Car Accident Attorneys
Last updated on May 29, 2025
If you have been injured in a car accident, consulting with an experienced legal team is critical. The insurance company of the driver who was at fault will begin working immediately to protect their “insured.” You need an advocate to protect your interests! The quality of representation you have will have a direct impact on if, and how much, you are compensated later.
At Weiner, Spivey & Miller, we have recovered millions for our clients. Our Fairfax car accident lawyers have over 190 combined years of experience in advocating for those injured by someone else’s negligence. Our results in negotiating and trying personal injury cases has earned our clients substantial settlements and jury awards, and has earned us the respect of our legal colleagues. Reach out to us today to request your free consultation.
Table of Contents
- Hiring a car accident attorney
- Can you file a claim after an insurance company pays?
- How to start a claim after a car accident
- Frequently asked questions
- Examples of our car accident case results
- Liability laws in car accidents
- Types of car accidents
- How can we help?
Should You Hire An Attorney After A Car Accident?
It’s important to speak to an attorney if you’ve been injured in a car accident. Not only can an attorney walk you step by step through the often-complicated legal system, but, unlike insurance companies, our legal team are true advocates on your side. Insurance companies are first and foremost businesses looking out for their own best interest.
Additionally, many people find that the injuries they sustained turn out to be more severe in the days or weeks following an accident. While this is a normal occurrence for soft tissue injuries, the injuries most commonly incurred in a car accident, if you accept an offer from an insurance company before you know the full extent of your injuries you may find your settlement no longer covers all your expenses. An experienced attorney from our firm can fight to protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve so you can cover all your medical costs.
Can You File A Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?
Since most insurance settlements state specifically that the amount of compensation agreed upon will be the only money paid, once you agree to a settlement amount it’s usually difficult to recover anything further. If you have already signed an agreement, you may still have options.
Liability Laws After A Car Accident
After a car accident Virginia follows a “at-fault” rule to determine liability. This means that the driver who is responsible for causing an accident is the one responsible paying damages, usually through an insurance carrier.
Unfortunately, due to Virginia’s “contributory negligence” rule individuals who are found at fault for causing the accident that led to their injuries in any way are not eligible to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Types Car Accidents In Virginia-MD-DC
Driving and riding in cars is a part of daily life. Unfortunately, driving can be dangerous. According to the Department of Transportation, there are an average of 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. Those accidents result in 3 million people suffering some injury and 2 million suffering more serious or permanent injuries. Beyond those injured, more than 90 people die in car accidents every day.
Few things are as physically and emotionally traumatic as a car accident. Understanding the different types of collisions can help you submit a compelling claim for injury compensation. Here is what you need to know:
- Rear-end collisions: These accidents are often caused by distracted driving, tailgating or sudden stops. Injuries can range from whiplash to more severe spine and spinal cord injuries. If you are involved in a rear-end collision, it is crucial to seek medical attention and document the scene to support your claim.
- Head-on collisions: Catastrophic injuries or fatalities often occur when two fast-moving cars collide head-on. Common causes include driver fatigue, distracted driving or impaired driving. Immediate medical care and thorough documentation are essential for an auto accident claim.
- T-bone accidents: These collisions happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. They often occur at intersections, typically resulting in severe injuries due to the limited protection on the side of vehicles. Evidence from the scene, like witness statements and photos, can strengthen your claim.
- Multivehicle pile-ups: Accidents involving three or more vehicles are inherently complex due to the multiple parties that may be involved and the potential for severe injuries. Working closely with a car accident lawyer can help in pinpointing fault and obtaining just injury compensation.
- Road construction-related accidents: Roadway work zone crashes are caused by various factors, including poor signage, uneven road surfaces and distracted drivers, posing significant injury risks. Be sure to document the scene, gather witness statements and report the accident to ensure proper handling and compensation.
- Rollover incidents: Rollover accidents happen when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. These are often caused by another driver’s negligence and defective auto parts. They can lead to severe injuries, making it critical to investigate the cause of the rollover to determine liability.
No matter what type of car accident injured you, we can help by thoroughly investigating the crash, determining liability, and negotiating with insurers. We are also prepared to represent your interests in court if necessary.
How To Start a Claim After A Car Accident
You must contact an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. Often, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will reach out to you with a settlement offer. Generally, this offer is far less than you deserve. At Weiner, Spivey & Miller, our car accident attorneys negotiate with insurers every day to ensure that our clients get the value they deserve.
Another reason you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible is that personal injury claims are time-sensitive. In Virginia, a claimant typically has two years from the date of the injury to file a claim, but delaying for even a small amount of time can allow important evidence to disappear.
Gathering evidence for a car accident claim can feel overwhelming. We’re here to free you from that burden. We can obtain:
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Details of your financial losses
It’s also important to note that you may be entitled to compensation after a single-vehicle accident. If your crash resulted from vehicle defects or unsafe road conditions, you may be able to hold the responsible parties to account.
