Practice Areas

What to look for in a GREAT Virginia auto accident attorney
Description: After a serious motor vehicle crash, you may decide that you need the help of an experienced auto accident attorney. How on earth do you find one? Here are three things to look for to help you find not just a good but a GREAT personal injury attorney to help you secure the compensation you deserve after an accident.
Drowsy Driving: a major contributor to serious auto accidents?
Description: Driver fatigue may be a contributing factor in tens of thousands of auto accident injuries and perhaps thousands of deaths every year across the U.S., yet it is an issue that receives little attention from lawmakers and the public. A recent fatal car crash in Culpeper may have been due to driver fatigue, which begs the questions: how big is the problem of drowsy driving, and why is it so difficult to come up with accurate statistics? If the real number of accidents that can be attributed to driver fatigue could be determined, the issue might get the attention it deserves.
How Negligent Drivers Contribute to Serious Winter Car Accidents
Description: Have you or someone you love been injured in a serious Virginia auto accident this winter? Do you suspect that the other driver was at fault? There are a number of ways that the behavior of negligent drivers can contribute to car crashes. This article describes several of them.
Rollover crash testing winnows list of top safety picks for 2010
Description: Injuries from auto accidents tend to be less severe in vehicles with better safety features, which is one reason that the government and other safety-focused organizations evaluate and rank vehicles each model year. This year’s IIHS list of Top Safety Picks includes rollover testing for the first time, which has dramatically reduced the number of vehicles earning IIHS’ top marks.
Four vehicle maintenance issues that can lead to serious auto accidents
Description: Could your attempts to save money lead to a serious auto accident? If you are struggling to make ends meet in these difficult economic times, make sure that you don’t skimp on important vehicle maintenance. This article lists four important maintenance issues that should never be put off, because they could cause a serious traffic crash if ignored.

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Tractor Trailer Accidents:

Trucking companies, distracted drivers and the pursuit of profit
Description: Distracted driving is attracting a lot of attention, both in Virginia and at the federal level. Proposed federal bans on the use of text messaging devices and onboard truck computers by interstate truck drivers are also being talked about, much to the chagrin of trucking companies. Would these bans actually save motorists from being involved in a deadly tractor trailer accident? Research seems to indicate that they would.
Fatal Truck Accident Statistics for Virginia
Description: One of the most deadly types of motor vehicle accidents on Virginia roads involve tractor trailers. Because of their immense size, they often kill or seriously injure the occupants of smaller vehicles. Throughout each year data is compiled by the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and made available to the public. This article contains a summary of fatality data for large truck accidents in Virginia from 2008.
What Causes Large Truck Accidents?
Description: Truck accidents often lead to serious injuries, even death. Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas discuss the findings of a study of large truck accidents. The study listed common reasons and contributing factors of semi-truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP at (800) 741-1012 for Culpeper or (888) 907-2631 for Warrenton.
Are Medically Unfit Bus and Truck Drivers Endangering Your Life?
Description: According to recent investigations and congressional inquiry, there are numerous bus and truck drivers on the road today who are not legally allowed to drive a bus or truck. Sadly, these medically unfit drivers have caused countless accidents and deaths over the years, many of which could have been prevented had the federal government acted sooner to crack down on illegal drivers.
The Deadly Facts about Tractor Trailer Accidents
Description: Large trucks are more likely to be involved in fatal multi-vehicle accidents than passenger vehicles, and if they collide with a passenger vehicle, occupants of the passenger vehicle are more likely to suffer injury or death because of the enormous size difference between the two vehicles. Considering how deadly large truck accidents can be, advocacy groups are calling for the federal government to do more to reduce the annual number of injuries and deaths from truck accidents.

