Posted on February 01, 2021 in Car Accidents

Distracted driving is a major problem on the roads, and it's gotten worse ever since smartphones became commonplace. To combat the problem, Virginia now officially forbids the use of handheld devices while drivers are behind the wheel.

Read on to learn how recent changes in the laws might affect you.

The evolution of an effort to get distracted driving under control

Texting while driving has been illegal in Virginia since 2013 - but it was never a primary offense and always virtually impossible to enforce. Officers couldn't stop someone solely for having their phone in their hand, and there was really no way for anyone to tell if a driver was texting just by looking at them.

As of Jan. 1, however, drivers with phones in their hands can be pulled over and ticketed - whether they were texting, talking, looking at directions, scrolling through social media or just holding the device. First-time offenders get a $125 fine, while repeat offenders will be fined $250.

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 Posted on January 22, 2021 in Car Accidents

Not that long ago, police officers and the reports they authored were often the only documentation of major car crashes. Mistakes, misinterpreted data and oversight in official police reports may have meant that someone who caused the crash walked away without consequences or that someone hurt in the collision lost out on compensation they should have received.

Thankfully, those who get into major crashes are no longer dependent on the police to document the scene of the crash. While the police reports still remain one of the most authoritative forms of evidence after a crash, you also have a powerful tool to document the scene of the collision and your personal experience.

Your mobile phone can be a critical tool in the moments immediately after a car wreck.

Use a combination of photos and video to show what really happened

It can be hard to convey the layout of the crash itself or the scale of the damage to your vehicle in words alone. Even pictures can fall short. Taking numerous pictures from multiple angles and also a video where you circle the scene of the crash can be an ideal way to thoroughly document exactly what occurred.

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 Posted on January 18, 2021 in Pedestrian Accidents

Around 20% of all deaths to children under 15 years old are due to vehicles hitting them when they are out on foot. The chances of a child surviving a pedestrian accident are particularly slim. When they do survive, they are likely to suffer severe injury.

Why are young children so vulnerable to pedestrian accidents?

There are various reasons why children are more susceptible to a pedestrian accident than adults:

• They are more likely to be playing out on the street
• They are more likely to be walking, skating or riding their bike than adults because they cannot drive
• They can quickly get over-excited and forget where they are
• They do not have the same ability to assess risk
• They are smaller, so the car is more likely to impact their head or vital organs
• Their bodies are more fragile

What can you do as a parent to help your child be a safe pedestrian?

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 Posted on January 14, 2021 in Motorcycle Accidents

When most people think of motorcycles, they envision the exhilaration of the ride. They seldom stop to think about the dangers associated with riding a motorbike on the open road.

Various factors, including the type of motorcycle that someone purchases, can affect a rider's injury or fatality risk.

Dangers associated with large motorcycles

Larger motorcycles tend to have wider frames and thus can be challenging to mount. It can be difficult for a rider who lacks upper body strength to maneuver a large bike safely.

Motorcyclists who try to operate motorbikes that are too tall for them may also find it difficult to brake on demand. A rider may also be unable to stand flat-footed on the ground and balance their bike if the motorcycle is too tall.

Problems with touring and cruising motorcycles

Touring and cruising motorcycles are often talked about interchangeably, although there's a difference between the two. It's commonplace for cruising bikes to have low-lying seats. While touring motorcycles also have these, they tend to weigh a bit more than cruising bikes, a factor that can easily crush a motorcyclist in an accident.

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 Posted on January 11, 2021 in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes are dangerous because of the impacts on the riders, but there are also other risks. One of those risks is the possibility of being burned. The force of a crash may lead to leaks, sparks, explosions and fires.

On top of that, there is a great risk of being burned on the exhaust pipe. A rider may normally avoid that burn by wearing the right clothing and sitting correctly on the motorcycle, but in a collision, the force may push the hot parts of the motorcycle onto the rider. There are cases where people have suffered serious third-degree burns just from the exhaust pipe.

Why do motorcyclists have such a high risk of burns in a crash?

The risk of being burned comes down to a few factors, such as if the motorcycle catches on fire, if the vehicle falls onto the victim, what the motorcyclist was wearing at the time of the collision and if any hazardous materials were involved in the crash.

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 Posted on January 04, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Winter in Virginia can bring miserable weather and plenty of precipitation. Even if the rain and sleet don't turn to snow or freeze on the road surfaces, wet and slick pavement can still be quite dangerous for drivers.

