the steps outlined above, the more likely you may be to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

How You Can Strengthen Your Claim after a Crash

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, it’s our job to do the heavy lifting after an accident. We’re here to collect evidence that proves you weren’t at fault. Then, we determine how much money the insurance company owes you for your medical bills and lost wages. We also handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to be passive during the recovery process.

How to Strengthen Your Claim After a Crash

There are a few things you can do to strengthen your claim after a crash and assist us while we work to get you paid. They include:

• Stay off social media—Insurance adjusters will do anything to pay victims as little as possible. Sometimes, that means using their posts, tweets, and pictures against them. Don’t risk it—stay off social media until your claim settles.
• Go to your doctor’s appointments—You suffered a serious injury and you need compensation for what you’ve gone through. But if you don’t regularly make your doctor’s appointments and follow their orders, the insurance company might think you aren’t hurt as bad as you claim.
• Always tell the truth—Another tactic adjusters use is finding conflicting statements made by victims. If you’re truthful about the severity of your injuries throughout your recovery, you won’t give them ammo to use against you.

Seek Legal Help to Get the Most Out of Your Claim

The best way to strengthen a claim after a crash is by hiring a law firm that knows these types of case. Your attorney will immediately get to work on your case to make sure you’re given the payment you deserve.

Our Virginia auto accident attorneys are here to fight for your rights to compensation and to help you make the right decisions after the crash. Don’t trust just any law firm to get it done. Contact us today, and let us put our years of experience to work for you.