Posted on July 26, 2019 in Car Accidents

Car seats protect your kids when driving in vehicles, which is why they're a mandatory accessory. Choosing the right car seat can be a bit more difficult than one might think, especially if it's your first time buying one. That's why Parents Magazine offers the following tips to new parents who might have questions about how to best protect their kids in the first place.

When your baby is an infant, there are generally two car seats that are acceptable. Infant-only seats double as carriers, which makes them convenient for parents. Convertible car seats are another option. Unlike infant-only seats, these are not portable. However, they're convenient in other ways. For instance, a convertible seat can be situated rear or forward-facing. Rear-facing seats are used for infants, while forward-facing seats are useful for older babies.

It's recommended that toddlers are placed in forward-facing seats at all times. Conventional toddler seats are usually good until a child reaches about 65 pounds. At this point, most kids transition to a booster seat that is used in conjunction with the seatbelt. You can also opt for a combination seat. With this car seat, you have forward-facing capability combined with a booster seat ideal for kids larger than 65 pounds. The booster/belt combination is typically used until a child is about 3 or 4 years old.

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 Posted on July 19, 2019 in Car Accidents

You may have heard the statistics related to the fact that most car accidents occur close to home, but do you know why? Part of the reason is because people relax when they know and drive in an area frequently, and may not pay as much attention to their surroundings. Another reason is because neighborhoods have people backing out of driveways, kids playing in the streets and narrow roadways due to cars parking on the street.

While collisions close to home are common, there are actually two other places where the risks of being involved in a crash are also high: parking lots and on your daily commute.

Parking lot hazards can contribute to crashes

Parking lots are dangerous for a few reasons. First, two cars may begin backing out at the same time, and the drivers may fail to see one another. Second, larger vehicles may impair the vision of drivers trying to pull out into the aisle. If the driver in the aisle isn't paying attention or is too close, a crash may occur.

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 Posted on July 16, 2019 in Motorcycle Accidents

Riding a motorcycle is no doubt a thrilling experience. However, riders face a myriad of risks on the road, especially when they lack experience. Geico explains the safety steps you must take when operating a motorcycle, which might prevent a serious accident from occurring.

Wear the right gear

You should wear a helmet even if it's not mandatory according to the laws where you live. When choosing a helmet, pick one that offers the most protection. This should include a face shield, which protects you against flying debris. In terms of clothing, opt for long sleeves and pants made from rugged materials that will hold up in the event of a crash. Good boots are also important, especially those with ample ankle support.

Make defensive driving a constant

Defensive driving is a group of behaviors that allow you to remain alert and aware of any potential hazards. Steer clear of other vehicle's blind spots, as drivers of passenger vehicles have a hard time recognizing motorcyclists on the road. In the same token, keep your headlights on at all times, as this can increase awareness of your presence. When changing lanes or turning, signal every time well before you plan on making the intended maneuver. Also, don't automatically assume other drivers can see you, even if you have the right of way.

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 Posted on June 24, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents occur in many different situations, whether someone is very familiar with a particular route and they are injured while walking to work or a pedestrian is struck while performing their job duties. In other instances, a pedestrian may be less familiar with the roads, such as those who are on vacation, and this can be especially dangerous. Sadly, many pedestrian lives have been lost due to unfamiliarity with the roads, which can be especially concerning when they encounter reckless drivers (such as drunk or speeding drivers).

If you are planning a vacation, it is important to be mindful of any traffic-related hazards if you plan on driving or even walking. Many people walk while they are traveling, whether they want to experience a new area, or they do not have access to a vehicle. Sadly, they may not have any familiarity with various risk factors that are present in certain locations, and the risk of a pedestrian accident may be much higher. Some of these accidents have proven fatal, while others have shattered trips and resulted in massive injuries.

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 Posted on June 20, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

It's crucial for Virginia drivers to respect the presence of pedestrians when out and about. However, pedestrians must also do their part to remain safe, or they risk being involved in a serious and potentially life-threatening accident. These tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration illustrate what you can do to keep yourself and others safe and sound this summer.

When walking with children, make sure they understand the importance of proper pedestrian behavior. Kids often behave unpredictably when walking. Weaving between parked cars and forgoing crosswalks means they will be less visible to vehicles driving in the same area. Until your children are old enough to walk along streets on their own, make sure you supervise their behavior. You should also strive to set a good example at all times.

You can do this by remaining alert to surrounding traffic. Never use a mobile device while walking, especially when you're close to the street. Mobile devices are a distraction, and much like when driving the use of such a device while walking can easily lead to a collision. Keep your eyes and ears open, especially at night when it can be tough to see an oncoming vehicle until it's too late.

