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Not the Type of Person to Sue? You May Still Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim in Virginia

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...
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Struck as a Pedestrian by a Hit-and-Run Driver in Virginia? You May Still Have Options

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...
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What to Do After a Roanoke Car Accident | Evidence & Insurance Tips

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 ...
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Why Are There So Many Crashes on I-81 in Botetourt, Roanoke, and Montgomery Counties?

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...
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What to Do After a Fatal I-81 Trucking Accident Involving a Loved One

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 ...
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What to Do if You’ve Been the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident in Virginia

Your Safety. Your Rights. Your Recovery. Pedestrian accidents are among the most severe and life-altering crashes on Virginia roads. Whether you were struck in a crosswalk, a parking lot, a neighborhood street, or a busy Roanoke or Blacksburg intersection, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. The steps you take immediately after a pedestrian accident can greatly impact your physical recovery and the strength of your injury claim. At The Thomson Law Firm , we represent injured pedestrians across Roanoke, Blacksburg and all of Virginia. This guide outlines exactly what to do after a pedestrian accident and how to protect your legal rights. Get to Safety and Call 911 Your health and safety always come first. If possible, move out of the roadway and call 911. A police report is essential for documenting what happened, identifying the at-fault driver, and creating an official record for your case. Even if your injuries seem mild, get medical attention immediately. Many pedestrian inj...
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Do I Need Video Evidence in Order to Win My Personal Injury Case?

Pursuing Your Case Without Video Evidence When you’re injured in a car accident, slip-and-fall, or any other kind of preventable incident, one of the first questions you may ask is: “Do I need video evidence to win my case?” With the rise of cell phones, doorbell cameras, and dashcams, many people assume that without video, they don’t stand a chance. The good news is this: you do NOT need video evidence to win a personal injury case in Virginia. While video can be helpful, most successful cases are built on a variety of other forms of proof. At The Thomson Law Firm, we handle injury claims every single day, and very few of them involve video footage—and we still win them. Below, I’ll walk you through why video is not required, what evidence is necessary, and how we build strong cases even without any recordings. Video Evidence Is Helpful—But Rarely Available There’s no question that video can be powerful. A clear recording may show who caused the crash, how a fall occurred, or...
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