Personal Injury Law Firm in Manassas VA
Every year, there are countless unintentional injuries reported in the state of Virginia. While some of these injuries truly are pure accidents that no one could foresee or prevent, others would never happen but for the negligence of an irresponsible party. When negligence is the cause of an injury suffered by you or a loved one, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to represent you and make sure your rights are protected. We know how to investigate personal injury cases, build claims, and provide our clients with the superior service and personalized attention they deserve. Do not delay in taking action – request your consultation by contacting us today.
Call a Manassas Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness in Virginia, you are not alone—and you don’t have to face the aftermath without support. Navigating the complexities of a personal injury claim can be overwhelming, especially while you are trying to recover from physical and emotional trauma.
At our Virginia-based law firm, we are deeply committed to helping injury victims understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve so they can focus on what matters most: healing and rebuilding their lives. For those specifically in Prince William County, finding a Manassas personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
We have dedicated our practice to representing clients across the state of Virginia who have been injured in a wide range of accidents and incidents. Every case is unique, presenting different circumstances, levels of severity, and underlying causes. However, one critical element remains constant—the fundamental legal standards that define whether an injured party has a valid claim for compensation.
These standards typically require proving that the other party owed you a duty of care, that this duty was breached through their negligent or reckless actions (or inactions), and that this breach directly caused your injuries and resulting losses. Understanding these principles is key to building a strong case, and a Manassas personal injury lawyer possesses the legal knowledge to gather the necessary evidence and construct a compelling argument on your behalf.
Because this foundational framework applies to nearly all types of personal injury claims, our experienced attorneys are well-equipped to represent clients regardless of how the injury occurred. We take pride in our client-first approach, ensuring you feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the legal process.
Our meticulous legal preparation involves thorough investigation, evidence gathering, and strategic planning. This diligent work, combined with our track record of successful outcomes, gives our clients confidence in our ability to advocate effectively for their interests. Whether your injury occurred in a traffic accident on I-66 or a slip and fall in a local business, consulting with a Manassas personal injury lawyer early on is crucial.
Here are the primary types of accident and injury claims we handle, areas where our experience as Virginia personal injury attorneys become essential for strong and aggressive legal representation for our clients:
Manassas, VA Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common causes of personal injuries in Virginia and across the United States. Whether it’s a rear-end collision on Sudley Road, a side-impact crash at an intersection, or a multi-vehicle pileup on a busy highway, the consequences can be devastating—ranging from whiplash and broken bones to severe spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. The immediate aftermath of a car accident is often chaotic and stressful, making it difficult for victims to think clearly about their legal options.
Our legal team understands the nuances of Virginia traffic laws, the complexities of insurance coverage issues, and how to effectively negotiate with often aggressive insurance adjusters whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. We work diligently from the outset to collect and preserve critical evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene and vehicles, traffic camera footage, and expert opinions from accident reconstructionists or medical professionals.
This comprehensive approach allows us to build the strongest case possible for our clients, ensuring all liable parties are identified and held accountable. If you’ve been injured in a car crash in or near Manassas, seeking advice from a dedicated Manassas personal injury lawyer should be a priority.
Commercial Truck Accidents in Manassas, VA
Accidents involving large commercial trucks, such as eighteen-wheelers or tractor-trailers, are often far more catastrophic than passenger vehicle accidents due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. The force of impact can lead to severe, life-altering injuries or fatalities.
These cases are also significantly more complex because they often involve multiple potentially liable parties—such as the truck driver, the trucking company that employs them, the vehicle owner, the maintenance provider, the cargo loader, and even the vehicle manufacturer.
Federal and state regulations heavily govern the commercial trucking industry, covering everything from driver hours of service and licensing to vehicle maintenance standards and cargo securement.
Violations of these complex regulations can serve as key evidence in a personal injury claim, demonstrating negligence on the part of the trucking company or driver. Our attorneys are intimately familiar with these regulations and have successfully handled claims involving driver fatigue, improper vehicle maintenance, overloaded cargo, inadequate training, and other forms of negligence within the trucking industry.
Navigating these complex cases requires legal knowledge, making the assistance of a Manassas personal injury lawyer who understands commercial trucking regulations essential if you were involved in such an accident in the area.
Manassas, VA Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in motor vehicle accidents, lacking the protection of a vehicle’s frame. Even a low-speed impact can lead to severe injuries such as multiple fractures, internal bleeding, spinal injuries, and head trauma.
In many cases, pedestrian accidents occur because a driver failed to yield the right-of-way at a crosswalk, was distracted by their phone or other occupants, was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply failed to pay attention to their surroundings.
