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Construction Accidents & Injuries

Construction Accident Reveals Danger to Workers

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Abuse

Nursing Home Reform Act - Rights of Nursing Home Residents

Wrongful Death

Who can be Awarded Damages for Wrongful Death in Virginia?

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:

8 Things You Should do After a Car Accident
Description: A car accident is a frightening event and it can leave you guessing what actions need to be taken. Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP reveal eight important actions that you should take following a Virginia car accident. Call (800) 741-1012 for Culpeper or (888) 907-2631 for Warrenton.
Focus on Infants: Is Your Child Passenger Safe?
Description: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 7 out of 10 child safety seats are not installed correctly. This means that 70% of American’s children are at risk of being injured or killed in an auto accident if their seat does not protect them as expected. If you have an infant, find out what car seat safety guidelines you should be following and why rear-facing is best.
The Top 5 Causes of Traffic Accidents by Age Group
Description: Traffic accidents are a major issue for Virginia, especially considering that last year the number of crash related deaths topped the 1,000 mark – the highest number in a decade. One interesting way to break down the traffic accident statistics is to look at the top causes of crashes by age group – young, adult, and mature drivers.
Traffic Accident Reduction – do you C.A.R.E?
Description: C.A.R.E. is a state sponsored highway safety organization founded in 1977 with the goal of reducing accidents and fatalities on America’s highways. Find out more about this cooperative organization, what their traffic accident statistics look like, and when a C.A.R.E. sponsored patrol will be on highways in your area this year.
Top 5 Federal Transportation Safety Issues
Description: The NTSB maintains a list of “most wanted” highway transportation safety improvements, all of which are either progressing slowly or not at all. Find out what highway safety issues are important to our government, what their recommendations are for addressing these issues, and which agencies have been tasked with making our roads and highways safer.
Are Transportation Cuts Affecting Your Safety?
Description: Virginia’s transportation budget is expected to be down 60% this year, resulting in $600 million less for much needed road improvement and safety projects. Many expected improvements won’t be done for another 2 to 6 years – if they are done at all. Find out what projects are on-hold, which ones have been cut, and why this is happening right now.
Virginia State Police Say: Buckle Up!
Description: A Virginia couple receives a certificate and thanks from the Virginia State Police for surviving a serious auto accident because they were wearing their seatbelts. The ceremony was part of Virginia’s annual “Click It or Ticket” program, which attempts to educate drivers about the importance of seatbelt use.
Top 5 Best and Worst States for Texting While Driving
Description: Did you know that nationwide 28% of motorists – and over 50% of teen drivers – have admitted to sending text messages while driving? A recently released study examines the text messaging habits of American drivers, with some surprising – and disturbing – findings.
Hot Tips for Navigating Your Auto Accident Case
Description: After a car or truck accident it can be hard to keep track of everything that has to be done to recover and move forward, especially if the accident involved severe injuries. The insurance company you have to deal with for the negligent driver may try to pressure you into accepting a quick settlement or into making statements that could later damage your case. With so much at stake, it is important to keep a few simple rules in mind when dealing with an auto accident case.
How Safe is Your Automobile?
Description: The federal government recently stepped up their investigation into problems with Jeep Liberty upper ball joint problems. Jeep’s woes highlight the importance of carefully researching the vehicle you are about to buy. Since your safety and the safety of your family and friends depends on the quality of the automobile you chose to invest in, it is in your best interest to get all the information possible before selecting a new or used car.
Are Manufacturers Taking the Threat of Rollovers Seriously Enough?
Description: One of the challenges for automobile makers is to ensure that a vehicle’s roof is strong enough to protect its occupants in a rollover accident. However, some manufacturers have claimed that roof strength has little to no bearing on occupant safety. This is an assertion challenged by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in a new report focusing on SUV rollover risks.
Navigating the Auto Repair Maze after an Accident
Description: Being involved in an automobile accident is bad enough, but dealing with insurance companies and trying to get your car or truck repaired to your satisfaction can truly drive you to distraction. You may be asked to use a repair shop you are not familiar with, you might find that your car will be repaired with aftermarket parts, and you may be dismayed to find that your vehicle has lost value after being involved in an accident. Check out our repair tips for ways to handle these situations and come out ahead.
Who’s Looking out for Vehicle Safety?
Description: Consumers rely on manufacturers to deliver quality products free from defects, and they also rely on the government to provide oversight of all auto manufacturers to ensure that they not only deliver safe products, but notify the public in a timely manner if something goes wrong. However, years like 2007 which saw a 30% increase in auto recalls can cause consumers to wonder if the system is really working.
Virginia’s General Assembly Tackles Distracted Drivers – and More
Description: Several bills aimed at combating distracted driving are before the 2008 Virginia General Assembly. Proposed laws restricting driving while texting (DWT), cell-phone use by teens, and driving with pets will all be reviewed by lawmakers this session. Distracted driving is a significant cause of accidents in the United States, and other states and countries already have bans on driving while texting or while using a cell-phone. The attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas care about your safety and want Virginia’s roads to be free from distracted drivers. If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident and are wondering what a skilled law firm can do for you, please contact us today.
Are our Teen Drivers Out of Control?
Description: November 2007 was a deadly month on the road for DC Metro area teenagers. Tragically, 12 area teens were killed in automobile accidents during this month. Sadly, many deaths could have been prevented – common contributing factors include excessive speed, driver error, and lack of seatbelt use. Here we offer a summary of the November accidents, and some thoughts on what can be done to reduce the number of teen deaths on our area roads. The attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer, and Thomas, LLP are concerned about your teenage driver and want them to be safe. If you need to speak with an attorney about an automobile accident, please contact us immediately to discuss your case.
The Secrets in Your Car’s Little Black Box
Description: Have you heard about the “little black boxes” that can be found in many of today’s automobiles? They’re really called “event data recorders”, or EDRs, and can be found in about two-thirds of vehicles being manufactured today. The auto accident attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer, & Thomas, LLP provide an outline of the history and function of EDRs, as well as an update about the future for and controversy about these devices.
Tips for Staying Safe this Holiday Season
Description: The attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer, & Thomas, LLP provide tips for keeping you and your family safe on the roads this holiday season. Tips for planning for holiday travel are provided, including things to keep in mind while on the road this season. Throwing a party? Advice for keeping you and your guests safe are also offered, and a summary of some of Virginia’s safety campaigns for this season are outlined.
No Safe American Cars in 2007?
Description: If you look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's list of the safest cars of 2007, you might notice that none of them are American made.

Frequent Questions for Car Accidents & Injuries:

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Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP
98 Alexandria Pike
Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186

Phone: 888-907-2631

DULANEY, LAUER &
THOMAS, LLP

Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike
Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Get Directions

Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
Get Directions