If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Virginia, you may be facing a long recovery, time away from work, and mounting medical expenses. Getting full and fair compensation for these losses isn’t always easy, especially in a state where even slight fault can prevent
You can sue Uber after an accident, but only in limited cases when it was negligent in hiring or other practices. Drivers are contractors, not employees, so Uber is generally not responsible for their actions. To get fair compensation when the accident was the Uber driver’s
Injured passengers in a car accident may be unsure of what to do or if it’s possible to seek compensation for their treatment. Because passengers are rarely at fault in an accident, they usually have the right to pursue damages against the drivers responsible. Knowing what
If you’ve been hit by another driver and injured in a car accident, you may be facing a long time out of work. If so, you’ll likely lose wages, putting you and your family under even more financial stress than mounting medical bills already caused.
A fair settlement is the goal of any Virginia car accident claim. When your case settles, you and the other party agree on a specific amount of money to compensate you for your losses without going to court. Getting to that point isn’t always easy, but knowing what to expect can make the car accident settlement process smoother.
Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can guide you through each step of the process and improve your odds of achieving a favorable result. Contact us online or call (757) 333-3333 to address your car accident questions in a free, no-obligation consultation.
As of July 1, 2024, all Virginia motorists are required to carry legally mandated minimum amounts of liability auto insurance. Drivers are no longer able to opt out of purchasing car insurance by paying the commonwealth’s uninsured motorist vehicle fee. The new law aims to reduce the number of uninsured or underinsured drivers on the road. However, in cases where drivers don’t adhere to the new law, uninsured motorist coverage can still help.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault in Virginia, you have the right to file a claim for damages. Who you file that claim with, however, depends on the accident. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses, you can file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim with your own insurer.
Getting into a motor vehicle accident is always stressful. If a driver does not stay at the accident scene, matters only worsen. As Hampton Roads personal injury lawyers, we have seen many accident cases made more complicated by an at-fault party’s decision to flee. Leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury, death, or property damage in Virginia is not only reprehensible —it is a serious crime.
Punitive damages, sometimes known as exemplary damages, are awarded by courts to punish defendants for egregious behavior. They are difficult to obtain since you must prove the wrongdoer’s conduct was so deliberate or reckless that it reflected a conscious disregard for the safety of others. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case and help you build a strong case for both punitive and compensatory damages.
Driving is a basic part of daily life for most Virginians and their families. Regardless of how carefully you drive, you still face the prospect of another driver negligently causing an accident. So, can you sue for emotional distress after a car accident in Virginia? Thankfully,
Key Takeaways As of July 1, 2024, car insurance is required in Virginia. Until that date, drivers can still pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee instead of carrying insurance. Auto insurance coverage minimums will increase in January 2025. The state has expensive penalties for failure to
Is Virginia a no-fault state for car accidents? The answer is no. Virginia is an at-fault insurance state, meaning you can sue the person responsible for your accident to collect damages. Proving fault is especially important because Virginia also has strict contributory negligence rules, meaning you could lose the right to recover if you were partially at fault. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers will protect your rights after a crash in Hampton Roads.
In Virginia, a lawsuit is always brought against the at-fault driver and not against the insurance company directly. This rule is different than some other states which under certain circumstances allow you to name the insurance company for the at-fault driver as a party defendant. If you are hurt in a Virginia car wreck the insurance details will not be obvious in a case.
The most frustrating thing about a motor vehicle accident is trying to deal with the insurance company about the property damage to your vehicle. However, understanding how property damage coverage works in Virginia can be difficult. This is where a well-versed car accident attorney from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help.
There are few things in life quite as unsettling as a car accident. In a matter of seconds, your life can be changed by a serious injury. Even if you don’t seem to be seriously hurt at the scene of an accident, a minor injury can become a major injury if it is overlooked, and in many significant conditions – such as brain injury or spinal injury – symptoms may not appear until later. Our Virginia car accident team at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers has helped clients like you throughout Virginia and beyond to get the compensation you deserve. With all of this in mind, it is important to take a few key steps to protect your rights and your health in the immediate aftermath of an auto accident.
Right-of-way laws are crucial to maintaining the safety of Virginia’s roads. They define which driver has to yield in specific traffic scenarios, such as when two cars approach a stop sign or a vehicle needs to make a left turn.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has codified laws that define right of way throughout the state. Anyone operating a motor vehicle in the state must follow these rules or face traffic infractions and fines. Failing to yield the right of way can also affect fault and legal liability in an accident.
Whether you’ve been in a crash or are trying to avoid one, understanding right of way laws in Virginia is essential for all drivers.
Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users, and the most common motorcycle accident injuries are often severe. Nearly 1700 motorcyclists were injured on Virginia’s roads in 2022. Of those, 762 suffered serious injuries. Some types of injuries are particularly rampant among Virginia motorcyclists. At
Since motorcycle accident cases often result in catastrophic injuries, they can be worth millions. However, case values vary widely based on the specific circumstances. Countless factors can affect motorcycle accident settlement amounts.
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we seek maximum compensation for every case that comes our way. Thanks to our approach, we’ve recovered millions in case results for our clients, including $7 million for a motorcycle accident victim. Our skilled legal team can evaluate your case and help you understand how much it may be worth.
Motorcycle helmets are effective in reducing serious head injuries and death. The Virginia universal helmet law mandates that all motorcycle riders wear helmets and other safety gear while operating or riding a motorcycle.
It can be difficult to focus on critical legal steps after a motorcycle accident, especially when you are treating your injuries. However, the first 24 hours after the accident can be critical as you alert the proper authorities, seek medical attention, gather evidence, and protect your legal rights.
Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can guide you through every step by dealing with the insurance companies and handling all the legal details. We have 120 years of combined experience and a record of success, including a motorcycle crash claim that resulted in the fifth-highest settlement in Virginia in 2023.
Schedule a free consultation with a Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer today by calling (757) 333-3333.
Multiple parties can be liable for the same truck accident. Along with Virginia’s unique laws, this fact often makes determining who is liable in a truck accident challenging.
If you or a loved one was harmed in a truck accident, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help you identify all the liable partiesy. Our Virginia personal injury lawyers have a strong track record of securing favorable results for truck accident victims and their families. We’re ready to investigate your accident and hold the responsible parties accountable.
The length of the truck accident settlement process in Virginia depends on several factors, including the severity of injuries, the complexity of liability, and negotiations with the insurance or trucking company. Understanding this process is essential because once you agree to a settlement, you will sign a full release of all claims, permanently closing your case. This means you cannot seek additional compensation—even if you later discover your injuries are more severe than initially thought.
The aftermath of a truck accident can be incredibly stressful to drivers or passengers. Not only may you or a loved one be dealing with devastating personal injuries, but the experience of colliding with a commercial vehicle means a fight against powerful insurance and trucking companies to recover damages for those injuries.
Trucking companies know the stakes are high and they may face big pay-outs if their drivers caused a wreck. Typically, they send their own insurance agents and lawyers immediately to the scene of a truck accident to protect their financial interests. These representatives may conceal evidence, be underhanded or pressure you to provide a statement. What you do in the moments following a truck accident is pivotal to your chances of gaining compensation. In the aftermath of a big rig accident, you need to recover the most you can for very serious injuries. You can count on the advice our Virginia truck accident lawyers can provide to get you through such an accident.
The commercial trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the Department of Transportation, which has established a number of rules and regulations to help prevent truck accidents and ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods nationwide.
There are many causes of truck accidents, but often they involve a violation of FMCSA regulations, which can make your case more complex. Norfolk, Virginia truck accident lawyers John Cooper, Jim Hurley, Bill O’Mara and Griff O’Hanlon have many years of combined experience handling these cases and know exactly what to look for when it comes to proving a violation of the law and seeking the full compensation you are due.
A personal injury claim, particularly after a car accident, may result in a settlement. You may wonder how to calculate a fair settlement if you are a plaintiff.
A quick Google search may turn up settlement calculators that estimate your case value. Unfortunately, online settlement calculators are pretty unreliable. Too many elements can affect the value of your claim to make a realistic estimate without the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Instead, it helps to have a solid understanding of how courts and insurers calculate car accident settlements. With this knowledge, you’ll know what to expect when discussing your case with your Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers attorney. We are here to answer your questions and ensure you know your rights.
If your personal injury case goes to court, you might need an expert witness to prove your case. The role of an expert witness in your trial can prove pivotal in the success of your case. Expert witnesses use their specialized knowledge and training in a specific field to assist the court with understanding technical and scientific concepts. Common types of expert witnesses include medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, accountants, and engineers.
The parties’ attorneys select personal injury expert witnesses before a case goes to court. Your Virginia personal injury attorney must have a strong network of local experts in relevant fields to find the best professional for your case. At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we work with a network of expert witnesses, so we know exactly where to turn when there are questions in your case that require professional expertise.
Suffering a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, after a car accident impacts every part of a person’s life. Confusion, sudden personality changes, chronic pain, and other new developments make a challenging time even harder to handle. Filing a lawsuit and building a strong case can feel impossible, especially on your own.
