Posted on April 20, 2026 in Personal Injury

You pay for car insurance every month. You assume it protects you if someone else hits you. Then you find out the other driver has no insurance, and suddenly your own policy is the only thing standing between you and financial disaster.

This is what uninsured motorist coverage is for. But most people do not understand how it works until they need it. And by then, it is too late to add it if you do not already have it.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage, called UM coverage, pays for your injuries when you are hit by a driver who has no insurance. It is part of your own auto insurance policy, not the other driver's.

If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you file a claim with your own insurance company under your UM coverage. Your insurer steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver and pays your damages up to your UM policy limits.

UM coverage is optional in Virginia. You do not have to buy it. But if you do not have it and you get hit by an uninsured driver, you have very few options for recovering compensation.

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 Posted on April 13, 2026 in Personal Injury

The insurance adjuster just informed you that you were partly at fault for the accident. They may have claimed you were following too closely, changed lanes without signaling, or were speeding.

Now they are saying your claim is denied.

This happens all the time in Virginia car accident cases. The other driver clearly caused the crash, but the insurance company finds one small thing you did wrong and uses it to deny your entire claim.

In most states, being partly at fault just reduces what you recover. If you were 20% responsible, you get 80% of your damages. That is how comparative negligence works.

Virginia does not work that way.

How Do Insurance Companies Use Contributory Negligence Against You?

Insurance companies in Virginia understand this rule and use it aggressively. If the accident details are unclear, an adjuster will look for any reason to assign you partial fault: you were distracted, not paying full attention, could have reacted faster, or were slightly over the speed limit. These arguments don't need to be strong, just enough to create doubt and trigger contributory negligence, which can lead to a denial. In Virginia, even a small amount of fault is enough.

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 Posted on April 09, 2026 in Personal Injury

You were in a car accident. Maybe it was six months ago. Maybe a year. You assumed the insurance company would handle it, or you thought your injuries would get better on their own, or you did not know what to do next. Now you are wondering if you waited too long.

In Virginia, the clock starts the day of the accident. And once it runs out, your claim is over. No exceptions. No second chances.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim in Virginia?

Virginia sets the statute of limitations for personal injury claims at two years from the date of the injury. In a car accident case, the date of injury is the date of the crash.

This is not two years to settle your claim. It takes two years to file a lawsuit in court if the insurance company will not settle.

Once two years pass from the date of the accident, you lose the legal right to file a claim. It does not matter how badly you were injured. It does not matter if the other driver was clearly at fault. If you miss the deadline, your case is dismissed.

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 Posted on April 07, 2026 in Personal Injury

You did everything right. You got the police report. You documented the damage. You went to the doctor. Then you find out the other driver has no insurance.

Now what?

This is one of the most frustrating situations in a Virginia car accident case. The other driver caused the crash. They are at fault. But they have no insurance to pay for your injuries or property damage. You are left dealing with medical bills, a damaged car, and no clear path to compensation.

The good news is that you may still have options. The bad news is that those options depend on your own insurance policy, and most people do not realize what coverage they have until it is too late.

Is Car Insurance Required in Virginia?

Yes, but not in the way most people think.

Virginia law requires drivers to carry liability insurance or pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee to the DMV. If a driver pays the $500 annual fee, they are legally allowed to drive without insurance. This does not protect anyone. It just means they are not breaking the law by driving uninsured.

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 Posted on March 24, 2026 in Personal Injury

Motorcycle accidents in Virginia can happen in an instant. A routine ride can quickly turn into a life-changing event. Riders are far more vulnerable than drivers of passenger vehicles, and even minor collisions can result in serious injuries, long-term medical costs, and financial hardship. Understanding the causes of motorcycle accidents and how fault is determined under Virginia law is essential for protecting your rights. Insurance companies often try to minimize claims, but you do not have to face them alone. Tara at Valor Injury Law can investigate the accident, determine liability, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Virginia

Motorcyclists face unique risks on Virginia roads. The most frequent causes of crashes include driver negligence, impaired driving, speeding, road hazards, motorcycle operator error, and mechanical failures.

