Posted on October 30, 2019 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Four individuals have sadly lost their lives in a motor vehicle collision in Virginia. The accident, which involved a car and a semi-truck, occurred on a Wednesday morning. Sometimes, these types of car accidents happen due to careless driving, which is grounds for litigation.

According to police, a semi-truck had stopped in the road for a school bus. All of a sudden, a car reportedly ran into the back of the bus. Four people in the car — two of them age 19, and the other two ages 23 and 24 — died in the wreck.

The individual who was driving the car at the time of the accident was from another state. Meanwhile, the other three individuals were from North Carolina. Authorities continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

The surviving loved ones of the passengers in the car may choose to file wrongful death claims against the car's driver, seeking the reimbursement of monetary damages sustained in the car accident. Although the driver of the car died in the accident, claims may be filed against this person's estate.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 21, 2019 in Car Accidents

It goes without saying that driving at excessive speeds can increase the chances of one being involved in a car accident in Manassas. The question is exactly how are excessive speeds determined. If you have been involved in a car accident where the issue of falt is at question, the driver suspected of causing it may point to the fact that they were not driving above the speed limit, and thus cannot be at fault. Many have come to us here at Locklin & Coleman, PLLC in a similar situation wondering how to combat such a claim. The answer lies in correctly interpreting the term "speed limit."

Far too many people view posted speed limits as the only authority in determining if one is driving too fast. Interestingly, the Virginia Department of Transportation states that the purpose of speed limits is twofold: to assist law enforcement officers in enforcing the law and to reduce wide variances in traffic speeds. You will notice how nowhere in that description does it say "to determine what is the safe speed at which to travel." That is because it is expected that motorists will use good judgment and not drive faster than is safe in the given conditions.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 12, 2019 in Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injuries, including broken bones and significant damage to internal organs. In fact, many car accident victims' injuries are obvious immediately, and may put a victim in a state of shock. However, some of the most damaging injuries a person can receive from a car accident may not be visible or otherwise obvious, such as head injuries.

Any significant blow to the head can produce a brain injury, but may not cause pain. If the victim does not feel any pain or see bleeding from a head injury, they may not remember hitting their head at all, because car accidents are confusing experiences that are not easy to remember clearly. If you experience a car accident, you should always receive a full medical examination from a medical professional as soon as possible, to help identify hidden injuries before they harm you.

Why is a brain injury so dangerous?

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 09, 2019 in Car Accidents

Pedestrians are at a high risk of injury or death if they are involved in a collision. Even at slower speeds, a crash can cause internal and external injuries that are difficult to recover from.

At certain speeds, there are some injuries that are more likely. For example, at 16 mph, a pedestrian has a 10% risk of a severe injuries. At 58 mph, there is a 90% chance of severe injuries. Age also plays a role, and those who are 70 have the same average risk of severe injury or death at 25 mph as a 30-year-old person would at 35 mph.

As a pedestrian, this information is important. Knowing that speed plays a role in the force you are struck with, you can make the choice to cross streets with lower speed limits, for example.

The type of vehicle that strikes you plays a role in injury

Besides speed, the risk of injury is higher when a pedestrian is hit by a light truck. The average risk of death a pedestrian faces when struck by a light truck is around the same as being struck by a car traveling around 4 mph faster.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 03, 2019 in Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen for many different reasons. In the vast majority of the cases, a driver's behavior behind the wheel is a leading contributor to accidents. That's why it's important for drivers to follow the rules and respect the rights of other drivers, as explained by The Balance.

Driver distractions are a major issue that impact drivers across the board. Texting while driving is the most often mentioned offender, and for good reason. This behavior diverts a driver's attention away from the road, which affects the ability to respond to unexpected road conditions. Other types of distractions can be just as dangerous, however. Eating while driving, talking to passengers, and adjusting the radio all prevent a driver from paying full attention.

