Difference Between Slip and Fall vs. Trip and Fall
Although falls often feel like random missteps, they typically don’t come out of nowhere. When your fall happened because of preventable hazards on someone else’s property, it’s crucial to understand the specifics of your situation. Even though "slip and fall" and "trip and fall" accidents may seem similar, they involve different circumstances and cause different injuries. Recognizing these distinctions is essential for building a strong case and securing the compensation you need to recover. In this blog post, we’ll compare and contrast these two types of accidents and explain what victims need to know about their legal rights in either situation.
What Is a Slip and Fall?
A slip and fall accident typically happens when someone loses traction on a slippery or unstable surface, falling backwards as a result. Common situations that can lead to these incidents include:
- Wet or greasy floors without warning signs,
- Spilled liquid or water that hasn’t been cleaned up,
Slip and Fall Lawsuits: What You Need to Know Before Filing in VA
Did you recently injure yourself in a slip and fall accident on public proptery?
Don’t wait. Contact the dependable and hardworking legal team at Merrick Brock, PLLC now for a free consultation. We have your back and will fight for your rights.
One moment, you’re walking without a care in the world, and the next, you’re on the ground, injured and unsure of what to do next. If you’ve suffered from a slip and fall accident, you deserve more than just answers—you deserve a powerful advocate on your side to handle your slip and fall lawsuit.
At Merrick Brock PLLC, John Merrick and Les Brock bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to your case. Having spent decades defending large insurance companies and corporations, Merrick Brock PLLC now focuses on advocating for individuals and families who have suffered due to someone else’s negligence.
Where Do Broadside Collisions Most Commonly Occur in Virginia?
Were you involved in a broadside collision in Virginia?
Don’t wait. Contact the dependable and hardworking legal team at Merrick Brock, PLLC now for a free consultation. We have your back and will fight for your rights.
Imagine driving through a familiar intersection when another car slams into your side. The shock of the impact is overwhelming, and in that moment, you realize how easily a broadside collision, or T-bone crash, can turn your life upside down.
Where do broadside collisions most commonly occur? In Virginia, these types of accidents happen more often than you might think, and they tend to occur in specific high-risk areas that pose significant dangers to drivers.
At Merrick Brock PLLC, we understand the impact these accidents can have on victims and their families. If you’ve been involved in a broadside collision, our experienced legal team is here to help. We have a deep understanding of Virginia’s traffic laws and can guide you through the legal steps needed to secure justice.
Is Brake Checking Illegal in Virginia?
Short Answer: Is brake checking illegal in Virginia?
Yes—it’s classified as aggressive or reckless driving under Virginia law, and drivers can face fines, jail time, and liability issues, especially given Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rules. If brake checking causes a crash, both the brake-checker and the tailgater may be barred from recovering compensation.
Imagine cruising down the road when the driver in front slams on their brakes out of nowhere without warning. Your heart races, your tires screech, and you barely avoid a collision. This reckless act is known as brake checking. Is brake checking illegal? Yes, and it’s dangerous.
Brake checking is more than a moment of road rage. It’s a hazardous driving behavior that can lead to serious accidents, hefty penalties, and complex legal battles over liability. But what exactly makes brake checking illegal, and how can it affect your rights if you’re involved in an incident?
Understanding the Right of Way Rules in Virginia
You’re cruising down the road in Virginia and approaching an intersection. A car approaches next to you, and you’re left wondering, who’s supposed to go first? It’s a moment of hesitation we’ve all faced, and it can be confusing if you’re unsure about the rules.
But here’s the thing: the right of way rules are more than just a rule—it’s a matter of safety. Knowing who should go first in any situation could help you avoid accidents, keep your insurance rates down, and drive more confidently.
At Merrick Brock PLLC, we have decades of legal experience. When understanding traffic laws, you don’t have to go it alone. In this blog, we’re diving into Virginia’s right-of-way rules so you can drive with clarity and peace of mind.
Whether you’re navigating busy streets or quiet rural roads, knowing who yields and when could make all the difference in the world. Let’s break it down!
Don’t live in Richmond, Virginia? That’s okay! Merrick Brock handles cases all around Virginia, and we have just opened a Lynchburg office!
What to Do After a Car Accident in Richmond: A Complete Guide
A car accident can leave you overwhelmed and uncertain about your next steps. Knowing what to do after a car accident is essential to protecting your rights, health, and financial well-being.
At Merrick Brock PLLC, we have decades of experience assisting car accident victims in Virginia. We are committed to guiding clients through the complexities of the aftermath and fighting for the compensation they deserve.
If you’re unsure about your next steps, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of what to do after a car accident and how we can help.