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Drunk Driving Accidents:

It’s not only drunk drivers who are to blame in Virginia DUI crashes
Description: Hurt in a Virginia drunk driving accident? You may be wondering where to turn for help, and what kind of justice you are going to receive for your injuries and suffering. In drunk driving cases, it isn’t always just the driver who can be held accountable for negligent behavior after a crash. Two high jury award cases from across the country show how blame can rest with more than just the driver.
Virginia Supreme Court: Anonymous tip not enough to pull over a drunk driver
Description: If you witness a driver who appears to be driving while intoxicated, it seems reasonable to expect that you can call the police and have them do something about it before the driver causes a serious accident. However, a recent Virginia Supreme Court ruling means this may not happen. A driver who was found to be driving while intoxicated because police stopped him based on an anonymous tip has had his conviction overturned, which could make it difficult for police to keep Virginia’s roads safe from drunk drivers.
Drivers support device to prevent drinking and driving
Description: Without question, drinking and driving is a serious problem in Virginia and across the United States. One proposed solution is to install alcohol detection devices in all vehicles, to prevent driver with a BAC over the legal limit from driving. According to a recent IIHS survey the idea has a surprising number of support from the general public.
Virginia to Crack Down on Drunk Driving
Description: Ever noticed how some drivers think they can evade DUI checkpoints by taking back roads to get home? The good news is that Virginia’s law enforcement officers are finally doing something about this hidden danger. Virginia’s Governor Tim Kaine recently announced the latest crackdown aimed at getting drunk drivers off the road, specifically off of rural roads. With the support of Virginia State Police and local law enforcement officers, the 2008 Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign has been launched – the seventh year running for this initiative.
How Would Lowering the Drinking Age Affect Teen Drivers?
Description: The drinking age debate has become inflamed again recently as over 100 college presidents put their name to a petition urging legislators to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. However, any student of US transportation history will remember the disastrous effect this change had when it was tried in the 1970s.

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Uninsured Motorist Claims:

Sour Economy Causes Increase in Uninsured Motorists on Virginia Roads
Description: Tough economic times will lead to an increase in the number of uninsured motorists on Virginia highways according to a study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). This is a problem for responsible motorists who pay for auto insurance because serious auto accidents with uninsured motorists leave the responsible motorists footing the bill. Not only that, but the number of underinsured motorists will rise as well, as people with insurance look for ways to cut costs.
The Impact of Uninsured Motorists
Description: Auto accident cases involving uninsured negligent motorists can be very tricky, and are often more challenging than auto accidents involving an insured negligent motorist. If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver, then you’ll want an experienced attorney on your side to fight for your rights. The attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas have experience dealing with uninsured motorist claims, and will work with you to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

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Motorcycle Accidents:

How much do you know about motorcycle road dangers?
Description: Motorcycle riders face a variety of hazards on the road every day: distracted drivers, aggressive truckers, dangerous weather conditions, and much more. One kind of road hazard can sneak up on an unsuspecting biker: unsafe road conditions like bridge joints, expansion joints, and uneven road surfaces. Bikers need to be alert for these dangerous road conditions in order to stay safe and avoid accidents, injuries, and even death.
Virginia Motorcycle Accident, Injury and Fatality Data
Description: The number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities in Virginia has been steadily rising over the years, culminating in an 80 percent increase in fatalities for calendar year 2007. This article presents statistical data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles on motorcycle accident injury, fatality, and registration numbers.
Do you know how to “share the road” with motorcycle riders?
Description: Spring is the start of motorcycle season, and in Virginia drivers see more and more bikers out on the roads and highways. Unfortunately many drivers don’t give motorcyclists the respect they need on the road, and as a result too many bikers are injured or killed every year. Every car and truck driver needs to keep a few simple facts about motorcycles in mind so they can safely share the road.
Are Gas Prices Affecting Motorcycle Safety?
Description: With gas prices on the rise, many motorists are looking for alternative means of transportation in order to get more bang for their commuting buck. Some riders have turned to the two-wheeled freedom and excellent gas mileage offered by scooters and motorcycles. However, the uptick in motorcycle registrations has experts wondering if all these new riders will contribute to ever worsening motorcycle accident and fatality statistics on Virginia’s roads.
Are Motorcycles Getting Deadlier?
Description: A dramatic increase in motorcycle ridership over the last decade coupled with Americans’ taste for speed and performance has caused manufacturers of so-called “sport bikes”, “supersports”, and “super bikes” to pile on the power. Another impact of the increase in ridership is that there are now more novice riders on the road than ever before, and predictably, the combination of green riders and powerful bikes is causing motorcycle accidents and fatalities to climb with each passing year.

