Hilton & Somer, LLC

10/07/2026

This past Sunday, a 13-year-old lost control of a car on the Fairfax County Parkway ramp to Pohick Road in Springfield and hit a utility pole. Thankfully, both boys inside had only minor injuries.

It raises a question most families never think about: who pays when an unlicensed teen causes a crash in Virginia?

Our new guide breaks down how the vehicle owner's insurance, parents, and your own uninsured motorist coverage come into play, plus what to do if your child was the one hurt.

Read it here: https://www.hiltonsomer.com/teen-driver-accident-virginia/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=teen-driver-accident

Hurt in a crash caused by a teen driver? Call Hilton & Somer for a free consultation: (703) 420-1245

09/30/2026

Right now is the single most dangerous stretch of the year for deer on Virginia roads. Between one-half and two-thirds of all deer-vehicle collisions happen in October, November, and December.

Here is the part most drivers get wrong.

Virginia's wildlife agency says to never swerve. Fewer than two percent of vehicular injuries and deaths in Virginia involve a deer. What hurts people is the swerve, into oncoming traffic, a guardrail, or a tree.

There is also a legal reason that matters here specifically. Virginia is a contributory negligence state, so being found even 1% at fault can bar you from recovering anything. Hit the deer in your lane and it is a no-fault comprehensive claim. Cross the center line to avoid it and you are the driver who left their lane.

We also covered what Virginia law requires after you hit one, including the possession certificate almost nobody knows about, and who to call in Fairfax County.

https://www.hiltonsomer.com/hitting-a-deer-in-virginia/

Hilton & Somer, LLC has served Northern Virginia families since 1965. Questions? (703) 420-1245

Hitting a deer in Virginia peaks October through December. Why swerving can cost you your claim, and what to do after.

09/24/2026

Virginia is building something new, and most drivers have not heard about it yet.

A new act of the General Assembly directs VDOT to develop criteria for designating "vulnerable road user safety zones," areas with elevated rates of crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. The report is due to four legislative committee chairs by November 1.

The most concrete piece: VDOT has to identify the 25 highway segments in the Commonwealth with the worst record for pedestrian and cyclist crashes. For a state with tens of thousands of miles of road, that is a very short list, and Northern Virginia corridors are likely candidates.

There is also a clause directing VDOT to assess the fiscal implications of automated enforcement inside those zones. Virginia is not asking whether cameras might go there eventually. It is asking what they would cost and produce.

We wrote up what the act requires, who legally counts as a vulnerable road user (the definition is broader than most people think), and why a formal designation matters in a contributory negligence state.

https://www.hiltonsomer.com/vulnerable-road-user-zones/

Hilton & Somer, LLC has served Northern Virginia families since 1965. Questions? (703) 420-1245

Vulnerable road user zones are coming to Virginia. VDOT must report criteria by November 1. Here is what it means for drivers and pedestrians.

09/16/2026

It's been a tough few weeks for Fairfax County families. Four students hit by vehicles. One 13-year-old lost his life.

Today, the Board of Supervisors voted to restore crossing guard funding at 10 high schools. It's a start, but we all have a role in keeping our kids safe.

Parents: Walk the route with your child. Make them visible. Talk about distractions.

Drivers: Slow down in school zones. Watch for pedestrians everywhere. Put down your phone.

Our hearts go out to every family affected. Stay safe out there, Fairfax County.

🔗 hiltonsomer.com/back-to-school-safety-fairfax-county/
📞 (703) 420-1245

09/03/2026

Virginia's new AI traffic cameras went live on July 1, and with school back in session, school crossing zones are among the first places they are being deployed.

Here is what most drivers do not realize: these citations are civil penalties, so no points on your license and no insurance hit. But the footage they generate is a different story.

Virginia is a pure contributory negligence state. If you are found even 1% at fault in a crash, you can be barred from recovering anything. That makes objective video evidence unusually powerful here. A recording that shows the other driver ran a stop sign can decide your entire case.

The catch is that footage does not stay available forever. Localities are not required to hold it on the chance a claim shows up later.

We broke down where these systems can legally operate, how the new Intelligent Speed Assistance program creates a second data trail, and the exact steps to take after a crash at a monitored intersection.

Read it here: https://www.hiltonsomer.com/ai-traffic-cameras-in-virginia/

Questions about a recent accident? Call Hilton & Somer at (703) 420-1245. Serving Northern Virginia families since 1965.

08/27/2026

Fifty years. That is how long the City of Fairfax Fall Festival has been taking over Old Town, and the 2026 anniversary edition on Saturday, October 10 is going to be a big one. More than 400 vendors, three stages of live music, children's activities, b**r gardens, and free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And that is just one weekend. The season starts in September with the Fall Fun Fest at Reston Farm Garden Market, the Basset Hound Rescue Fall Festival on the 12th, and apple picking at Great Country Farms. October brings Vienna Oktoberfest on the 3rd, the Fall W**e Festival October 9 through 11, and Cox Farms running straight through November.

We put together a full guide to the season, including the dates worth marking and a few practical tips for parking, crowds, and keeping the day easy on everyone.

Read it here: https://www.hiltonsomer.com/fall-festivals-in-fairfax/

Hilton & Somer, LLC has served Northern Virginia families since 1965. Questions? Call (703) 560-0700.

07/07/2026

Welcome home, heroes. 🙌
Last night, Virginia Task Force 1 returned to Fairfax County after 10 days of rescue operations in earthquake-ravaged Venezuela. They pulled a mother and her 9-month-old baby from the rubble. They freed a father and son trapped for four days. They worked 186 continuous hours to save lives.
These first responders live and work right here in our community. They answer our 911 calls and represent the best of Northern Virginia.
Thank you, VA-TF1. Fairfax County is proud of you.
🔗 hiltonsomer.com/virginia-task-force-1-fairfax-county-venezuela-heroes/
📞 (703) 420-1245
🏡

06/10/2026

Sail250 is HERE! 🚢🇺🇸 60+ tall ships from 20 countries are in Virginia right now for America's 250th birthday. Road tripping from NoVA? Leave early, check VDOT 511 for traffic, pack snacks, and wear comfy shoes. This is a once-in-a-generation adventure! 📞 (703) 420-1245 | https://www.hiltonsomer.com/road-tripping-to-sail250-your-guide-to-a-safe-and-epic-summer-adventure/

05/09/2026

Festival season is HERE! 🎡 The 111th McLean Day kicks off May 15-16. Quick tips: check your car, use the free shuttle, wear comfy shoes, stay hydrated, and pick a meeting spot. Here's to a safe, fun summer! 📞 (703) 420-1245 |https://www.hiltonsomer.com/festival-season-is-here-your-guide-to-a-safe-and-fun-summer-in-fairfax-county/

04/20/2026

A 9-year-old boy with autism slipped out of his family's locked home in Manassas on April 13 and was struck and killed by a driver with no valid license. It was his third offense for driving without a license. He was released on a summons.No vehicular manslaughter charges. No jail time. A family left without their son.When the criminal justice system leaves families without answers, Virginia's personal injury laws give them another path. A wrongful death or pedestrian accident claim is entirely separate from criminal proceedings — and it can provide the financial support a family needs to heal.At Hilton & Somer, we have stood with Northern Virginia families for over 60 years. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.👉 https://www.hiltonsomer.com/pedestrian-accident-attorney-virginia-child-killed/
📞 (703) 560-0700