Posted on September 16, 2022 in Car Accidents

One of the most important ways of protecting yourself after a car crash is to clarify what consequences it created as soon as possible. For those who may have injuries, this step requires a medical evaluation. Even if you check yourself for warning signs of an injury at the scene of the wreck, you could easily overlook something.

Between delayed-onset symptoms and the chemicals your body releases to protect you in times of stress, you could fail to notice at first that you have a serious injury. Some people hurt in car crashes that were not their fault still choose not to go to the doctor because they don't have health insurance.

Especially if there's a possibility of serious injury, seeing a doctor after a crash can help you protect yourself financially.

If the injury is from the wreck, make car insurance pay

Whether you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from hitting your head on the side window

during the crash or a hairline fracture in your arm, you may need thousands of dollars of medical treatment to recover from your crash injuries. You may also not realize you have those injuries until the next day or even later without proper medical evaluation. TBIs, for example, often don't produce major symptoms for days, if not weeks.

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 Posted on September 13, 2022 in Drunk Driving Accidents

You probably know that the legal blood-alcohol limit for alcohol for drivers in Virginia is.08 percent. Technically, this means that it is not against the law to drive with a lower BAL, as long as you do not cause an accident. You probably have also seen or heard about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving" public service message campaign.

For years, the NHTSA has run TV commercials, billboards and other mass media messages warning us that driving with a BAL above zero can cause car accidents with deadly or life-changing injuries to innocent people. According to the agency, in 2020, a total of 2,041 people died in collisions with drivers with BALs between.01 to.07 percent.

Alcohol's effects before the legal driving limit

Despite the legal limit being.08 percent, alcohol generally begins affecting a drinker's physical and mental faculties at lower levels.

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 Posted on August 30, 2022 in Pedestrian Accidents

Few physical activities are as refreshing as an early morning or late evening walk. However, walking comes with its share of risks. One of these is the risk of pedestrian accidents. If you are involved in a pedestrian accident that is attributable to a motorist, you may pursue them for compensation for the resulting economic and non-economic damages.

However, you do not have the luxury to file a personal injury claim when you want to. The state of Virginia, like all the other states, has a statute of limitations that governs how much time a plaintiff has to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Virginia statute of limitations for personal injury

Under Virginia statute, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. You risk forfeiting your right to compensation if you fail to file within this period.

A pedestrian accident can leave you with devastating injuries. Consider legal help to file your claim in the correct manner.

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 Posted on August 24, 2022 in Truck Accidents

In most professions, people are going to be paid by the hour. A worker in a warehouse might make $20 an hour, for instance, or they may be put on salary for a set amount of money every pay period.

For truck drivers, however, the system of payment can often be very different. These drivers tend to be paid for every mile that they drive during a shift. This pay canrange from $.40 all the way up to nearly 2 dollars a mile, depending if the driver owns and operates the truck themselves or drives for a company.

Some drivers like this pay system because it allows them to have some control over how much money they make. But is there a hidden danger lurking behind the scenes?

Pressure to earn more

The problem is that these types of pay scales put a lot of pressure on drivers to try to earn as much money as they can. For instance, a driver who feels like they are too tired to drive safely may continue to press on for mile after mile. They may know that it's unsafe, but they are just thinking about their budget and their total earnings.

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 Posted on August 18, 2022 in Car Accidents

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents in the U.S. Basically, distracted driving happens when the motorist engages in activities that take their focus away from the road thus preventing them from responding to road conditions and other hazards. Ultimately, this exposes them and other road users to danger.

Distracted driving happens in a number of ways: manual distraction (when the driver's hands are taken off the steering), visual distraction (when the driver's eyes are off the road) and cognitive distraction (when the driver's mind is off the road).

Distracted driving can lead to the following types of accidents:

• Head-on collision when a driver veers off their lane into oncoming traffic
• Rear-end collision when the driver fails to react in time
• Pedestrian accident when the driver fails to give way at the crosswalk

Virginia distracted driving laws

The use of electronic devices while driving is illegal in Virginia. These include cellphones, tablets, laptops or two-way radios. Penalties for this violation can include fines and the suspension of the driver's license.