We represent pedestrians who have been tragically injured while walking at crosswalks, on sidewalks, crossing intersections, and even in seemingly safe environments like parking lots. Our firm aggressively pursues maximum compensation for our clients’ extensive damages, which often include substantial medical bills (including emergency care, surgeries, and hospitalization), lost wages (both current and future earning capacity), significant pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the costs of long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy. A compassionate and Manassas personal injury lawyer will fight to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the full compensation you deserve after a pedestrian accident.
Motorcycle Accidents in Manassas & Surrounding Areas
Motorcyclists in Manassas, VA face a significantly higher risk of serious injury or fatality in traffic collisions compared to occupants of enclosed vehicles due to the lack of protective barriers.
Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents are caused not by the motorcyclist, but by negligent drivers of cars or trucks who fail to check blind spots, misjudge distances, make unsafe lane changes, or simply do not respect the presence of motorcyclists on the road.
We understand the unfair prejudices that motorcyclists sometimes face in injury claims, with assumptions often made about reckless riding.
Our Manassas, VA legal team works tirelessly to counter these biases and ensure our clients are treated fairly by insurance companies and in court. From utilizing accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate how the crash occurred to dealing with biased insurance adjusters who may try to devalue a claim, we handle all aspects of the legal process.
This allows injured riders to focus solely on their physical recovery and rehabilitation. If you were injured while riding your motorcycle in the Manassas area due to another driver’s negligence, consulting a Manassas personal injury lawyer experienced in motorcycle accident cases is vital.
Are You a Victim of a Dog Bite in Manassas?
Dog attacks in Manassas, VA can cause not only significant physical injuries but also profound emotional trauma, especially when the victim is a child. Virginia law holds dog owners accountable if their negligence leads to harm to another person.
This accountability can arise in various situations, including where the owner failed to properly leash their dog in public, failed to adequately confine their dog on their property, or knew their dog had dangerous propensities but failed to take reasonable steps to prevent an attack.
Our firm has represented victims of dog bites who have suffered a range of injuries, from painful puncture wounds and infections to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
We work diligently to secure compensation for all related damages, which can include emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, plastic and reconstructive surgery, psychological counseling or therapy, lost income if the injuries prevent work, and compensation for the significant pain, suffering, and emotional distress endured. A caring Manassas personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the process of holding a negligent dog owner responsible for your injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall incidents might seem minor at first glance, but they can lead to surprisingly serious consequences such as fractures, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and debilitating spinal injuries. These accidents often occur because of hazardous conditions on someone else’s property—like wet or slippery floors with no warning signs, uneven or damaged pavement, inadequate lighting in stairwells or walkways, or cluttered aisles.
Property owners and managers have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions for visitors, whether those visitors are customers, guests, or tenants. If a property owner or manager fails to identify and address known hazards in a timely manner—or fails to post clear warning signs about temporary hazards—they may be held liable for resulting injuries under premises liability law. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the fall, gather evidence such as incident reports, maintenance logs, photographs of the hazard, and witness statements to prove the property owner’s negligence. If you’ve suffered a serious injury from a slip and fall on someone else’s property in or around Manassas, consulting a Manassas personal injury lawyer knowledgeable in premises liability is advisable.
Premises Liability Claims in Manassas, VA
Premises liability is a broader area of law that extends beyond just slip and fall cases. It includes any type of injury that occurs due to unsafe or defective conditions on a property, whether it’s a private home, a commercial building like a store or restaurant, or a public space like a park. Examples of premises liability claims can include injuries from falling merchandise in a store, accidents caused by faulty handrails or stairs, injuries resulting from inadequate security leading to assault, swimming pool accidents, or injuries sustained due to faulty building maintenance.
We represent clients who have been injured due to the negligence of various parties responsible for property safety, including property owners, landlords, retail store operators, business owners, and even government entities responsible for public spaces. These cases can be complex, often requiring detailed investigation into property ownership, maintenance history, and relevant building codes or safety regulations.
However, our experience and attention to detail help ensure that negligent parties are held accountable and that our clients receive the fair and just compensation they deserve for their medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. For any injury sustained on unsafe property in the area, a Manassas personal injury lawyer can assess your premises liability claim.
Criminal and Intentional Acts
Not all personal injury claims stem from unintentional accidents. Some arise from deliberate acts of violence, such as assaults, battery, shootings, or other criminal conduct. In these distressing cases, the perpetrator may face criminal charges brought by the state, potentially leading to imprisonment or other penalties. However, victims of intentional harm also have the right to seek civil compensation from the perpetrator for their injuries and losses, regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings.
We pursue civil claims for victims of intentional harm, working to hold the responsible parties financially accountable in civil court—even if they are also facing criminal prosecution or are not convicted in the criminal case.