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Insurance Claim Denials:

Common Reasons for Car Insurance Claim Denials
Description: There are common reasons why car insurance claims are denied, which are listed in this article. You do have the right to dispute a denied car insurance claim. If your auto accident claim has been denied, call Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP at 888-907-2631 for our Warrenton office or 800-741-1012 for our Culpeper office.
Help! My Insurance Claim was Denied!
Description: Involved in an accident and your claim denied by your insurance company? Wondering why you’ve been paying them for coverage all these years just so they can turn around and cheat you out of a few dollars? You’re not alone. There are many reasons why insurance claims are denied, but there are ways for Virginians to fight back and get the compensation they deserve from their insurance companies.
Are You Really in Good Hands with Allstate?
Description: If you’re an Allstate shareholder you might be happy to know that they are all about making money. On the other hand, Allstate policy holders – especially those who have tried to file a claim – are finding out the flip side of a company’s drive to bring home the cash.
Deny, Delay, Defend! Why You Can’t Trust Your Insurance Company
Description: Dealing with a large insurance company after a serious accident or injury can be one of life’s greatest miseries. If you’ve ever had your legitimate claim denied, or if you were nitpicked and harassed into accepting a ridiculously low settlement amount, then you know first hand how difficult it can be to be treated fairly in the insurance game. If you’ve ever wondered why insurers make it so difficult to get a fair settlement, then you’ll find out in this article.
Progressive Insurance: Patron of the Arts, but not you
Description: Progressive Insurance owns the world's most valuable collection of American Art. So why can't their customers get fair value for thier claims?

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Construction Accidents & Injuries:

Crane Accidents in Virginia
Description: There has been a significant increase in crane accidents over the years. Read this article to find out more information as to why the number of crane accidents has grown, as well as the legal rights of injured crane operators. If you have been injured in a crane accident in Virginia, contact Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP at 888-907-2631 for our Warrenton office or 800-741-1012 for our Culpeper office.
Construction Accident Reveals Danger to Workers
Description: The dangers for construction workers on Virginia’s roadways are numerous: speeding cars, inattentive drivers, intoxicated drivers, and of course dangers from the work itself. There could be problems with equipment like scaffolds, ladders, excavation and heavy equipment, and injuries like burns, explosions, poisoning and electrocution are not uncommon. A recent construction accident in Virginia highlights the dangers facing workers, who are often reluctant to report injuries or seek help.

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Virginia Workers Compensation:

Is your Virginia employer committing workers’ comp fraud?
Description: There are many forms of workers’ comp fraud in Virginia, but none more disturbing than some of the tricks played by employers to avoid paying fair insurance premiums or benefits to injured employees. Employers have been caught misclassifying workers, underreporting payroll, downplaying worker injuries, and colluding with doctors to downplay the severity of worker injuries.
Injured on the job? See YOUR OWN doctor
Description: If you’ve been injured on-the-job, it is important that you understand your rights so that you receive fair workers’ compensation. One trick that employers and their insurance companies use is to tell injured workers that they must visit the company doctor after a workplace accident. Don’t fall for this one! Make sure that you see a doctor of YOUR choosing, and talk to a workers’ comp attorney if you have any questions or concerns.
Why employers need to worry about workplace vehicle safety
Description: When a worker is injured in an on-the-job motor vehicle accident in Virginia, employers stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars in expenses for medical care, legal costs, property damage and lost productivity. Given the high stakes involved in workplace vehicle crashes, employers can – and should – do more to protect their workers’ safety.
Virginia workers can suffer from serious head injuries
Description: Head injuries are a serious danger facing many Virginia workers, especially those engaged in risky jobs like construction. There are several different types of head injuries that a worker can experience, and the symptoms can range from mild headaches to severe memory loss. Workers must also consider the long-term issues they might face after sustaining an injury to the head.
Did officials ignore hazardous working conditions at a Virginia University?
Description: A Virginia university is taking heat after investigation of its Fine Arts building suggests that officials did not take warnings about dangerous silica dust seriously. An art professor was diagnosed in 2005 with silicosis resulting from long-term inhalation of silica dust, and even since that diagnosis there is concern that school officials have not taken the situation seriously enough. A Workers’ Compensation commission investigation of the professor’s illness resulted in permanent disability benefits being awarded to the professor.

