Posted on December 21, 2023 in Car Accidents

In Virginia, state law mandates that all children younger than eight be adequately secured in a child safety/booster seat. Studies reveal that rear-facing seats are significantly safer.

With disproportionately heavy heads and underdeveloped neck muscles, infants can suffer significant neck strain when not sitting in a rear-facing seat. Forward-facing seats can result in considerable force to the baby's neck.

Troubling trends

Despite awareness campaigns to educate parents on the need for car seats to restrain their children while traveling safely, many mothers and fathers fall short in protecting their kids. Many still go without restraints, holding children in their laps to share a seatbelt or allowing them to travel in the cargo areas of a larger vehicle. Other parents use second-hand car seats that are six years old or more, and some following accidents, a dangerous "cost-saving measure."

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 Posted on September 07, 2023 in Car Accidents

Car accidents are undoubtedly a traumatic experience for anyone. People are often shaken and highly emotional in the moment; after all, it takes time for their minds to catch up with what their bodies just went through.

In these circumstances, it is perfectly normal to feel a whole range of emotions, including fear, which can sometimes lead to mistakes that can hurt you and your case if you end up inside a courtroom. Common mistakes people make after a car accident include:

Not seeking medical attention

Some people assume that if they feel fine, they are medically cleared and can go home immediately after a car accident. However, that is a common misconception and a dangerous one, too.

Many conditions that involve symptoms that develop later or over time can stem from car accidents, so seeking medical attention immediately after a car accident is critical, even if you feel like you can tough it out.

Not calling the police

People sometimes think that if the accident is minor, it is not necessary to call the police. However, it is almost always necessary to call 911 after an accident. While the other parties may apologize and promise to take care of things, their stories often change in the coming days.

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 Posted on August 07, 2023 in Bicycling Accidents

Bicycle riders in Manassas know they must be careful when riding near motorized traffic. Nevertheless, riding in Virginia has gotten very dangerous in 2023.

According to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, by the end of May, nine bikers were killed and 156 injured in a total of 160 bicycle accidents. With "only" four deaths last year at the same time of year, Virginia has seen a 125 percent in fatalities in collisions between cars and bicycles year-over-year.

Protecting yourself from negligent Virginia drivers

Without knowing the details of any of these tragic incidents, it is likely that at least some of them were the result of driver negligence. Motorists who change lanes or turn without signaling or looking out for bicyclists are at high risk of running into one. So are speeders, distracted drivers and drunk drivers. There is nothing you can do to stop a dangerous driver from being on the same road you are riding on, but you can help reduce the risk of injury to yourself by doing the following:

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 Posted on July 17, 2023 in Car Accidents

Summertime is when most people take the opportunity to travel or go on a vacation, and while this is a great way to spend the warm weather it is also a common time for motor vehicle accidents. That is why it is important to take precautions when you are driving this summer, and to minimize your risks so that you can enjoy your time safely.

Why is summertime so dangerous?

Studies have shown for years that summertime is the peak time for roadway fatalities overall in the United States. There are many reasons for this, as noted above, many people are traveling and on the road more in the summertime. A lot of construction also takes place during the summertime, as the weather is more conducive for builders, and this can create hazardous road conditions.

Additionally, more teenagers are driving in the summertime while they are out of school, and as more inexperienced drivers they are more prone to accidents. Another reason why it is more dangerous to drive around in the summertime is that the deadliest day to drive during the year is Independence Day. With so many people celebrating the holiday, drunk driving is a common result, with tragic results.

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 Posted on July 17, 2023 in Car Accidents

Have you gotten a letter from your auto insurance provider recently? If so, you might be confused about what it says and what you should do about it to keep yourself covered in case of a serious car accident with an underinsured motorist.

You might have heard that the Virginia General Assembly passed a law changing how underinsured motorist (UIM) collision insurance is handled. That law goes into effect on July 1. It could significantly affect how much you can receive in damages if an underinsured driver is responsible for a wreck that causes you significant injuries.