We know what evidence is required for a successful car accident claim, and we will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of fair compensation.
We Fight For Victims Of Car Accidents
Intelligence officer suffers permanent injuries in collision: Don’s work in the intelligence community required that he be in top physical shape. At 30 years old, he regularly took a 3-5 mile run before work, biked 5 miles to work, took an intense bike ride with colleagues over lunch, and biked 5 miles home. When a Mercedes SUV, driven by a 17-year-old, T-boned Don’s smaller SUV at an intersection, Don suffered a broken back. He tried extensive physical therapy to avoid surgery, but the pain was too great. When surgeons attempted to fuse his fifth and sixth vertebrae, the surgery was unsuccessful. Medical experts testified that Don was left with an 18% disability and would likely experience pain from his injuries for the rest of his life. Don was no longer able to do field work and was transferred to a “desk job.” At trial, two eyewitnesses questioned by Ed Weiner provided accounts of how the 17-year-old was speeding and not paying attention to his surroundings. The defendant’s insurance company offered $450,000 prior to the trial. The jury awarded Don $2,040,000.
Swimming champ suffers multiple orthopedic injuries in head-on crash: When he was 56 years old, Peter was ranked third in the U.S. and fifth in the world in his age group for 50-meter butterfly. He had set a record in backstroke in competition only three days before his car was struck head-on in a collision. Peter’s left leg was badly broken both above and below his knee. Treatment included multiple surgeries to repair his femur (thighbone), as well as placement of a rod and screws to support his shattered ankle. Peter spent months on crutches, in rehabilitation, and in physical therapy. He was unable to swim for more than a year after the accident, but set a goal to return to competition. Ed Weiner and Gene Miller negotiated a settlement of $1.4 million for Peter.
Repairing the shattered dreams of a young mother: Vanessa and Michael were the proud parents of a 6-year-old boy and his 9-month-old brother, who was about ready to walk. Vanessa had returned to work when the baby, Tyler, was 7 months old. One Sunday in May, Vanessa went to the local mall to buy new curtains for the boys’ rooms. As she crossed through a major intersection, a car on the cross street ran the red light and struck Vanessa’s front, passenger-side door – pushing her car into oncoming traffic, where her car was struck again by a truck. Vanessa’s right leg was broken, including her tibia (shinbone), which is commonly recognized as one of the strongest weight-bearing bones of the body. Vanessa had several surgeries, including the insertion of a metal rod into her tibia, as well as metal plates to stabilize her leg. She was unable to walk for several months and missed four weeks of work. Vanessa was devastated not to be able to pick up her baby or actively play with her children. Vanessa informed Ed Weiner and Lawson Spivey that she did not want to go to trial. They negotiated a settlement of $734,000 on Vanessa’s behalf.
Click here to see our results on behalf of other clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Car Accidents
At Weiner, Spivey & Miller, PLC, we hold negligent drivers to account for their actions. Our clients often have a lot of concerns after a wreck. Here, we answer some common questions our attorneys hear. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Is Virginia a no-fault state for auto accidents?
No. Virginia is an “at-fault” state. This means that a negligent driver who crashed into you is liable for any injuries you suffer. You can pursue compensation by making a claim against their insurance company or by filing a lawsuit against the responsible party.
What are the laws in Maryland about auto accidents?
The state of Maryland follows the legal doctrine of contributory negligence. Not only must claimants show that another driver was at fault, but that level of fault must be 100%. Even a 1% contribution to the accident excludes victims from recovering damages.
Should I talk to insurance adjusters?
It is never advisable to talk to insurance adjusters on your own, even if they reach out to you. Remember, they prioritize their company’s interests and will ultimately be looking to save money. At Weiner, Spivey & Miller, we will negotiate with insurance adjusters for you to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
What types of car accidents do you handle?
Our experienced lawyers have obtained compensation for victims of rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, multi-vehicle accidents and much more.
What are the most common injuries resulting from car accidents?
The severity of car accident injuries can vary. However, if your injuries have impacted your quality of life in any way, you could be entitled to compensation. Some of the most common injuries resulting from car accidents that we see at Weiner, Spivey & Miller include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), back and neck injuries, bone fractures, spinal injuries, internal injuries and whiplash.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Car accidents can occur in several ways, but negligent driving is a common factor. Some of the leading causes of car accidents in the U.S. include distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, intoxication, drowsy driving and tailgating.
You Aren’t Alone. We Can Help.
You don’t need to suffer alone after your car accident. Our compassionate and experienced car accident attorneys at Weiner, Spivey & Miller, PLC are here to help you. Contact us today by calling 703-273-9500 or filling out an online contact form. We offer free initial consultations.