Driver Negligence and Inattention

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 Posted on March 21, 2026 in Personal Injury

If a drunk driver hits you in Virginia, they face different legal consequences than someone in a regular car accident. Drunk driving is not a simple mistake. It is a choice to put other people at risk, and Virginia law treats it that way.

Most car accident claims pay for medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, and pain and suffering. These payments are meant to cover what you lost because of the crash.

But drunk driving cases can be different. Virginia law allows you to ask for punitive damages. These are not just about covering your bills. They are about punishing the driver for choosing to drive drunk and warning others not to do the same thing.

The question is not just what your claim is worth. It is how much you can hold a drunk driver accountable for under Virginia law.

What Are Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are extra money awarded to punish someone who did something really reckless. Under Virginia law, you can get punitive damages when someone acted with complete disregard for other people's safety.

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 Posted on March 19, 2026 in Personal Injury

St. Patrick's Day is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year and one of the most dangerous nights to be on Virginia's roads. Whether you were walking to your car, crossing the street, riding your bike, or driving home, being struck by a drunk driver can turn a festive evening into a life-altering moment. If that happened to you, here is exactly what you need to know.

Call 911 Immediately

The first thing you should do is call 911. Do not let the other driver talk you out of it, no matter what they say. A police report is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in your case. When officers arrive, they will conduct a sobriety investigation, administer field sobriety tests, and potentially arrest the at-fault driver. That arrest record becomes powerful evidence when you pursue compensation. Make sure you request a copy of the police report as soon as it becomes available.

Get Medical Attention, Even If You Feel Fine

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 Posted on March 06, 2026 in Personal Injury

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Virginia, you are likely dealing with more than just a damaged bike.

You may be facing hospital bills, missed work, ongoing pain, and an insurance company that is already looking for ways to reduce what they owe you.

One of the first and most important questions riders ask is:

What compensation am I actually entitled to recover?

The answer depends on the facts of your crash, the severity of your injuries, and how Virginia law applies to your case.

Virginia Law Controls What You Can Recover

Motorcycle accident claims in Virginia are governed by personal injury law and the state's strict contributory negligence rule.

Virginia is one of the few states that follows pure contributory negligence. If you are found even one percent at fault for the crash, you can be barred from recovering compensation.

This is critical in motorcycle cases because riders are often unfairly blamed. Drivers frequently claim:

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 Posted on March 02, 2026 in Personal Injury

You were walking or riding your bike, doing everything you normally do. And then a car hit you.

Now you're home, or maybe still in pain, replaying it in your head. The driver said they "didn't see you." The police came. Insurance has already called. You're not sure how bad your injuries are yet. And you're wondering:

Do I actually need a personal injury attorney for this?

In Virginia, that question matters more than most people realize.

If You Were Hit in Virginia, Fault Is Everything

Virginia follows a strict legal rule called contributory negligence. It means that if you are found even one percent at fault for the accident, you can be completely barred from recovering compensation.

Not reduced or even partially limited. Barred.

That is why pedestrian and bicycle cases in Virginia are different from what you may see on television or read about in other states.

If you were:

• Crossing outside a marked crosswalk

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 Posted on February 21, 2026 in Personal Injury

Yes. And it happens more often than most people expect.

Minor car accidents, often called fender benders, are typically thought of as low-risk events. Many people assume that because the vehicles show little visible damage, any injuries will also be minor, or that no injuries will occur at all. While it may feel like "no harm, no foul," Virginia law and medical reality say otherwise. Even low-speed collisions can result in significant injuries and legal consequences.

If you've been involved in a fender bender in Virginia, it is crucial to understand your rights and the steps you should take to protect both your health and your claim.

Why Do Minor Crashes Produce Serious Injuries?

The physics of a low-speed rear-end collision work against the human body in a specific way. Modern vehicle bumpers are engineered to absorb and deflect impact energy. They do that job well. What they cannot do is prevent that force from transferring through the vehicle frame to the occupant inside.

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