For most drivers, the biggest risk will be increased stopping distance due to slick surfaces and loss of traction, although it may be possible at high speeds for drivers to lose control of their vehicle when the road is slippery.

There is another risk that could results in multi-vehicle crashes, especially on freeways and interstates. A large tractor-trailer traveling in inclement weather can potentially cause a crash that blocks all lanes of traffic and involve multiple other vehicles. Slippery roads can lead to jackknife accidents that can affect many other people's lives.

What happens when a truck jackknives?

In a jackknife incident, the trailer of a commercial truck no longer fully aligns with the cab. Many times, these two parts of the vehicle will make the shape of a "v" or an "L" during a jackknife incident. The truck driver effectively loses control of the vehicle because of the two parts of the vehicle exerting momentum in different directions.

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 Posted on December 24, 2020 in Car Accidents

The idea behind lane sensor systems is simple: The car can tell when it is drifting out of the lane, meaning it could be entering oncoming traffic, a nearby traffic lane or just driving off the shoulder. To prevent accidents, it alerts the driver to this issue, and the driver can then correct their course.

The target drivers for these devices are clearly those who are distracted or impaired. If someone is paying attention, they should be able to stay in their lane all of the time. It's when they're looking away or their mind is wandering that they could inadvertently leave the lane and crash. If a sensor can grab their attention before the happens, it prevents an accident and saves lives.

No simple answers

You can see from the above that sensors can and do save lives through accident prevention. This is why they're in use on most modern cars. But are there also risks?

Some have argued that technology turns people into complacent drivers who expect the car itself to keep them safe. This makes them worse drivers. If they think they can look down and write an entire text message, counting on the lane sensor to tell them if they start drifting off the road, they're taking a dangerous risk. What if the sensor doesn't work? What if there's a glitch? Is being dependent on technology actually good for driving?

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 Posted on December 23, 2020 in Pedestrian Accidents

If you're a runner and you're looking for ways to stay safe, you know that one of the greatest risks you face is running at night. Drivers just tend not to see you. You may have the "cross" signal at an intersection, but just stepping out into the street could result in being struck by a turning vehicle.

Reflective vests can work, but the issue is that they need lights to be pointed at them in order to reflect that light. A driver who is turning is not pointing the lights at you until the last second. If you've thought about adding an LED vest into your safety gear but you're not sure about how well they work.

Here's what you should know:

Flashing lights are best for safety

These vests absolutely can help. LED lights are long-lasting and do not add much weight as you go for a run. They stand out in the dark, even when headlights are not pointed in your direction. This is an easy way to make sure that drivers see you before they turn.

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 Posted on December 21, 2020 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Truck drivers have a big job, and they have to be cautious about how they handle their rigs at all times. When a truck driver loses control, there is a risk that the trailer could jackknife. If no one is in the way, there is a possibility that the driver could get the vehicle back under control. However, the large trailer is more likely to swing across several lanes and into traffic — and that can lead to serious accidents.

What should truck drivers do to avoid jackknifing?

While it may not always be 100% possible to avoid a problem with a truck, jackknifing is preventable. Drivers should remember the following:

• To avoid jackknifing, truck drivers should always do their best to carry a heavier load. Underweight trailers are more likely to swing out. Those loads must also be properly secured and balanced so that they do not suddenly shift as a driver moves around a bend.

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 Posted on December 18, 2020 in Car Accidents

Virginia is a beautiful state, with plenty of rolling hills and gorgeous scenery — but it's got a lot of snow and ice in the winter. That can make driving particularly treacherous, especially when you may be doing it in the dark.

What can you do to make winter driving safer?

You can't do anything about the weather, but you can make sure you're ready to handle it. With that in mind, follow these tips:

• Get your car checked for any issues. You need to make sure your tires are in good shape, your brakes are working properly, your lights and blinkers are operational and you have a snow-scraper and de-icer on hand.
• Build extra time into your schedule. During the summer months, you may head out the door every day at the last minute, coffee in hand. In winter, rushing can be dangerous. Start adding extra time into your schedule so you're never forced to hurry on bad roads.
• Clear your car before you drive. Building that extra time into your routine can also make it easier to clear the snow off your car before you drive away. Driving around with a pile of snow on your roof can lead to an accident if it suddenly falls down over your windshield.

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