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Car Accidents & Injuries

The Auto Accident Case: Never Ordinary, Always Challenging

Auto accidents are proof positive that lives can be changed in an instant. Our clients are usually faced with mounting medical bills, lost time from work, and serious, life altering injuries. Given the stakes involved, there is no "ordinary" accident case. Each is unique and presents a distinct challenge.

We handle auto accident, injury, and wrongful death cases only. From our offices in Warrenton and Culpeper, we take on cases throughout Virginia. Our clients have been seriously injured by other's wrongful conduct, usually in the following cases:

auto collisions
truck collisions
wrecks caused by drunk drivers
wrecks caused by uninsured drivers
workplace injuries

Recovering from a serious injury is hard enough. The legal process wihich follows may be even more daunting. Unfortunately, many injured people experience firsthand:

The Insurance Company Line: "Delay, Deny, Defend"

We only represent people against large, well-funded insurance companies. They typically don't want to pay. It's that simple. Before speaking with us, most of our clients have tried to deal with the opposing insurance company without success. In too many cases, the insurer has denied, delayed, or just been plain difficult. As one of our clients put it, dealing with the insurance company was like "adding insult to injury."

What We Do: Our Focused Approach

Therefore, we're focused and direct in our case handling process. We immediately take over all communication with the insurer. We investigate the accident, review, supervise and accelerate the claims process with the the insurance company, and determine if our client has a valid case. Once we have determined that a case is valid, we set about to prove the recoverable elements of damages, to include medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for injury, pain, and inconvenience.

We also make every reasonable effort to settle a case out of court because most clients prefer that. However, if the insurance company refuses to be fair, we will not hesitate to protect our clients' interests in Virginia's court system.

After An Accident, Talking to an Attorney Always Makes Sense

If you’ve been in an accident, suffered an injury, and have already talked to the insurance company, their adjusters have probably advised you that there is no need for you to retain a lawyer. Don’t take their word for it. Speaking with an attorney after any life altering event is always a good idea, but when you are dealing with a well funded and adverse insurance company, it is essential.

Talk to us. We'll know if they're treating you fairly or not. If we can help, we'll fully explain your case and our services. If we don't believe that we can help, we'll tell you: quickly and honestly.

It's the only way we know.

Library for Car Accidents & Injuries:

Can smart cars prevent crashes caused by medical emergency?
Description: The stuff of science fiction and engineering daydreams is becoming a reality for some car manufacturers. Cars designed to protect occupants when the driver experiences a serious medical event are being developed and tested in Germany. While ‘vigilant vehicles’ are a long way from hitting Virginia roads, designers hope that the technology embedded in these vehicles can prevent serious car crashes or at least reduce their severity.
Broken Bones in a Virginia Car Crash
Description: There are many ways that car accident victims can be injured in a crash. Some injuries are more serious than others. Broken bones are commonly seen in more serious car and truck collisions, and the severity of a fracture can vary from minor to life threatening. The treatment for a fracture and long-term prognosis varies depending on the type and location of the break.
Spinal Cord Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Description: A spinal cord injury can be devastating for the victim of a car or truck accident. Depending on the severity of the damage, injury to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, breathing difficulty, loss of sensation, and more. If you’ve been injured in a serious motor vehicle accident and suspect that you have sustained damage to your spinal cord, contact the Northern Virginia attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer, and Thomas.
Distracted drivers are major cause of Virginia auto accidents
Description: Distracted driving behaviors are receiving increased attention from lawmakers and law enforcement officials in Virginia. Considering that distracted drivers are involved in up to 80% of all traffic accidents, it is no surprise that authorities are concerned about what people are doing behind the wheel. You might be surprised how common distracted driving is in the United States. There are steps every driver can take to focus more on the road and less on distracting activities.
Virginians urged to stay alert and safe in road work zones
Description: Many drivers find road and highway work zones to be a nuisance, but they rarely think of them as a danger zone for themselves and their passengers. What many don’t realize is that 85% those killed in work zone accidents are drivers and their passengers. In order to educate drivers about the importance of safe driving in and around roadway work zones, a number of state and federal organizations have come together for the last 10 years to promote the National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW).
The Danger of Aggressive Drivers on Virginia Roads
Description: Most Virginia motorists have seen an aggressive driver on the road. They are the ones who weave in and out of traffic, don’t seem to know what a turn signal is for, drive at excessive rates of speed, use inappropriate hand gestures, and cause serious accidents. The danger from these self-centered drivers is very real, and there are ways that you can spot and avoid them. If you’ve been involved in a serious Warrenton, Culpeper, Fauquier, or Fairfax auto accident and need legal help, please contact Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas at 888-907-2631 (Warrenton) or 800-741-1012 (Culpeper).
Four Ways to Keep your Virginia Auto Insurance Rates Down
Description: During tough economic times, Virginians are looking for ways to save a few dollars. One way to do this is to take a look at your auto insurance premium. We outline four easy ways to save yourself some money – ways that do not involve downgrading to a cheaper and possibly less service oriented insurance company. You want to make sure you are properly protected in case you get into a car or truck accident, but you shouldn’t have to pay through the nose.
New Report Shows Car Seats Save Lives in Auto Accidents
Description: A new study from the Traffic Safety Center at UC Berkley confirms that strapping babies and toddlers into age-appropriate child restraints significantly reduces the risk of injury and fatality in a serious auto accident. With the fatality risk reduced by up to 76% for correctly restrained small children, parents are urged to use the right car seat for their kids. Parents in Virginia are already required by law to restrain their children in vehicles, and the hope is that this study will further encourage correct use of age appropriate restraints and further reduce car accident fatalities.
Is Your Town Risking Your Safety to Make a Quick Buck?
Description: Red light running is such a problem in some Virginia cities that officials have installed red light cameras. However, disturbing reports are emerging from across the country about cities that are making money off of their red lights by shortening the length of the yellow light. This causes more motorists to run the light and risk a ticket, but at the same time it increases the chance of an accident at the intersection.
Virginians Driving Under the Influence…Of Prescription Drugs
Description: Everybody knows that drunk driving is a problem in Virginia, but few people know how big a problem drugged drivers are today. By some estimates, there are as many drugged drivers as drunk drivers on the road with the potential to cause dangerous or fatal car accidents. However, drugged driving does not get the same amount of attention as drunk driving and not many law enforcement officers are trained to recognize drugged drivers.