Posted on April 22, 2015 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Last week, the differences between the civil court system and the criminal court system were discussed. The civil courts can give the victim of a drunk driving accident the ability to hold a drunk driver accountable in the event of an injury-causing or fatal accident. However, navigating the civil system and pursuing a successful lawsuit against a negligent driver can be highly complicated. A Virginia drunk driver victim attorney can shoulder the burden of navigating the court system for a victim or family hurt by an accident.

In the days and weeks after an alcohol-related accident, victims and their families often don't know what to do. The attorneys at Locklin & Coleman, PLLC understand the financial burden of recovering from a wreck. They work aggressively to pursue recovery of a fair amount of damages to which a victim is entitled.

These damages may include current and future medical expenses, lost wages due to inability to work, pain and suffering and loss of life enjoyment. In fatal accident cases, the victim's family may be in dire financial need after the loss of an income-earner. A wrongful death case can be pursued when a drunk driver claims the life of another. When a driver's BAC level was 0.15 or higher at the time of an accident, victims may also pursue punitive damages from the drunk driver.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 16, 2015 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Imagine you have just been hit by a drunk driver. As a Virginian, what do you do?

In most cases, seeking immediate medical attention and cooperating with police are a drunk driving accident victim's first priorities. However, after one's emergency medical needs have been met, there can be confusion regarding how to hold a drunk driver accountable.

Both the criminal and the civil court system can hold a drunk driver accountable for their actions. There are significant differences between the two systems, though, and an accident victim can learn more from a Manassas personal injury attorney.

In the criminal system, the accident victim, or his or her family, typically hopes for justice. A negligent, law-breaking driver may be punished via jail time, fines, a driver's license suspension or a license revocation. That individual will also have a criminal record, if convicted of a crime.

In the civil court system, a broad variety of conflicts are heard, from class-action product liability lawsuits to divorce cases. Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are also heard in civil court, which is why drunk driving accidents may appear in either type of court.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 09, 2015 in Truck Accidents

Being involved in a Virginia car accident is a traumatic experience, but becoming a victim of a tractor trailer accident can prove extremely harrowing. Many Manassas residents have likely experienced driving down a highway or interstate and seeing a tire on a semi-truck blow-out. A tire-related tractor trailer accident can have serious repercussions for both the driver inside the truck, as well as for other vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, a new report indicates that accidents related to semi-truck tire blowouts are increasing.

According to federal investigators, higher speed limits on many interstates are to blame for a disturbing number of truck accidents. From 2009 to 2013, there were 14,000 deadly wrecks caused by buses and large trucks. Government data show that over 220 of the fatalities involved the heavy tires on such trucks. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation revealed that tire maintenance and high speed limits were behind several blowouts of Michelin tires.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 01, 2015 in Car Accidents

A car crash in the Manassas area can take many forms: one vehicle may rear end another, there might be a dangerous "t-bone" impact, cars may slide on ice and hit each other or a wrong-way driver may plow head-on into another car. Regardless of the type of auto accident, it is extremely important to determine who was at fault. The finding of fault has crucial implications for liability, insurance, payment of medical expenses and the criminal and civil legal aspects of a crash.

How is fault determined after an auto crash? First, it is important to know that fault is not always obvious — and even when it seems to be, insurance companies and lawsuits require evidence. In certain types of collisions, such as rear end accident or a left-turn accident, fault may be relatively straightforward to discern. However, variables such as weather conditions, the state of the vehicles involved in the crash, road conditions, signage near the area of impact and the behavior of the driver who was hit may make finding fault in these types of accidents more complicated.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 26, 2015 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Following any type of car accident in which there has been loss of life, families of the victim often require multiple types of support. There is a tremendous need for emotional support, and often the need for financial support as well. After an unexpected death in the family, relatives must generally cope with medical expenses and funeral costs in addition to potential loss of income. Families in Manassas and surrounding areas may also have another need during times of shocking loss - the need for legal support.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, families can find a crucial source of legal support when it seems as if the uncertainty is overwhelming. Our experienced legal team has helped families obtain millions of dollars in settlements following fatal motor vehicle accidents. Just as importantly, the Virginia wrongful death attorneys at our firm help families through the legal process step-by-step. From a no-cost initial consultation through verdict and settlement, the lawyers are assertive advocates for the rights of victims' families.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 19, 2015 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

When most Manassas residents think of commercial vehicles, they probably think of professional drivers behind the wheels of big rigs and 18-wheelers. However, commercial vehicles can take many different forms, from large semis to box trucks. In addition, sometimes, non-commercial drivers will find themselves behind the wheel of a larger truck to which they are unaccustomed, especially if they are renting a box truck for the first time.

