Accident & Personal Injury Law serving Wytheville & Southwest Virginia
When you’ve been hurt, we help you take back control.
Many of our personal injury cases involve accidents on I-81 and I-77, whether the person is local to Wythe County or just passing through. Wherever it happened, you deserve an attorney who will fight for your rights and treat you like a person, not a case file.
Chuck Lacy has built a decades-long reputation in Wythe County for treating his clients with respect and never backing down when it matters most. We’ll handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.
We handle cases involving:
Auto accidents
Tractor trailer accidents
Wrongful death
Products liability
Insurance recovery
“I was involved in a terrible truck accident. My medical bills were massive. I was out of work for over a year. The insurance company did not want to pay. It was a nightmare. I chose to have Charles Lacy represent me in my suit. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He fought hard for me to get the best result possible. Anytime I had questions, the answers were just a phone call away.”
Accident & Personal Injury FAQs
What is “personal injury”?
“Personal injury” means any injury to any part of your body. If you are injured in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, you are entitled to recover for your medical bills, your lost wages, your pain and suffering, any permanent disability or disfigurement, and all future medical bills and lost wages related to the accident.
What types of accidents qualify as personal injury cases?
Personal injury cases generally fall into two categories: 1) automobile accidents in which the other driver is at fault, and 2) accidents on another’s property where the owner allowed a dangerous condition to exit.
I need a rental vehicle while my car is being repaired. What do I do?
If your accident occurred in Virginia and the other driver was at fault, his insurance company must pay for a rental vehicle for you for a reasonable period of time while yours is being repaired. In addition, if you carry rental vehicle coverage on your own vehicle, your insurance company will pay for a rental vehicle for you for a reasonable period of time while yours is being repaired.
My car was totaled and the insurance company is not offering me enough to pay off the loan against it. Can they do that?
The insurance company is only required to pay you the fair market value of your vehicle. This is often referred to as “Blue Book Value”. The insurance company’s obligation has nothing to do with what you owe on the vehicle, or what it will cost to replace it. If you believe that your vehicle was worth more than “Blue Book Value”, you will have to find someone qualified in the field of used car sales to give you a statement as to the actual fair market value of the vehicle.
MA representative of the insurance company for the other driver is calling me. Should I talk to them?
I would not advise speaking with the insurance company representative for the other driver until you have consulted with an attorney.
My own insurance company is calling me. Should I give them a statement?
You are required to cooperate with your own insurance company’s investigation of the accident, and you are required to be truthful with them. Be aware, however, that anything you say to your insurance company may be used against you if it damages your case. If at all possible, it would be advisable to speak to a qualified personal injury attorney before you speak with your insurance representative.
The insurance company for the other driver has offered me a settlement and wants me to sign a release. How do I know if they are offering me enough?
Only a qualified personal injury attorney, after a thorough analysis of your case, can answer that question for you. Most personal injury attorneys are willing to give you a free consultation to do an initial evaluation of your claim.
Can I negotiate for more money after I have signed a release?
No, once you have signed a release, you cannot negotiate.
What is “uninsured motorist coverage”?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) is insurance coverage on your own auto policy that protects you in the event that you are involved in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or has very low limits of liability coverage. In Virginia and some other states, it is advisable to have your vehicles insured on separate policies, even if all are with the same company. This allows you to combine (double or triple) your uninsured motorist coverage at no extra cost to you. Remember, one out of every 7 drivers on the road today is uninsured.
My medical bills are piling up and my health insurer is refusing to pay them because they are related to an accident. What do I do?
In Virginia and many other states, if you are insured under a health insurance plan, your insurer cannot refuse to pay your medical bills because they result from an accident. However, once you recover, your health insurance company may be entitled to reimbursement from the at fault driver’s automobile insurance carrier for what it has paid out.
What is “medical payments coverage”?
Medical Payments coverage (MedPay) is insurance coverage on your own auto policy that provides you with money to pay your medical bills, regardless of who is at fault in the accident. Be sure you have Medical Payments coverage on your auto own auto insurance, up to $5000.00 per person. This is “no fault” insurance, very inexpensive, and very helpful if you’re in an accident.
How long does a personal injury case take?
That varies widely. Depending upon the complexity of the case and whether the case is settled or is tried before a jury, your case may take anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Particularly complex cases can take longer.
If I was injured in another state, where should I look for a lawyer?
You should look for a qualified personal injury attorney in the area in which the accident occurred. The internet is a good source. Lawyers.com is one website that will help you find an attorney in the area in which the accident occurred. You may also want to contact your own personal attorney to ask if he or she can recommend an attorney in the area where the accident occurred.
How much does a personal injury attorney cost?
Most personal injury attorneys work on what is known as a “contingency fee basis”. This means that the attorney will be paid a portion of what is recovered for your injuries. If nothing is recovered, you owe nothing.
Let’s talk.
Whether you need help now or just have questions, we’re here to listen and ready to help.