While proving a TBI can be complex, it is achievable with the right evidence and support. Comprehensive evidence, detailed medical documentation, and expert testimony are often crucial in connecting your accident to your injury and building the strongest case. An experienced TBI attorney can help you fight for justice after a TBI, handling the heavy lifting on your case so you can focus on your recovery.
A survival action claim is one that works to repay a person’s estate for the suffering their loved one endured due to the negligence of another. In other words, it covers the losses that would be brought up in a personal injury claim had the person survived. This can help your family hold the responsible party accountable and can help pay for any medical bills and other expenses your loved one incurred due to the negligence of another.
When you are struggling following the death of a loved one, our attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can be there for you. We can walk you through the Virginia survival action case process so that you can know what to expect. By working with an experienced wrongful death attorney you can make sure you are making the decisions that are right for your case.
Motorcyclists have options on the road that other drivers don’t, but they are still subject to traffic laws. For example, lane splitting is illegal in Virginia, and motorcyclists who lane split may face reckless driving charges. If an accident occurs while you are lane splitting, your action may eliminate your ability to get compensation for your injuries.
However, Virginia does permit some related practices, including lane sharing. The trusted legal team at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options as a motorcyclist in Virginia. Call (757) 333-3333 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
If you’re serving in the military on active duty, your TRICARE Prime medical insurance covers medically necessary treatment from in-network providers —military hospitals and authorized civilian providers. But what happens if an active duty service member is injured in an accident and receives emergency treatment out-of-network?
Virginia crosswalk laws are designed to enhance safety for both pedestrians and drivers. Obeying these laws can help you avoid injury and support your claim for damages if a vehicle strikes you. While obeying the law is crucial to protecting your right to file a Virginia pedestrian accident lawsuit, there are many additional precautions you can take to protect yourself from harm when on foot.
Even if you obey the law, collecting compensation after a pedestrian accident can still be challenging without a skilled attorney at your side. Our experienced Virginia pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to investigate your case and work to maximize the value of your claim. Call (757) 333-3333 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
While an accident may only last for a moment, its repercussions can linger for the rest of your life. After an accident, you can sue for pain and suffering. However, because of their subjective nature, plaintiffs need strong evidence and legal advocacy to recover the full value of their pain and suffering damages.
In most cases, the Virginia personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of your accident. This deadline for filing a lawsuit applies to cases such as car accidents and slips and falls. Wrongful death claims in Virginia also have a two-year statute of limitations, which generally starts running from the date of death.
Don’t wait until you’re approaching the deadline to contact our experienced personal injury attorneys. Filing after the deadline means losing your right to compensation. Acting quickly also gives our attorneys time to investigate, collect critical evidence, and prepare your case. By getting started early, we can approach settlement negotiations and court from a position of strength, improving your chances of receiving fair compensation. It is best to promptly hire a law firm after an accident.
Punitive damages, sometimes known as exemplary damages, are awarded by courts to punish defendants for egregious behavior. They are difficult to obtain since you must prove the wrongdoer’s conduct was so deliberate or reckless that it reflected a conscious disregard for the safety of others. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case and help you build a strong case for both punitive and compensatory damages.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you may be wondering, “How long does a personal injury lawsuit take to resolve?” You may also be anxious to resolve your personal injury claim as quickly as possible so you can move forward with your life.
That is understandable. However, remember that a quick resolution can leave money on the table. Depending on the complexity and circumstances of your case, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year to secure full and fair compensation. Though some cases are settled quickly, patience is key.
Knowing what to do if you get hit by a car while walking in Virginia can make all the difference if you decide to seek compensation. First, focus on getting immediate medical attention for severe injuries.
Once you’ve taken care of your health, you can start building a strong claim by requesting a police report, gathering evidence, and contacting an injury attorney. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can provide further guidance to help you protect your rights.
It’s important to follow proper procedures after a boating accident to avoid charges. Just as drivers face trouble if they leave the scene if a car accident, you can face criminal charges for not reporting a boating mishap.
The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries sets out the rules for reporting a boating accident in the Commonwealth.
Even if you are not sure whether you suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the most important action to take is to get medical treatment. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose and treat an injury and, the longer you wait, the worse the prognosis could be. The other action you should take after a Virginia Beach traumatic brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence is contacting a knowledgeable attorney.
A skilled Virginia TBI lawyer can help guide you through the claims process and make sure you are making the right decision for your case. The lawyers at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers work with people in this situation often and have the resources and experience necessary to help you work towards the best possible outcome.
Property owners and managers have a legal responsibility to keep their property safe for anyone who may use them. Inadequately maintained premises can be dangerous for unsuspecting patrons and visitors, often resulting in serious personal injury.
