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FAQ

1. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for most accidents is two (2) years in the state of Virginia. If you have an automobile accident in Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford or any other county in Virginia, you have two years from the date of accident in which to file your claim in Court. If the case is not filed in Court before that time, your right to recover is forever barred.

2. How much will it cost for Mr. Morrison to handle my case?

Nothing, unless we win your case. We charge a percentage of the amount that we recover by verdict or settlement. If we don’t recover for you, we charge you nothing.

3. What kind of damages are available for automobile accidents and other personal injury actions in Virginia?

In Virginia, a person can generally recover past and future medical bills resulting from an accident, lost income in the past and in the future for permanent injury or scarring and for mental and physical pain and suffering as a result of an automobile accident.

4. What if my health insurance has already paid my medical bills?

Virginia has what is known as a collateral source rule. You can still make full recovery from a person causing your injury even if those bills have been paid by health insurance or some other source.

5. What if the police officer didn’t give the other person a ticket?

A police officer’s decision as to who was at fault in causing an accident is not admissible evidence in the State of Virginia. Our lawyers will evaluate your case based on the facts and not on the decision of the police officer, who may or may not have even been a witness to the accident.

6. What Court will my case be filed in?

Automobile accident cases in Virginia can be filed in two different courts. The General District Court has a jurisdictional limit of $25,000 which means you cannot recover more than that amount in a claim filed in that court. The Circuit Court has unlimited amount of jurisdiction, so more serious accident cases are generally filed in the Circuit Court.

7. How long will it take my case to get to trial once it is filed with the Court system?

Typically, Circuit Court cases are tried within one year from the date of filing, while General District Court cases take approximately 4 or 5 months from the date of filing to go to trial.

8. Who decides how much the settlement of my case will be?

We will negotiate directly with the insurance company. We consult with you on all settlement offers and you have final approval of any settlement. If you decide that the insurance company’s offer is not appropriate then the matter will go to trial. It is our policy to be very candid and to give our best advice about the value of a case, but it is the client’s decision whether the case settles or goes to trial.

9. What is the firm’s reputation?

Mr. Morrison has been in practice for over 25 years and has successfully tried hundreds of cases during that time. Because of his substantial experience and knowledge of the court system, he enjoys an excellent reputation and is very well respected in the legal community.