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 Posted on August 02, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Truck drivers have a dangerous job. In addition to driving large vehicles with heavy loads, they also work long hours.

Spending a lot of time on the road can also mean that drivers do not get the sleep they need. While they have specifically regulated breaks, they may not get the restful sleep they need to be alert on the road. These drowsy drivers can make for hazardous situations on the road.

Here's what you should know about the dangers of sharing a road with an overtired trucker.

Is being tired trouble?

For many, driving while a little tired is not uncommon. Whether you had a long day at work or are driving after a restless night of trying to sleep, you may already be familiar with overcoming tiredness behind the wheel.

The biggest problem with overtired drivers is that exhaustion can dramatically slow their reaction time. Often, it can be challenging to determine if they are too tired to be on the road until there is a situation where their reflexes fail.

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 Posted on July 28, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Semitrucks are subjected to specific limits for the weight, height, and length of the cargo they're transporting. When any of these are greater than the allowed limits, a permit is needed that outlines the specifications for the transport. This may include things like what type of safety measures must be taken and when the load can be transported.

Oversize loads that meet certain specifications may require guide vehicles, which are also known as escort vehicles. Other drivers should pay close attention to these vehicles so they can remain safe around the oversized load.

What are the dangers of oversized loads?

Truckers can have difficulties controlling an oversize load. Weight distribution can put more pressure on certain axles while reducing the weight on others, which can make it hard to steer. These loads have a risk of rolling over. Vehicles on the side of the oversized load could be crushed if there's a rollover incident.

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 Posted on July 21, 2022 in Car Accidents

There are certain vehicle designs that make pedestrian accidents more likely. In the past, one such design was the blind spot behind the vehicle, which led to people backing into pedestrians on sidewalks or in parking lots. As a result, all new vehicles in the United States now have backup cameras, which have gone a long way to prevent these accidents.

But that's not the only blind spot that can cause issues for drivers and pedestrians. In many cases, pedestrians can be hidden by the A-pillar of the car itself, which can lead a driver who is making a turn to strike a pedestrian without ever seeing them.

What is the A-pillar?

The A-pillar is simply the support pillar on the side of the front window.

It's called an A-pillar because there are two pillars on each side of the window that go up and connect above it. This is a very important structural part of the vehicle, designed to protect the occupants in the event of a crash – especially a rollover crash. But these A-pillars have to be somewhat wide just to be strong enough to hold the vehicle, and they get even wider when manufacturers add in the aesthetic design of the car.

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 Posted on July 18, 2022 in Car Accidents

Heading out for your busy day, you never expected to end up getting into a crash. When you were driving, a stray tire flew your direction, colliding with your vehicle and making you swerve into traffic. When all was said and done, you were sure that the tire came from the semi in front of you, but can they be blamed?

The truck driver could be held accountable for any damage caused by debris coming from their vehicle so long as you have their information and the police can get in touch. For instance, if you were able to get the license plate number or other identifying information, the police may be able to contact the driver to investigate further.

If it's found that they lost a tire or had a tire blowout that caused a serious collision, then they may be found at fault for any damages or injuries.

You deserve to make a claim for compensation

Any time you're in a crash that is caused by another person, it is possible to take action and to ask that they cover your financial losses. In this kind of case, the driver might not stop at the scene, because they may not be aware that a tire came loose or blew and hit others. Sometimes, truck drivers will pull over due to a flat or blown tire, so if they do, that's a good time to gather information about them (especially if you were involved in a crash).

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 Posted on June 13, 2022 in Injuries

Pedestrians know that each time they are walking on sidewalks near busy roadways that there is always the chance that an accident can happen. Many of the roadways in our communities were not designed with pedestrian safety in mind.

Falls Church is receiving significant attention due to the number of serious incidents that have happened over the years. The Culmore neighborhood has seen more than 15 pedestrian accidents since 2015, resulting in 4 deaths. People who live in the neighborhood, as well as traffic safety experts, attribute the causes of the accidents to many different factors, including poor lightning and vehicles exceeding speed limits.

Officials are examining ways to help improve pedestrian safety, but, significant overhauls can take time to implement. Temporary barriers may be put in place to help protect pedestrians, but they are not a long-term solution.

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