Contents hide 1 How a Richmond Car Accident Attorney at Merrick Brock PLLC Can Help You 2 Speak with a knowledgable car accident lawyer in Richmond today. 3 What to Do After a Minor Car Accident in Richmond? 4 What to Do After a Car Accident in Richmond, Virginia 4.1 1. Ensure Safety First 4.2 2. Contact the police 4.3 3. Seek Medical Attention Immediately 4.4 4. Document the Scene 4.5 5. Notify Your Insurance Company 4.6 6. Hire a Car Accident Attorney 5 After a Car Accident in Richmond, VA: Where Your Car Gets Towed & How to Find It 5.1 1. Police-Directed Tow (Most Common in Serious Accidents) 5.2 2. Private Tow (If You Called a Tow Truck Yourself) 5.3 3. Towed From Private Property or Parking Lots 6 How to Find Out Where Your Car Was Towed in Richmond 6.1 1. Call the Richmond Police Department (Non-Emergency Line) 6.2 2. Contact Local Tow Companies 6.3 3. Check with Your Insurance Company 6.4 4. Look for Paperwork Left at the Scene 7 Engage a Knowledgeable Richmond Car Accident Attorney to Fight For Your Rights 8 FAQs — What to Do After a Car Accident in Richmond
Approach to Mediation
— By John Merrick —
Mediators are wedded primarily to one thing and one thing only: the deal.
They do not care about saving the insurance company money.
They do not care about putting more money in the pocket of the plaintiff.
They do not care about the amount of the settlement.
(And they should not care about any of these things)
A mediator’s goal is to find out – usually without asking directly – how much one side will pay and how much the other side will accept. Then, the mediator attempts to bring the parties to that figure or range using a variety of tactics.
Prepare accordingly:
– Prepare your client for every issue that will be raised by the mediator.
– Have a plan and stick to it. It is important to be firm yet flexible.
– Keep an open mind and be willing to bend if it is reasonable to do so.
– Do not negotiate against yourself.
– Do not make big moves without reciprocity (unless you are in an unreasonable range and need to adjust to keep the other side engaged.
– Do not capitulate.
– Do keep moving.
Even when a resolution seems hopeless, keep a positive attitude. Big moves often come late in the day.
Mediation Works
—By John Merrick —
Mediation works when everyone participates in good faith.
Good faith requires extensive preparation, recognition of risks and acknowledgment of weaknesses (at least internally).
At worst, mediation forces everyone to focus on the potential for settlement at the same time.
This triggers conversations (reports) that may otherwise not occur. The defense attorney and insurance adjuster carefully review pre-mediation reports and update their settlement evaluations and potential verdict range. The plaintiff’s attorney reviews the strengths and weakness of the case, costs, benefits and risks of trial (versus the certainty of settlement) with the client. The mediator uses his / her experience and touch to build rapport and find consensus.
Most importantly, the parties show up in good faith. They set aside their time to focus and listen. Everyone attends with a fresh set of eyes on the case.
In most cases, the mediator can lead the parties to the figure where their settlement ranges overlap or, in some cases, adjust the ranges until they overlap.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
—By John Merrick —
How do you reach a fair settlement sooner rather than later?
Answer: Allow sufficient time, provide adequate information and be reasonable.
As a former insurance defense lawyer, I am often asked "What can I do to get so-and-so to settle this case 6 months before trial?"
My normal response is, "Have you made a reasonable demand?" To which the usual response is "Not really" (for a variety of reasons).
When the plaintiff makes an unreasonable demand, most defense attorneys have little incentive to try to resolve the case well in advance of a trial date. They have plenty of other cases that require their attention and will happily remain on cruise control until trial approaches without a reasonable demand.
The best way to reach a settlement sooner rather than later is to make sure the other side has all the information they need, sufficient time to analyze the information and report to the insurance carrier, and a reasonable demand to consider.
Cases Settle Because of Risk Assessments
—By John Merrick—
Both sides get a bad rap: "greedy personal injury lawyers file frivolous suits" and "greedy insurance companies deny (defend against) worthy claims".
Neither one is true, but a few bad apples can ruin the whole bunch.
If it was true, then why do 95% of cases settle? And, of the remaining 5% that go to trial, the result in personal injury cases is close to 50/50.
Cases settle because of the calculated risk of an adverse result. The parties would rather have control over the result by way of settlement, than leave it in the hands of an (unpredictable) jury that could go 50/50.
If there is calculated risk, that means (1) the cases are not frivolous and (2) parts of the claim are defensible.
Both sides have a job to do. Litigation allows the parties to obtain the information they need to make a confident risk assessment. We have a great system, especially when the players are considerate of each other.
According to forbes.com:
From our offices in Richmond and Lynchburg, Merrick Brock, PLLC represents injury victims and their families throughout Central Virginia and communities across the Commonwealth. We serve clients in Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Midlothian, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Mechanicsville, Chesterfield, Bon Air, Tuckahoe, Ashland, Petersburg, and surrounding areas. Our attorneys also assist clients throughout Lynchburg, Northern Virginia, and the Hampton Roads region, including Alexandria, Arlington, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
1801 Libbie Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23226
804-500-9796