Many drivers are understandably a bit nervous behind the wheel of an unfamiliar vehicle, especially a large truck. In order to avoid negligence on the roads and resulting accidents, drivers can follow safety tips for novice truck drivers. Likewise, those sharing the roads with commercial vehicles can also benefit from these safety precautions in order to avoid an accident with a truck.

One of the biggest safety issues for truck drivers is visibility. Truck drivers will generally want to take the time to properly adjust all mirrors so that they can see as much as possible at all times. Unlike smaller cars, trucks feature much larger "blind spots" so extreme caution when changing lanes is also a necessity. Those driving a truck for the first time may find it more comfortable to stay in the right lane as much as is reasonable, especially since it can take a while to get heavily-loaded trucks up to speed on a highway.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 12, 2015 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Most drivers in Manassas are aware of the possibility of a car accident, but few think a serious or fatal accident will ever happen to them. For all motorists, passengers and pedestrians, though, the presence of intoxicated drivers is a threat that can impact them directly at any time. One Virginia family was recently left reeling after a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of two sisters from Goochland.

The accident took place earlier this month on a Sunday, on Interstate 64 a little after 8:00 p.m. Two sisters and the 16-year-old son of one of the women were heading home from a baby shower when an apparently drunk driver struck their vehicle from behind. Their car lurched off the road and struck a tree. The drunk driver's car proceeded to collide with a third car as well as a guardrail. Fortunately, the driver in the third vehicle did not suffer serious injuries, but the same could not be said for the occupants of the car that was forced off the roadway. Both sisters were killed in the accident, while the 16-year-old's collarbone was broken.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 05, 2015 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Cell phones have become an integral part of everyday life in Manassas and across the country. While mobile devices have undoubtedly made life easier in countless ways, they pose a threat when used in the wrong types of situations. Using a handheld cell phone, while driving, is illegal in Virginia. A police officer may even pull over a driver using such a device, even if they have not committed any other offense.

Virginia takes distracted driving seriously, which is why it is so important to commercial vehicle drivers to also obey all cell phone restrictions because cell phone distractions can cause a commercial vehicle accident. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are a myriad of restrictions regarding truck drivers' ability to use a cell phone while behind the wheel. Texting while driving is completely prohibited, while talking on a cell phone is only allowed if the driver is using a hands-free device. Commercial motor vehicle drivers are also prohibited from reaching for a mobile device or pushing more than one button to make a call.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 26, 2015 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Getting involved in any type of Virginia car accident can be traumatic, but being hit by a drunk driver adds another dimension to the complex effects of a wreck. No one has to drink and drive. Thus, drunk driving accidents are completely preventable. These types of accidents still plague Northern Virginia's streets, though, and residents of Manassas and surrounding areas may find themselves an accident victim at some point. After being struck by an intoxicated driver, it can be extremely helpful to seek professional legal guidance.

What some accident victims may not realize is that, while the criminal justice system will likely penalize a drunk driver, that system does not provide tangible relief to a victim. After an alcohol-related accident, the victim may suffer physical injury, physical and emotional pain and suffering, missed work and subsequent lost wages, and a potentially long road to recovery. Many times the victim's car is also severely damaged. Often one's auto insurance does not cover everything, and health insurance deficiencies are commonplace nowadays. With staggering medical bills and looming rehabilitation costs, what can a drunk driving accident victim do?

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 19, 2015 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

The various types of Virginia car crashes are familiar to most drivers, even if they are lucky enough to have never been involved in one. Most Virginia drivers, for instance, know what a rear-end collision is, that a fender-bender is usually not serious and that a head-on collision is to be avoided at all costs. Among the various types of dangerous incidents, the "rollover" is one that is often an element in fatal car accidents.

Simply put, a rollover is when one's vehicle is flipped-over and turns upside down. This type of accident can be caused by various contributing factors, such as a negligent driver speeding and steering too severely or a negligent tire company whose products malfunction when a car is operating at a fast pace. Certain types of vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles and large trucks, are more prone to rollovers. When a car is higher off the ground and has a relatively narrow width, it is more likely to experience a rollover. Rollovers, in fact, are the primary cause of deaths in SUVs, whereas the main cause of death related to passenger cars are frontal collisions.

Continue Reading ››