Frequently Asked Questions

Each state has a “statute of limitations” that governs how long you can wait before filing a lawsuit. The time limit will be different depending on the type of injury you suffered. Here is a list of the statute of limitations for auto accidents in the states that we practice: – North Carolina: 3 years, wrongful death 2 years, – Virginia: 2 years – West Virginia: 2 years – Washington, D.C.: 3 years While the statute of limitations provides the “end date” for the filing of a lawsuit, there may be many good reasons to get yours started earlier. Additionally, because every case is different, there may be some exception to the general statute of limitations rules that applies to your case.
About the editors: The motto at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp& Duffan law firm is simple -“All we do is injury law.” We hope you were able to find the answer to your injury query. If not, please review our Virginia Accident Lawyer FAQ Library for additional information. If you’d like to speak to an actual attorney about your potential injury claim for free, please contact our office at (833) 997-1774.

Most of the time you are simply making a claim against your friend’s car insurance policy.  There is a strong liklihood that the case will settle before it ever goes to a lawsuit.  Also, this is why we all have car insurance, for claims like these. 
About the Editors: Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp& Duffan is a law firm which focuses exclusively on injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth. Our office is based in Virginia Beach, but we’re ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you’ve been seriously hurt by someone else’s carelessness. While not every injury case meets our criteria,  we off a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at (833) 997-1774. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.  
Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. Rick and James, along with fellow attorney John C. were named Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law  (2010 Ed., less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.
We also offer free special reports along with editing the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube, a Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers blog, a Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors blog, a VA/NC Wrongful Death blog, and a blog dedicated to accident and safety issues on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

You need a lawyer who can assess the facts of your case.  You cannot pick and choose which defendant you will hold responsible for your injuries.  If both drivers were at fault, they will both be responsible to you for your injuries. 

The Virginia Model Jury Instructions state, “The maximum speed limit at the time and place of the collision was (number of miles per hour) If the defendant was driving his vehicle faster than this limit, then he was negligent.
 
The jury instructions are the laws as would be given by a Virginia judge to a jury in a Virginia personal injury lawsuit. If the driver is driving over the marked speed limit and hits your car, he should be found liable for the car wreck.

A business or parking lot owner can only be held responsible for pedestrian accidents if the crash happened because the lot was provably unsafe because, for example, it lacked required lighting and pavement markings.