Some traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have lasting effects on accident victims. Along with physical issues that result from brain trauma, a person may also experience emotional and cognitive impairments. This makes for a difficult recovery, especially when injuries are severe. The Mayo Clinic explains the effects of TBI and the different treatment options that are currently available.
How does someone recover from a traumatic brain injury?
Three steps to take after a car wreck
Imagine driving across Manassas from your house to your office. Traffic is light and you are running ahead of schedule, which means there is no need to rush. Unfortunately, not everyone is off to such a good start.
As you enter an intersection on a green light, another car suddenly hits you on the passenger side of your vehicle. Now, not only are you going to miss work, but your car has sustained substantial damages and you're beginning to experience pain in various places.
Dealing with hazardous driving conditions as a commercial driver
When you work for a commercial motor carrier in Northern Virginia, you know that the pressure of pleasing your customers is ever-present. This is especially true when you transport passengers. While you want to ensure that you get passengers to their destination on time, every time, their safety must come first. Many come to us here at The Law Offices of Locklin and Coleman PLLC wondering at what point safety concerns override the desire to get customers to their destination on time. Some might say that is a judgment call, yet federal law refutes that.
Section 392.14 of the Code of Federal Regulations mandates that extreme caution should be used when operating commercial vehicles in hazardous conditions that can impede either traction or visibility. Specific hazards cited by the Federal Regulations include:
- Snow
- Rain
- Sleet
- Fog or mist
- Dust
- Smoke
How to recognize the signs of an aggressive driver
As a Virginia motorist, it is important that you drive cautiously and remain on the lookout for aggressive drivers. At any given time of the day, you may come into contact with motorists who have road rage, as they are rushing to get to an appointment or have just had a bad day. In fact, aggressive driving is involved in at least 56 percent of fatal accidents in the United States, according to AAA. Furthermore, at least 80 percent of American motorists admit to driving in an aggressive manner. It is critical that you are able to recognize these aggressive driving behaviors so that you may avoid becoming involved in a catastrophic accident.
Virginia law enforcement officers report that congested driving patterns can contribute to road rage. These behaviors include the following:
- Yelling at other drivers
- Horn honking or using profane hand gestures
- Speeding
- Constant lane changing between other vehicles
- Tailgating
- Cutting off other vehicles
Recognizing Kevin Locklin's 2018 Achievements
As we start 2019, the staff and attorneys of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC would like to take this time to congratulate our senior partner, Kevin L. Locklin, for being recognized in 2018:
Church struck by tractor-trailer
When truck accidents occur in Manassas, the first question that many may ask is who should be held liable: the truck driver or the truck company that employs? On the surface, it may seem that since the truck driver's actions directly contributed to a truck accident, they are the only one that can be held responsible. At the same time, an argument may be made that without the need to fulfill the obligations of their job, the trucker would never have been in a position to cause the accident in the first place.
The legal principle of respondeat superior holds employers liable for the actions of their employees. For this principle to apply, however, it must be shown that the employee was acting within the scope of their employment when the accident occurred. Whether or not that was the case in a recent accident that occurred in Chatham, Virginia was not reported. The truck driver involved was charged after his tractor-trailer left the road, struck several parked cars in a church parking lot, and finally ran into the church itself. Thankfully, only the driver was injured in the collision (and his injuries were reported to be minor). Yet major damage was done to the church. The company whose truck was involved in the accident has reportedly reached out to the church offering its assistance.
Technology could be making you a bad driver
As the world continues to change and technology becomes ever more prominent, it will continue to be part of drivers' lives. Unfortunately, technology does have the potential to damage your ability to drive safely and accurately.
Did you know that technology used in vehicles can make drivers overconfident? That's right. Someone who knows that their vehicle will automatically brake if they get too close to another vehicle is less likely to pay attention than those without the technology on board. Drivers with lane warnings are less likely to look to the side to check for traffic.
Are truck drivers being compelled to speed?
Everyone has deadlines that they have to meet in their lives, and often those deadlines can be a source of stress. Many of yours may arise from your work, and the thought that your employment status could depend on meeting them may prompt you to hurry through tasks in order to get projects submitted. Imagine if your work involved driving along Manassas' roads. Once you have envisioned this, it may be easier to understand why professional drivers (including truck drivers) may be apt to speed.
If you have been involved in a truck accident in which you know the trucker was speeding, it may be easy to say that they were simply being negligent and had no regard for your safety (nor that of the others on the road). Yet (while not excusing their actions) if it were revealed that they were hurrying in order to fulfill a route on time, your stance may soften. It may be reasonable to expect motor carriers to want their deliveries to be made on time (given the need to keep their clients happy), and to even encourage their drivers to do what they can to ensure that happens. It is when the expectation is set that drivers need to exceed speed limits in order to meet delivery times that a motor carrier invites liability.
Locklin & Coleman Recognized As a Top Personal Injury Firm
We are proud to announce that Locklin & Coleman has been ranked as a Tier 1 Personal Injury - Plaintiffs law firm in the Washington, D.C. region by U.S. News & World Report.
What shouldn't I wear when riding a motorcycle?
Most motorcyclists in Virginia are aware of the important gear to wear when riding, which is essential when it comes to personal safety. However, did you know that certain items of clothing should not be worn to ensure a safe and secure experience? Business Insider explains to motorcyclists and their passengers which items should never be worn when on the road.
Open-toed shoes