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 Posted on June 12, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

When walking in Manassas, you might think it easy to avoid danger: just stay off the road. The area does indeed have several miles of sidewalks on which you can walk. However, pedestrians must also be aware of bicyclists. A collision with a bicyclist can be almost as devastating as one with a car. There can be dangers to both pedestrians and bicyclists when they are not aware of each other.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, bicycles can be ridden on the sidewalk in the Commonwealth unless prohibited by local ordinance. No such laws or policies exist in Manassas or Prince William County. Thus, a bicyclist has as much right to be on the sidewalk as you do as a pedestrian.

The Virginia DOT does go on to say, however, that bicyclists are expected to observe certain safety standards when riding on the sidewalk. When approaching pedestrians on the sidewalk, a bicyclist is expected to slow down and notify pedestrians of their approach by using a bell or stating that they are coming on either your left or your right. Bicyclists should not retain their same speed or begin to speed up again until the pedestrian has moved over. More information on safely sharing the sidewalk with bicycles can be found throughout our site.

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 Posted on May 17, 2019 in Car Accidents

A string of recent road rage incidents in Virginia seem to be connected and may be committed by the same person. These incidents have become increasingly more violent throughout the country and the latest situation involved a young mother and her nine-week-old infant.

According to WTKR3, the male driver of the other vehicle approached the passenger side of her car after brake-checking her and zooming around her. The man requested that she roll down her window and then tried to open the door when she refused. The woman feared for her safety and that of her child and felt the behavior was threatening. She first noticed him when he seemed to be driving close to her rear bumper near an intersection.

Three additional women have reported to law enforcement that they have been engaged in different road rage incidents with who they believe is the same man. Law enforcement encourages drivers to remain in their cars and call police as quickly as possible. They believe the man is targeting women and he often gets out of his car and approaches the other vehicle while cursing loudly.

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 Posted on May 06, 2019 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Even after the sun sets in Virginia, thousands of cars, trucks and motorcycles fill the roads. Whether people are coming home from work or heading out for a night on the town, they are still using the roadways to get where they need to go. According to the National Safety Council, people are three times more likely to get into a fatal car accident when driving at night than they are during daylight hours. So, what causes this increased accident rate and what can people do to avoid becoming involved in a catastrophic collision?

A lack of natural light can make driving more difficult. Although the streets may be illuminated with street lights and headlights, the eyes do not operate as well under these conditions. When making a turn out into traffic, it is harder to judge the distance and speed of an oncoming vehicle when it is dark. The lack of light also affects drivers' peripheral vision. It is best to wait until no cars are coming before turning out into traffic.

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 Posted on April 26, 2019 in Car Accidents

Rear-end collisions happen every day. Drivers may not be focused on the road ahead of them, could fall asleep behind the wheel, might look away at an outside distraction or may be focused on texts. No matter what they were doing, failing to focus can easily lead to a rear-end crash.

A rear-end collision is not impossible to avoid. While you can't control the actions of other drivers, you can look for signs that they're not being safe so that you can get out of the way.

1. Look for texting

The first thing you might notice when you're driving alongside someone or when they're behind you is that they're looking away from the road. Check your rearview mirror. If the other driver isn't looking up, they're not going to see what you're doing.

To avoid a crash, slow down over a longer period of time than normal. If they aren't looking up, move to another lane or to the shoulder before making a turn, because it's better to be safe than to have them hit you without ever looking up.

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 Posted on April 23, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

For some reason, "walking down the street" has been identified as an innocuous scenario. For example, many in Manassas may use it when justifying certain activities, saying that you can just as easily be injured "walking down the street." This phrase affords little appreciation to just how dangerous walking down the street can be, particularly in those scenarios where you (as a pedestrian) may be forced to share the road with vehicles.

When walking, the sidewalk is typically your domain. Vehicles do not drive on it, and you (in turn) avoid walking in the road. Yet there may be times when walking along the roadway is required, such as when no sidewalks are available or those that are may be inaccessible (either due to damage or construction work). The question then becomes how can you safely walk on the road while not interfering with traffic.

According to Section 46.2-928 of the Code of Virginia, if you are forced to walk on the main traveled portion of the highway, you are to remain entirely within the shoulder of the road where the shoulder has sufficient enough space to permit. If there is no shoulder, then you must remain to the extreme left (up to the edge) of the roadway so as to allow vehicles to pass unencumbered.

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