Posts by Michael Phelan

The moments immediately after a car accident are the best time to collect evidence of what happened, the damage, and your injuries. Even just an hour later, the lanes will be cleared, roads could be dry from the rain. It’s not long before any video of the accident may also be lost as it is…

In most types of car accidents, someone calls the police to notify them that there has been an accident. In Virginia, drivers have a duty to contact the police when someone dies, there is an injury, or there is property damage. There are some situations where the police are not called even though someone was…

The stark reality is that insurance companies are businesses, and their primary purpose is to turn a profit by making more money than they spend. They make money by accepting premiums, and they spend money by paying claims. Consequently, insurance companies train their adjusters to make money for their employers by minimizing claims or denying…

Everyone who’s traveled in the United States knows that, unfortunately, some highways can be just plain risky. There are a range of factors that influence how hazardous road systems are, but a few of the most common are worn-out infrastructure, congestion, extreme weather, and challenging terrain. One other less common but equally serious factor contributing…

Did you know that wearing a seat belt in Virginia in 1987 was a personal choice, and no police officer could stop you for the violation? Today, it’s funny to imagine driving around Richmond or Charlottesville with no belt on, carefree even while passing through a police checkpoint. It took considerable time and a large…

The rideshare giant Uber has filed a lawsuit against several law firms, doctors, and pain management clinics in New York. Uber claims these groups have been faking car accidents to exploit the state’s no-fault insurance system. This means they’re allegedly staging minor crashes or approaching those involved in a minor crash and then having the…