The Thomson Law Firm

My mTBI Wasn’t Diagnosed Right After My Car Accident. Can I Still Make A Claim? After a car accident, one of the first concerns many people have is whether they suffered a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. It’s common for an emergency room physician to order a CT scan, and when the results come back normal, many patients assume they are in the clear. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. At The Thomson Law Firm, we’ve represented many people whose lives were disrupted by symptoms that persisted long after they left the emergency room. Understanding what a CT scan can—and cannot—show is an important part of protecting both your health and your legal claim. What Does a CT Scan Look For? A CT (computed tomography) scan is an excellent tool for identifying serious, life-threatening injuries. It can quickly detect: Skull fractures Bleeding in or around the brain Significant swelling Large structural injuries These conditions require immediat...

At The Thomson Law Firm, we sometimes hear a potential client say something like this during the very first phone call: “I’m just not the type of person to sue anyone.” If that sounds like something you might say, you are not alone. In fact, many of the most sincere, responsible, and credible people we speak with in Roanoke and throughout Southwest Virginia say exactly that. They are not looking for a windfall. They are not trying to “get rich.” They are not angry people. Usually, they are hardworking people who never expected to need a lawyer—until someone else’s carelessness changed their life. So why do so many good people feel guilty about making a Virginia personal injury claim ? Have Insurance Companies Trained the Public to Feel Guilty About Injury Claims? In our opinion, the answer is often yes . For decades, the public has heard the same phrases over and over: “frivolous lawsuits” “sue-happy people” “jackpot justice” “people will sue over anything” That narrativ...

Every so often, we get what I call a “last resort” phone call at The Thomson Law Firm . It usually comes from a worried friend or family member of someone who was seriously hurt in a pedestrian hit-and-run accident . The injured person has often already lost hope. They assume that because the driver fled the scene and was never found, there is no way to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or future treatment. But in many cases, that is not true . If you were struck as a pedestrian by a hit-and-run driver in Virginia , there may still be a path to compensation—even if the at-fault driver is never identified. Can You Recover Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident? Many injured pedestrians believe they are simply out of luck if police never locate the driver. Fortunately, Virginia law and insurance policies often provide another option: uninsured motorist (UM) coverage . If the injured pedestrian had their own automobile insurance p...

What to Do After a Roanoke Car Accident: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide If you have been injured in a crash, the first few hours after a Roanoke car accident can make a major difference in both your recovery and your legal claim. Many people are understandably shaken up after an accident. They may not know what to do first, what evidence to save, or what they should avoid saying when the insurance company calls. This guide offers a simple step-by-step plan for what to do after a Roanoke car accident—including what evidence to preserve and what to avoid saying to insurance. Whether the crash happened on I-81, I-581, Route 220, Williamson Road, Colonial Avenue, Franklin Road, or elsewhere in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia , these steps can help protect your health, your rights, and your case. Step 1: Make Safety Your First Priority Immediately after a crash: Check yourself and your passengers for injuries Move to a safe location if possible Turn on your hazard lights Call 911 ...

Interstate 81 is one of the most dangerous highways in Southwest Virginia — and for drivers traveling through Botetourt County, Roanoke County, and Montgomery County , that danger is all too real. Serious crashes, including multi-vehicle and tractor-trailer accidents, happen here far too often. Understanding why these crashes occur — and where they are most common — can help drivers stay safer and help accident victims know when to seek legal help. A Major Trucking Corridor Never Designed for Today’s Traffic Interstate 81 is one of the busiest freight routes on the East Coast. It carries an exceptionally high percentage of commercial truck traffic , much of it passing straight through Southwest Virginia. The problem? Much of I-81 was built decades ago for far less traffic and fewer heavy trucks . Today, passenger vehicles and 18-wheelers are forced to share limited space at highway speeds, increasing the likelihood of: Rear-end collisions Unsafe lane changes Chain-reaction cr...

A recent I-81 trucking accident in Roanoke County, Virginia underscores how devastating highway crashes involving commercial trucks can be. In this tragic incident, a disabled vehicle was stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 81 when a tractor-trailer crashed into it . Three people were killed. All of the victims were from out of state , traveling through Virginia when their lives were cut short. For the surviving family member, grief is often compounded by confusion — especially when the crash happened far from home. If you are navigating the aftermath of a wrongful death caused by a truck accident on I-81 , the information below is meant to help guide you through what comes next. Take Care of Yourself First The sudden loss of a loved one in a fatal trucking accident is traumatic. There is no timeline for grief and no requirement to “handle everything” immediately. Surround yourself with family support and allow time to process what has happened. Ask friends and family for help ...