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Nursing Home & Assisted Living Abuse:

Why Virginia nursing home abuse and neglect cases often remain hidden
Description: Many experts believe that nursing home abuse and neglect cases are underreported, meaning that thousands of crimes against elders take place without justice being served. There are a number of reasons why elder abuse and neglect crimes fall through the cracks. Please be aware of these reasons to help protect the safety of the elders in your family.
Nursing Home Fraud Schemes
Description: Fraudsters and scammers who prey on the elderly are a serious problem, especially for nursing home residents. This article contains a list of common frauds and scams that are perpetrated on elderly residents and seniors. Discussing these scams with your family and being aware of the tricks used by scammers is one way to avoid becoming a victim.
How nursing home staff shortages can lead to abuse and neglect
Description: During tough economic times, nursing homes try to cut costs just like other businesses. One way for these facilities to save money is to reduce staff hours. However, staffing shortages can lead to inadequate care for nursing home residents, which can be a contributing factor to abuse and neglect.
The Danger of Nursing Home Falls in Virginia
Description: Nursing home falls claim the lives of about 1,800 people every year and injure thousands more. Some researchers even believe that 75 percent of nursing home residents fall every year, some more than once. There are a number of contributing factors to falls in nursing homes, and some facilities are guilty of neglect when a resident suffers a serious injury in a fall.
Has the federal government dropped the ball on nursing home regulation?
Description: To address the specter of nursing home abuse in the United States, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) developed a website to help families research nursing home quality, and they’ve also compiled a list of the worst performing homes for additional follow up. A recent GAO report, however, found four times as many nursing homes that could be considered the worst in the nation. Is CMS doing a good enough job to prevent nursing home abuse and neglect?

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Wrongful Death:

Who can be Awarded Damages for Wrongful Death in Virginia?
Description: Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas discuss in detail how damages are awarded in Virginia wrongful death cases. If you believe that your loved one’s death was the result of a negligent or wrongful act, call us today at 888-907-2631 for our Warrenton office or 800-741-1012 for our Culpeper office.

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General:

Who is Being "Frivolous" Here?
Description: While the ATRA is decrying "frivolous lawsuits," we noticed that they never seem to mention the thousands of pointless lawsuits filed by huge corporations every year.
2006 Was a Great Year for Medical Malpractice Insurers
Description: thanks to high premiums and low payouts, malpractice companies are making more money than ever.
Help Your Children Avoid Summertime Dangers
Description: Summertime brings a lot of free time for most of our children. It also brings a lot of dangerous activity. The Law Firm of DuLaney, Lauer and Thomas offer you some tips on how to keep your kids safe over the summer.
As Western Prince William Grows, We'll Be Ready
Description: As Prince William County continues to develop, new challenges will develop for those that are seeking legal help.

The attorneys at DuLaney Lauer and Thomas are offering agressive legal counsel for those that have been injured in car accidents or injured on the job. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our offices for a free legal consultation today.
"Judicial Hellhole:" The Latest Smear Campaign by the ATRA
Description: Every year, the American Tort Reform Association designates a new area a "judicial hellhole." The candidates for this award seem to be anyplace where the rights of people take precedence over the profits of big business.