Human error is also cited as a common cause of wrecks. While you often hear about accidents that occur due to some fault with a vehicle, it's far more likely for an accident to occur because of operator error. The chance of error increases exponentially when a person drinks and drives. Being drunk greatly impairs a person's ability to operate the vehicle and may also lead to risky behavior. Other substances can also cause problems while driving, even those that are prescribed by a doctor.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 13, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are hurt in many ways, from those who sustain an injury while attempting to cross the road to those who are struck by a drunk driver who went off the road. However, some pedestrians, such as young children, are especially vulnerable when it comes to the risk of being struck by a vehicle. Furthermore, there are many reasons why children can be particularly likely to find themselves in a pedestrian accident. Not only do many children spend a considerable amount of time near traffic while playing with their friends or walking to school, but some may be involved in extracurricular activities which can increase the risk of such an accident.

There are numerous ways in which extracurricular activities can lead to pedestrian accidents. For example, someone may be part of their school's track team, and they decide to run alongside the road. They could cross at an interesection without looking. Even when they are safe and responsible, an increased amount of time running alongside traffic could heighten the chances of something going wrong.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 06, 2019 in Truck Accidents

Virginia highways often feature large semi-trucks tasked with hauling goods and other supplies all over the country. While these trucks are essential from a commerce perspective, they can also be quite intimidating to share the road with. This has much to do with the anatomy of a semi-truck, which is quite different than that of your average passenger vehicle. Popular Mechanics offers a few surprising facts about semis and how they function.

An 18-wheeler is capable of transporting up to 80,000 pounds. This massive load requires quite a bit of power to transport, which is why truck engines are so impressive. For instance, some big rig engines actually weigh more than small passenger vehicles, such as Mini Coopers. One particular engine weighs 2,880 pounds, which is 345 lbs heavier than these sprightly vehicles. An engine of this size is capable of generating 560 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque, which enables the truck to haul a huge amount of cargo.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 21, 2019 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

With a new school year right around the corner, many parents in Virginia will be putting the safety of their children into the hands of school bus drivers. That's why school bus safety is so important, and it's the duty of bus drivers as well as other motorists to keep kids as safe as possible when on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following information on proper safety procedures.

The good news is kids are very safe on school buses thanks to heavy safety regulations. The design of school buses makes them highly visible to other drivers, which prevents collisions. The interior of the bus is also designed to prevent injury in the event of an accident. For instance, protective seats cushion kids, while the frame of the bus can withstand impacts and rollovers without sustaining serious damage. Despite these safety features, most school buses are without seat belts.

Safety at bus stops is also important in keeping kids safe. While buses are equipped with devices that alert other drivers to students getting on and off, parents should still assist kids in the proper procedures. For instance, kids should wait far away enough from the curb and only board the bus when it's completely stopped and the driver gives the all-clear. When kids are getting off the bus, they should always walk around the front in an orderly fashion.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 09, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

Distractions aren't only dangerous when behind the wheel. Many pedestrians partake in distracted walking, which can be just as harmful to a person's health and well-being. Texting while walking, talking with friends, listening to music, and even eating while walking can all increase a pedestrian's risk of being struck by a vehicle while out and about.

One study polled 2,500 participants all over the country on their opinions about walking while distracted. There was a surprising disparity between people's opinions of distracted walking and their participation in the same behavior. For example, 90% of those polled claimed to have seen people talking on a mobile phone while walking. However, only 37% of these people admit to partaking in this behavior. Views of distracted walking also vary, with some categorizing it as embarrassing or humorous, while others believe it to be dangerous.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 07, 2019 in Personal Injury

When you're involved in an accident, it's important to document it well. Documenting an accident gives you the information you need for the insurance company and allows you to keep records to refresh your memory later on.

After an accident, lots of things will happen, and it's easy to begin forgetting the finer details that you need to remember to make the best claim. Fortunately, there are some good tips you can follow to help yourself remember the details you need and to keep good documentation.

1. Write down everything you remember as soon as possible

From the color of the cars involved to the number of witnesses standing nearby, it's a good idea to begin writing down everything you remember as soon as you can. If you're unable to write due to your injuries, tell someone else the details and have them record them.

Continue Reading ››