Blacksburg Law Blog

Man runs over other driver following car crash

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Friday, June 22, 2018.

Car accidents can look like a lot of different things. It can be a fender bender, head on collision, sideswipe, T-bone, multi-vehicle crash and even a pedestrian accident. Sometimes these tragic events are simply just accidents. In other cases, a motorist is negligent or reckless, resulting in a serious crash. When a motorist is deliberately acting reckless, this not only opens up the possibility of the driver facing criminal charges for his or her acts, but it could also mean legal recourses for a victim for the losses and damages suffered.

According to recent reports, a serious automobile collision occurred in Manassas. Police reports indicate that a Maryland man was charged with attacking another person following a motor vehicle accident. Authorities in Virginia believe that this altercation occurred after a minor accident occurred near the intersection of Prince Williams County Parkway and Hastings Drive.

Did you know an IID is mandatory for a first DUI conviction?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Monday, June 11, 2018.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is serious about keeping drunk drivers off the road. One of the measures found to be very effective is that of installing an ignition interlock device in a vehicle.

State law now requires the use of an IID for any conviction related to alcohol. This means, even if you are a first-time offender, you will have to adjust to driving with an ignition interlock device on board.

What are the pros and cons of a plea bargain?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Friday, June 8, 2018.

It can be an overwhelming and nerve wrecking experience when an individual is arrested. Facing criminal charges can mean a wide array of things to the accused; however, it likely means that he or she will have to make a decision regarding the criminal defense to initiate. For some, going to court and litigating the matter is the most obvious way to assert a defense. Nonetheless, some defendants explore other defense options that might help them avoid a lengthy criminal proceeding. In some cases, a plea bargain may be in the best interests of the accused.

What are the pros and cons of a plea bargain? To begin, plea bargain is decided before a trial begins. This means that a defendant could avoid going to court. The process involves an agreement being made between a defendant and the prosecution in order to resolve the matter without going to court.

Helping you assert your rights following a car crash

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

When we get in a motor vehicle, we are often thinking about where we are going. We often do not think about the dangers that we might encounter when traveling in a vehicle. However, there are many dangers on the roadways. Distracted, reckless, fatigued and intoxicated drivers could be traveling near you, creating an extremely risky situation. Although many motorists have never been involved in a car accident, the unfortunate reality is that an accident could happen at any time and to anyone.

Whether it is minor, serious or fatal, automobile collisions can impact many people in many ways. An injured victim may suffer serious injuries, causing them to undergo much medical care. Accidents could cause disabilities, impacting a person's ability to maintain a job. Finally, car crashes can take lives. Family members could suffer tremendous loss following at fatal car accident. At Spicer, Olin & Associates, our skilled attorneys understand how a car accident can generate much damage and losses. Thus, we are dedicated to helping those in the Blackburg area understand their options and now to navigate a civil action.

What are the elements of a short sale?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in real estate transactions on Friday, May 11, 2018.

Purchasing a home or real estate is an exciting time. It means obtaining a family home, a new business or working in the business of flipping homes and buildings. No matter the reason for purchase, though, various steps must be completed in order for this transaction to be complete. When looking at properties, it might be more lucrative to purchase one over the other. One thing that buyers need to consider is a short sale and what this means over a purchase that is not a short sale.

What are the elements of a short sale? To begin, a short sale is a sale of property that results in the mortgage lender netting less than the amount due to the lender once all costs are taken into consideration. Why does this occur? This often happens for two reasons.

Helping you through real estate transactions

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in real estate transactions on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Purchasing a home or a business is a major life event. It is not only a costly transaction but also one that will control a person's finances for an extended time frame. Thus, it is not a transaction to enter into lightly. Many steps are necessary when going through the process to purchase or sell real estate. In addition, much paperwork must be compiled, filled out and signed. This can be an overwhelming time, requiring some assistance to ensure the transaction goes as planned.

At Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C., our skilled attorneys have handled a wide variety of real estate matters. Whether it is a commercial or residential real estate transaction, our law firm has a background in this area of law, handling all aspects of these matters. Thus, we are dedicated and well prepared to help individuals and business owners in the Blacksburg area navigate these matters.

Can a drug conviction cause you to lose financial aid?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Monday, April 23, 2018.

If you are the parent of a child attending Virginia Tech or another Virginia college or university, you may have concerns about how your child will behave without direct parental supervision. While many students who leave home for the first time experiment at some point or another over the course of their college careers, there are certain actions and behaviors that can land your college student in serious hot water.

Many drug convictions, for example, bring with them steep fines and potential time behind bars, and if your child receives a conviction for a drug-related offense, he or she may also face collateral consequences. Collateral consequences are repercussions relating to a crime that do not come directly from the court system, and one potential consequence for a college student’s drug conviction is ineligibility for financial aid.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of a S-corp?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in business formation & planning on Friday, April 13, 2018.

Starting a business or corporation means taking much time to determine what the business will look like and how it will operate. Business planning and formation can get complex, especially when one thinks about it in the long run. And since there is no way around it, business owners will need to consider how the corporation will be taxing time to protect him or herself in the process.

An S corporation is formed for certain reasons. Many consider it to be beneficial because it allows it to be taxed much like partnerships when it comes to federal and state income tax purposes. When comparing it to a C corporation, there are many tax advantages that would cause someone to consider a S-corp over a C-corp.

Providing you legal guidance following a car crash

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Friday, March 30, 2018.

Let's be honest. No one expects to get in an accident. While motorists in Virginia and elsewhere may travel by accident sites on a monthly, weekly or even daily basis, most do not believe that it could be them one day. But due to growing distractions and negligence on the roadways, it is now more likely than ever a motorist will be involved in a collision at some point in their life.

The aftermath of a car accident can be gruesome. Victims could suffer severe injuries, requiring much medical treatment and possibly years of medical intervention. In addition, accident victims might endure temporary or permanent injuries, causing them to be unable to work or enjoy the same quality of life. At Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C., our attorneys are well versed in personal injury matters and are prepared to offer assistance to accident victims in the Blacksburg area.

Helping people address their needs after a car accident

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

For many people that get into a car accident, the days and weeks after the crash see them fall into depression. They may not know what to do or how to address the physical injuries they have suffered, some of which can be mysterious and hard to define -- such as whiplash and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). There can also be significant property damage that can drain a person's finances.

Helping people recover from a car accident is a critical function of a personal injury attorney, and we want to encourage people who, unfortunately, are involved in a car accident to take the necessary steps after the crash to address the havoc that has just been brought upon their lives.