Posted on July 01, 2020 in Pedestrian Accidents

Just in time for summer, three new Virginia traffic laws went into effect July 1, 2020. These laws increase the penalties for a few traffic violations and make the roads safer for vulnerable road users.

Virginia drivers should understand these new responsibilities before hitting the roads this summer. Without knowing how these new laws work, residents could incur some stiff fines or even spend time in jail.

Three new laws for summer motorists

Virginia's General Assembly passed three new bills just in time for summer. The weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are notoriously dangerous for Virginia drivers. People often refer to this period as the "100 Deadliest Days." Legislators hope these new laws curb the number of fatal accidents that occur through July and August by protecting vulnerable pedestrians:

• Protection of Bicyclists and Other Vulnerable Road Users: Senate Bill 437 tackles distracted driving by introducing an increased penalty for collisions with pedestrians. If a driver causes serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user because of careless or distracted driving, they may incur a Class 1 misdemeanor charge. In Virginia, a Class 1 misdemeanor could result in 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

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 Posted on June 26, 2020 in Firm News

Driving while distracted is one of the deadliest modern roadway offenses. According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control, at least nine people are killed and approximately 1,000 are injured every day in an accident with a distracted driver.

Teens are particularly at risk for distracted driving. The combination of inexperience and temptation from peers and technology creates a dangerous potential for accidents.

Have the talk about distracted driving early and frequently to reduce the chances that they will become a statistic.

Distracted driving falls into three main categories:

1. Not fully watching the road ahead
2. Not keeping your hands on the wheel
3. Becoming mentally distracted while driving

All three of these involve cellphone usage. However, it doesn't take sending a text message, checking social media or making a phone call to create a danger. Other scenarios where distracted driving is a problem can include:

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 Posted on June 22, 2020 in Firm News

Most highways have the standard three or four lanes. However, in some states, like Virginia, the highways have a High Occupancy Vehicle System (HOV) lane. If you are not familiar with this term or type of lane system, it can be challenging to understand when you can and cannot use such lanes.

Smoothing out the rules of an HOV lane

HOV lanes are for drivers with two or more passengers and commuters that participate in rideshare. Drivers utilize the lanes throughout the day. By using the HOV lanes they are helping traffic move more smoothly and reduce congestion.

Drivers who do not have two or more passengers cannot use the HOV lanes during specific restricted times. Even motorcyclists can travel in these lanes during specific times.

HOV lanes are often in the far left lane, have a white diamond shape on them, and barriers mark the entrance and exit. Also, above each entry and exit, a highway sign will state time restrictions and when they are in effect to help drivers navigate smoothly.

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 Posted on June 21, 2020 in Car Accidents

Almost 1.7 million vehicles in Virginia failed their safety test in 2018 — that is one in every five. The Keep Virginia Roads Safe campaign is fighting proposals from some Virginia lawmakers to do away with or reduce the frequency of vehicle safety inspections.

When so many people who have been injured, or lost loved ones in car crashes, allowing unsafe vehicles onto the roads does not seem to make sense, although those behind the plan argued there was no evidence to prove that vehicle inspections reduced accidents.

If you get in your car and take it out onto Virginia's roads you have a responsibility to do so safely. So does every other driver out there. When was the last time you crawled under you car or looked under the hood? Do you know, without going out and checking, how much tread is left on your tires? For many of you reading this, the answer is going to be no to all those questions. As cars have become more complicated to fix, and more reliable to run, people are less involved with their cars than they were 30 years ago.

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 Posted on June 17, 2020 in Car Accidents

In the aftermath of a crash, you probably have a lot to think about. How will you get to work with a damaged vehicle? How much will it cost to repair, and will your car insurance cover the cost? Have you reported your accident to the authorities? Did you get the contact information of the other driver?

With so much to consider, it is easy for many people to ignore their health, especially if their injuries do not appear serious. However, there are many reasons to get medical help as soon as possible.

1. Your injuries could be more severe than they appear.

While injuries like cuts can appear immediately, some do not cause symptoms until long after the initial accident occurred. Traumatic brain injuries, for example, may go undetected for days or weeks before symptoms begin, but even a mild injury requires immediate medical attention according to the Mayo Clinic.