The old rule for UIM insurance compensation

Before the new law, if you were injured in a collision with a driver who was at fault but whose insurance coverage wasn't enough to compensate you for damages, the amount your own UIM insurance coverage would provide you was subtracted by the amount the other driver's insurance would cover.

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 Posted on May 19, 2023 in Car Accidents

Loaning someone your vehicle is a typical exchange among family members and friends. The "terms of use" can last an hour or an entire day. Referred to as a "permissive user," the borrower has access to the "regular user's" car for a specific period of time. However, they are not listed on the insurance policy.

What is a permissive user?

Depending on the policy, driving an insured vehicle with the owner's permission may or may not involve insurance coverage. Most car insurers mandate that family members and those using the vehicle regularly be listed on the insurance application. Permissive users are usually not a member of a household.

A majority of insurers will provide coverage for permissive use. However, if the permissive user lives with the owner or is a family member, they have to be added. Post-accident, insurers may deny the claim if it was a family member or co-tenant who had regular access to the vehicle, but was not listed on the policy.

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 Posted on April 27, 2023 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Being involved in a car accident is always a traumatic experience. Still, it can be especially devastating if a drunk driver causes the accident. If you or a loved one has received injuries from a drunk driving accident in Virginia, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

Here's the information and guidance you need to help you navigate this difficult situation.

The consequences of drunk driving accidents

Drunk driving accidents can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries. You may experience physical injuries such as broken bones, lacerations and head trauma, as well as emotional and psychological trauma that can last long after the accident. In addition to the physical and emotional toll, drunk driving accidents can also result in financial hardship due to medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

Seeking compensation for your injuries

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 Posted on March 10, 2023 in Car Accidents

Until you have experienced chronic pain for yourself, you cannot understand what it is like. Pain resulting from injuries in a car accident is usually much worse than the occasional headache or stiff back. The pain and debilitation from an auto accident can be agonizing and affect every aspect of your life.

Reduced ability to live independently

If your pain is bad enough, you might lack the strength, flexibility, or energy to work enough hours to earn at the level you did before the car accident. Even everyday tasks, like cooking, cleaning your home and getting dressed, can be too tough to do for yourself. Even with help, living with pain day in and day out can be exhausting.

For many patients, chronic pain will fade in time or at least can be controlled with medication and physical therapy. However, many painkillers carry a serious risk of addiction. And in many cases, the pain is permanent.

The mental toll

Mental illness is often the more subtle harm that a motor vehicle wreck can cause. Sadly, pain and suffering can take a toll on your mental health. Common mental health conditions and emotional states associated with chronic pain include:

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 Posted on March 07, 2023 in Car Accidents

Dealing with the effects of a serious car accident can be very confusing. Most drivers in Prince William County have been in a crash before, but the vast majority have never been badly injured. Handling matters related to a more violent wreck can be totally different than a mild fender-bender.

As much as you might want to control the situation, there are at least three things you cannot know about your car accident claim before it happens.

What your claim is worth

Most people are not familiar with Virginia's personal injury laws and what types of compensation they might be entitled to after a major car crash. For example, you might know that you can seek compensation for your medical bills related to your injuries and any lost wages from the time you were forced to take off work. But Virginia also recognizes compensation for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering and lost quality of life, that you have experienced. Thus, your damages could be much higher than you realize.

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 Posted on January 19, 2023 in Car Accidents

If you are involved in a car accident, you should immediately go to the doctor or emergency room. If you cannot drive yourself, ask the police or someone nearby to call an ambulance.

Even if you don't feel like you were significantly injured in the accident, you should go to the doctor for an evaluation.

The pain may be masked

Your body's "fight or flight" response is activated when you are involved in an accident. This causes adrenaline to pump through your veins, which can hide potential pain and injuries. In fact, you may not notice signs of an injury for hours, days or longer after the accident.

By the time you notice something is wrong, you may require surgery or another type of extreme treatment. When you go to the doctor immediately after an accident, these injuries can be found and treated.

Get documentation of your injuries

Another reason you need to go to the doctor after a car accident is that it gives you documentation of your injuries and when they occurred. This is invaluable if you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit.

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