These civil cases can provide crucial financial relief to help victims cover extensive medical bills (including long-term physical and psychological therapy), lost income due to inability to work, and compensation for the profound physical pain, emotional distress, and suffering endured as a result of the intentional act. While a civil claim cannot undo the harm, securing compensation can significantly aid in the victim’s recovery and ability to move forward. If you have been the victim of an intentional act resulting in injury, a Manassas personal injury lawyer can explain your options for pursuing a civil claim for damages.
Beyond these specific types of cases, our firm also handles claims involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and other instances where negligence causes significant harm. We understand that suffering a personal injury can impact every aspect of your life, affecting your physical health, emotional well-being, financial stability, and relationships. That’s why we are committed to providing comprehensive legal support, handling all communication with insurance companies, opposing counsel, and the courts so you can focus on healing.
Understanding the Legal Process for Personal Injury Claims in Manassas, VA
The legal process for a personal injury claim in Virginia typically begins with an investigation and the gathering of evidence. This is followed by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Negotiations with the insurance adjuster will then commence. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit in court. The litigation process involves discovery (exchanging information and evidence with the other side), potentially mediation or arbitration (alternative dispute resolution methods), and if necessary, a trial. Having a Manassas personal injury lawyer by your side throughout each stage is invaluable, as they can protect your rights and advocate effectively on your behalf.
In Virginia, there is a strict time limit, known as the statute of limitations, within which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, this time limit is two years from the date the injury occurred. However, there can be exceptions to this rule, and failing to file within the statutory period almost always results in losing your right to seek compensation through the courts.
This is why it is critical to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. A timely consultation with a Manassas personal injury lawyer will ensure that your claim is evaluated promptly and that all necessary legal steps are taken within the required deadlines.
When pursuing a personal injury claim, the goal is to recover compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of the other party’s negligence. These damages can be broadly categorized as economic and non-economic. Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses, such as medical expenses (past and future), lost wages (past and future), loss of earning capacity, property damage, and the cost of necessary medical equipment or home modifications.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and compensate for the non-financial impacts of your injuries, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium (impact on marital relationship). A Manassas personal injury lawyer will meticulously calculate all potential damages to ensure you seek full and fair compensation for everything you have lost and endured.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means that you do not pay any upfront legal fees. We only get paid if and when we successfully recover compensation for you, either through a settlement or a favorable court verdict.
Choosing the right attorney to represent you is a very important decision. You need a legal advocate who is not only knowledgeable and experienced in Virginia personal injury law but also compassionate, communicative, and dedicated to your case.
Our team is committed to providing personalized legal services, keeping you informed at every step, and fighting tirelessly for the justice and compensation you deserve. If you are in Manassas or the surrounding areas and need legal assistance after an injury, contacting a Manassas personal injury lawyer at our firm is the first step towards securing your future.
How We Can Help You
No matter how your injury occurred, our primary goal is to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Our legal team will guide you through each step of the claims process, including:
- Free consultation and case evaluation
- Thorough investigation and evidence gathering
- Communication with insurance companies
- Filing legal paperwork and managing deadlines
- Negotiation for a fair settlement
- Trial representation, if necessary
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront fees and owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
What is Considered a Serious Personal Injury?
A serious (catastrophic) injury will often permanently affect an individual’s ability to function and live in a normal manner. Such injuries are typically disfiguring or disabling in nature, and commonly include the following:
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Severe burns
- Dismemberment
- Paralysis
Severe injuries, such as described above, can cause varying degrees of paralysis, reduced cognitive function, chronic pain, and physical impairments for victims. This can lead to a lifetime of physical, emotional, and financial issues.
In general, serious injuries will make it impossible for an individual to resume work for extended periods or entirely prevent the victim from working again and requiring specialized medical care for the remainder of their lives. This can lead to extreme financial difficulties, particularly when dealing with high medical bills associated with treating severe and debilitating injuries.
Compensation in Serious Personal Injury Lawsuits
The following types of compensatory damages are commonly awarded in personal injury claims:
Medical Treatment – A compensatory damages award in a personal injury case almost always includes medical care costs related to the accident, including reimbursement for medical treatment you have already undergone as well as the approximate cost of medical care you will require in the future due to the accident.
Pain and Suffering – For the pain and discomfort, you experienced during the accident and afterward may entitle you to receive compensation, including compensation for any ongoing pain due to the accident.
Loss of Income – You may be able to receive compensatory damages for the accident’s effect on your wages and salary. This may include not only income that you have already lost but also future income that you would have been able to earn, if the accident had not taken place.
Emotional Distress – Compensation for emotional distress is associated with more serious accidents and is meant to compensate the victim for an injury’s psychological effect, including anxiety, insomnia, and fear.
