When a Criminal Conviction is Not Enough: Punitive Damages Against Drunk Drivers
- Written by Amy Miles Kowalski and Chad A. Mooney
A drunk driver who causes injury may escape jail time altogether, and any restitution may not even cover the injured party’s medical bills. However, if you are injured by a drunk driver, you may be able to recover more than just damages that compensate you for your injuries and damage to your property. Virginia recognizes a category of damages called “punitive damages” that operates to punish a wrongdoer over and above the amount of damage caused to the victim and to deter egregious conduct. Punitive damages are especially helpful in drunk driving cases when the criminal penalty imposed may seem insufficient.
Prepaid Traffic Tickets: An Admission of Guilt
- Written by Amy Miles Kowalski and Chad A. Mooney
You have been injured in an accident while the other driver seemingly walks away with a traffic ticket, perhaps for speeding or running a red light. You pause and wonder about the fairness of this situation. Although the other driver may be tempted to avoid the hassle of court and instead opt to prepay the associated fine, the law may be on your side.
New Laws in Virginia (Effective July 1, 2018)
- Written by Chad A. Mooney
As the calendar rolled over to July 1, 2018, new laws have taken effect in the Commonwealth. The following “short” list is not comprehensive, but includes those laws that may have interest among personal injury and civil litigation attorneys.
General District Court 101: What to Expect
- Written by Amy Miles Kowalski
When you sue someone or are being sued, chances are high that you will find yourself in one of Virginia’s General District Courts (the “GDC”). The GDC oversees the adjudication of small civil claims, which is the focus of this post. Other matters handled by the GDC include traffic violations, minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases called felonies.
Case Study: Insurance Issues and a Trap for an Unwary Unrepresented Party
- Written by Chad A. Mooney
Recently I handled a case worthy of a law school exam on insurance. An Amherst County man had been injured in a motor vehicle accident. The injured party tried to handle the case himself and had done an admirable job, as he was able to secure the $25,000 policy limit from the liability carrier.