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 Posted on June 11, 2020 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

On March 24, Governor Ralph Northam issued stay at home orders for the state of Virginia to help curb the spread of coronavirus. With fewer people traveling for work, Virginia's roads carry much less traffic. For many drivers across the region, this presents a dangerous opportunity.

Many states, including Virginia, have seen an uptick in fatal crashes, despite fewer cars on the road. Joyriders and speed enthusiasts are bucking safety standards for a quick thrill - and Virginia residents are paying with their lives.

A country-wide trend

On May 3, 2020, Virginia police cited eight drivers for speeding violations, all exceeding 100 mph. Troopers clocked one driver traveling 132 mph on I-95 - fully twice that of the posted speed limit. In the period between March 13 and April 22, 47% of all fatalities were in crashes where speeding was a factor. This figure represents a nearly 10% increase despite a 50% drop in traffic.

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 Posted on June 11, 2020 in Firm News

Most highways have the standard three or four lanes. However, in some states, like Virginia, the highways have a High Occupancy Vehicle System (HOV) lane.

If you are not familiar with this term or type of lane system, it can be challenging to understand when you can and cannot use such lane systems.

Smoothing out the rules of an HOV lane

HOV lanes are for drivers with two or more passengers and commuters that participate in rideshare. Drivers utilize the lanes throughout the day. By using the HOV lanes they are helping traffic move more smoothly and reduce congestion.

For drivers who do not have two or more passengers, they cannot use the HOV lanes during specific restricted times. Even motorcyclists can travel in these lanes during specific times.

HOV lanes are often in the far left lane, have a white diamond shape on them, and barriers mark the entrance and exit. Also, above each entry and exit, a highway sign will state time restrictions and when they are in effect to help drivers navigate smoothly.

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 Posted on June 05, 2020 in Firm News

Slugging is an interesting term that describes a trendy and unique way residents commute to work in Washington, DC, and Virginia.

Slugging is free and, in a way, like carpooling, except it's with strangers. While it sounds odd and a little scary, slugging has been around since 1975. Over the years, it has advanced into a well-organized not-for-profit ridesharing community.

The way slugging work is a driver pulls up to a designated "slugging" stop and picks up additional passengers. These additional passengers help the driver meet the 2-3 passenger requirements, to use the various high occupancy vehicle (HOV), and designated carpool lanes.

While a corporation does not govern slugging, this type of commuting does come with its own rules that help keep drivers and passengers safe.

Here are the top eight rules:

• No talking – Talking is highly not recommended. If the driver initiates a conversation, the slug can talk and continue the conversation.

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 Posted on June 03, 2020 in Pedestrian Accidents

Drivers in the U.S. are often concerned about roadway statistics, as this creates awareness for risks to keep their focus on. With regards to traffic fatalities occurring in 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 2.4% drop in the rate. That year was the second straight year that the rate fell. The NHTSA attributed this drop to technology used in newer vehicles specifically to prevent crashes.

This downward trend was seen continuing into 2019, with a decrease in fatalities by 3.4%. While this is a promising statistic, a decrease was not seen in all types of fatalities. For pedestrian deaths in motor vehicle collisions, the rate rose by 3.4%. Deaths also rose 6.3% for bicycle accidents and 1% for large truck crashes. With regards to pedestrian deaths, there were a reported 6,283 deaths, which was the highest total in 28 years. In fact, since 2009, the rate has risen roughly 53%.

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 Posted on June 03, 2020 in Car Accidents

Self-driving cars are a reality in many regions in the country. In Summer 2019, Virginia hosted LM Industries as a testing ground for automated automobiles. For many, a future of completely self-driving vehicles is within reach, but some safety concerns might set the industry back.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a study on self-driving cars. The researchers discovered that self-driving vehicles might not be as safe as necessary.

IIHS compared crash data to preventative capabilities

In nearly all car crashes, driver error plays a role. Car manufacturers push the idea that the technology in automated vehicles eliminates these errors to make roads safer. As companies ramp up testing of these cars, independent research becomes necessary.

The IIHS study examined data from over 5,000 vehicle crashes around the country. The research team sorted the mistakes that led to the crashes into five categories:

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