Posted on January 15, 2019 in Firm News

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.

The rankings are based on several criteria, including client feedback and peer review, and it is an honor to be included among the best law firms in the Washington, D.C. area.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients for their trust in us. We look forward to building on our track record of success and continuing our commitment to you.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 09, 2019 in Motorcycle Accidents

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

The right footwear on a motorcycle is almost as important as wearing a quality helmet. Riders should wear sturdy boots with proper ankle support, which helps when maneuvering. Open-toed shoes should never be worn, as this can lead to a serious foot injury. Sneakers should also be avoided, as they lack the proper amount of protection.

Dark clothing

Drivers of passenger vehicles can easily miss the presence of motorcycles on the road. This becomes even more of an issue when the motorcyclist is wearing all black, especially at night. To increase your chances of being seen, make sure you wear a brightly colored item or even clothing with reflective materials.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 27, 2018 in Car Accidents

While multi-tasking is touted as a desirable skill, it can be deadly when behind the wheel. For instance, distracted driving behaviors reduce your ability to operate a vehicle, which can lead to serious accidents and injuries. Geico offers the following tips in this case, which will help you identify bad driving behaviors and correct them.

Don't eat and drive

Eating and driving is a common type of distracted behavior. Many people resort to eating behind the wheel due to lack of time, high volumes of traffic, or short lunch breaks. If you find yourself often eating breakfast on your way to work or school, consider waking up earlier so you can eat at home. If your lunch break is too short, pack food at home and bring it to work.

Only use your mobile phone for emergencies

When in your vehicle, it's best to have your mobile phone turned off and stored away. If you must use it, your best option is to pull over or park and make your call or text from a safe position. Also, don't be fooled into thinking that hands-free devices are a safer alternative. Even the act of carrying on a conversation can distract you from the road.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 20, 2018 in Car Accidents

Lane sensors were designed to be helpful. The technology is supposed to let a driver know when they're drifting into another lane to avoid crossing into another driver's path.

Unfortunately, the sensors are not perfect. The alerts may go off, but if a driver is already distracted, there may not be enough time to correct. Similarly, this technology makes it easier for a driver to not pay attention in the first place.

Technology creates a paradox

Technology has a way of making lives better, but it can also cause problems. No one can claim that having lane sensors doesn't save lives. They do save lives every day. However, they're also doing a driver's work for them, and that can turn people into bad drivers.

How does technology create a bad driver?

Technology creates a bad driver because they may rely on the automatic functions. The more you use this technology, the less likely you'll be to rely on your own senses. Your skills are trained over time, so if you feel that a sensor isn't working correctly or that it's always delayed, you should, of course, rely on your own experience and adjust your vehicle.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 12, 2018 in Pedestrian Accidents

As a Virginia driver, you likely know how important it is to drive safely in school zones. While it's important to preserve the safety of all pedestrians, you must take special caution when driving around children, who often behave unpredictably. Edmunds recommends the following tips in this case, to ensure kids in school zones remain safe and secure.

Obey the speed limit

A reasonable speed is the best way to protect pedestrians. School zones often have decreased speeds and it's crucial that you obey these laws. This is because the risk of a fatality is much lower when driving at decreased rates of speed, such as 20 mph. When driving this speed, it takes 69 feet to come to a full stop. When driving just 10 mph faster, the distance it takes to stop is 123 feet, which can be deadly in a school zone.

Don't drive distracted

Use of mobile phones behind the wheel is as dangerous as driving while drunk. Despite this fact, many people have no problem with distracted driving behavior, even while driving to school. Coupled with the fact that kids can behave erratically in school zones, driving distracted greatly increases your risk of having an accident.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 28, 2018 in Car Accidents

Now that winter is here Virginia drivers must take the proper precautions when on the road. Bad driving conditions mean a higher risk of accident, especially when dealing with careless motorists. While you can't always prevent accidents from occurring you can greatly reduce the risk by keeping the following tips in mind.

Take care on long trips

Many people take long road trips over the holiday season. In this case, AAA recommends checking the weather report before setting out. Winter storms can occur suddenly and if you're caught in the midst of one and are unprepared the consequences can be treacherous. If you notice poor weather consider postponing your outing for a few hours. Also, make sure the people at your destination are aware of your estimated time of arrival. That way they can contact help if you don't arrive.

Know how to drive in the snow

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 09, 2018 in Firm News

PRESS RELEASE

The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Virginia's Personal Injury Attorney Kevin L. Locklin as 2018 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Attorney for Personal Injury.

The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Attorney for Personal Injury in each state. Attorneys who are selected to the "10 Best" list must pass AIOPIA's rigorous select process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research, and AIOPIA's independent evaluation. AIOPIA's annual list was created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process.

One of the most significant aspects of the selectin process involves attorneys' relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney's top priority, AIOPIA places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in field of Persona Injury law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 09, 2018 in Firm News

PRESS RELEASE

The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Virginia's Personal Injury Attorney Kevin L. Locklin as 2018 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Attorney for Personal Injury.

The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Attorney for Personal Injury in each state. Attorneys who are selected to the "10 Best" list must pass AIOPIA's rigorous select process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research, and AIOPIA's independent evaluation. AIOPIA's annual list was created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process.

One of the most significant aspects of the selectin process involves attorneys' relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney's top priority, AIOPIA places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in field of Persona Injury law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 07, 2018 in Motorcycle Accidents

All types of traffic accidents have the potential to be devastating, but motorcycle collisions are especially severe. A motorcyclist who is involved in an accident may face numerous consequences, some of which are physical, emotional and possibly financial. In this post, we will take a look at brain injuries that are caused by motorcycle collisions and some of the different ways that the victims of these terrible accidents may be able to recover in their lives.

With less to protect them, at least when compared to those driving larger vehicles, motorcyclists are particularly likely to be seriously hurt or killed in an accident. A motorcyclist may be thrown from their motorcycle or they may wipe out and slam their head on the ground or another vehicle. This can lead to a brain injury, which may be immediately evident or less noticeable, showing symptoms years later. Wearing a helmet can protect a motorcyclist's head but cannot always prevent brain injuries. Not to mention, motorcyclists are hurt in many other ways, from neck injuries to broken bones.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 02, 2018 in Car Accidents

You might not think it's easy to avoid collisions, but the reality is that it can be. Drivers who are distracted are fairly obvious if you know the signs to watch out for. Additionally, there are steps you can take to make yourself a safer driver, so you greatly reduce your risk of injury.

Here are three tips that can help you avoid a collision with a driver who is texting. Texting is the most hazardous distraction, but with the right knowledge, you can prevent collisions.

1. Watch the driver's actions

The first thing you should do is monitor the way the driver is acting. Is the person weaving in and out of traffic? Do they suddenly slow down or speed up? Do they go off the side of the road and suddenly correct? These are all signs that they're distracted in one way or another.

When a person texts, it takes their eyes off the road for two or three seconds, at least. What's more shocking is that 95 percent of texts are read within three minutes of being sent, and it takes people around 90 seconds to respond on average. If the driver is texting, they're likely thinking about something else and are highly distracted.

Continue Reading ››