Loss of Enjoyment – You may be entitled to receive compensation for “loss of enjoyment” if serious injuries from an accident prevent you from enjoying routine pursuits such as exercise, hobbies, and other recreational activities.
Loss of Consortium – “Loss of consortium” usually relates to the effect of the injuries on the relationship between the plaintiff and their spouse. For example, the inability to engage in a sexual relationship or the loss of companionship could be considered a consortium loss.
If you have been injured, it is important to find an attorney and law firm that you can trust. We have a reputation in our community of case success and client satisfaction.
You Deserve to Be Compensated for Your Injuries
When you are involved in an accident caused by the fault of another, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead work hard on your behalf to recover the full value of damages you’re owed. In Virginia, you have the right to recover both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are precise financial costs that you have incurred, such as the value of your medical expenses. Noneconomic damages refer to the value of intangible harm you have suffered, such as the value of your pain and suffering.
While most damages are not capped in the state of Virginia – meaning that you can recover the full amount of your losses – there are two types of damages that are capped. First, damages in medical malpractice cases are capped at just over $2 million (the amount increases slightly every year, as laid forth in Code of Virginia Section 8.01-581.15).
The other type of damages that are capped in Virginia are punitive damages, which are damages designed to punish the defendant rather than compensate the victim. In Virginia, punitive damages are capped at $350,000.
It Is Important to Act Quickly
If you believe that another party’s negligence was the direct cause of your injuries and you want to see compensation for the damages you have suffered, you must act quickly to bring forth your claim and begin the recovery process. If you do not file your suit for damages within two years time from the date of your injury, you will be barred from seeking damages. At the law offices of Olmstead & Olmstead we recommend scheduling a consultation with our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible following your accident.
Important Laws About Fault & Negligence in Virginia
Fault and negligence are often used interchangeably, but negligence is the failure to exercise a reasonable amount of care in a given situation, and helps to determine which party is at fault for an accident and injuries.
Each state has its own fault laws, which affect how much a plaintiff can recover when and if they contribute to their injuries in any way. Virginia is a contributory negligence state, and has harsh laws when it comes to a plaintiff’s fault. To be sure, Virginia’s pure contributory negligence laws hold that if a plaintiff contributes to their injuries in the slightest way, even as little as one percent, they are completely barred from seeking damages from the at fault party.
The pure contributory fault law can make recovering compensation for your injuries difficult, as the defendant may argue that you contributed to your injuries, and are therefore barred from compensation. For this reason, working with an experienced Virginia car accident attorney is absolutely essential; attempting to represent yourself could mean that you are unable to gather the evidence necessary to prove that the defendant should be 100 percent liable for your losses.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Personal Injury Claim?
Following the initial investigation, a letter of demand will be sent to the insured and their insurer. In case the insurance provider refuses to pay or offers a lowball settlement, you can lodge a formal complaint in court. At this point, the personal injury claim process can start to drag on.
After filing a complaint, the process of discovery begins. In this process, both your lawyer and the defendant’s will collect information for the case via interviews, reviewing of paperwork and reports, and other investigative techniques. This part of the process is vital for building a robust claim that can be proved in court, should the need arise. But most cases do not reach court, and more than 90 percent of personal injury claims are settled before that occurs.
After the discovery stage, your lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer may initiate settlement negotiations. Sometimes the process ends here. In other cases, the case moves into mediation.
At the time of mediation, both parties will meet with a neutral third party, usually appointed by the court, to present their cases and try to reach a settlement. Almost all personal injury claims are settled before or during this stage of the process. But if your claim involves substantial compensatory damages, or if settlement is not possible, the case will end up at trial.
The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia is two years. The clock on this deadline typically starts running on the date of your injury in most cases.
Why You Should Choose the Law Offices of Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C.
Our law firm is comprised of experienced professionals who have been involved in many areas of the law, and therefore have the unique perspective and background your case deserves. We have decades of combined experience and our case results speak to our level of skill. When you hire our law firm, we will handle all components of your personal injury case, including establishing that a relationship existed between you and the defendant, gathering and organizing the evidence necessary to prove that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to you, proving that the breach of duty of care (negligence) was the direct cause of your injuries, and demonstrating the full extent of damages you have suffered.
Contact Us Today
When you are injured, picking up the phone to call a lawyer and talk about your injuries can be challenging; we know that reliving your accident can be painful and emotional. We want to reassure you that we will do everything we can to improve your chances of recovering every penny you are owed.
If you are ready to take your life back and seek justice, please contact us today. A consultation with the experienced and aggressive car accident attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead is free, and there is no fee for our services unless we recover damages. You can reach us online, or at 703-361-1555.