Posted on February 05, 2019 in Car Accidents

As the world continues to change and technology becomes ever more prominent, it will continue to be part of drivers' lives. Unfortunately, technology does have the potential to damage your ability to drive safely and accurately.

Did you know that technology used in vehicles can make drivers overconfident? That's right. Someone who knows that their vehicle will automatically brake if they get too close to another vehicle is less likely to pay attention than those without the technology on board. Drivers with lane warnings are less likely to look to the side to check for traffic.

Other technology, like GPS systems, cellphones and radios are also distracting in their own ways. While listening to the radio won't necessarily make you a bad driver, changing stations and taking your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road and mind off what you're doing can. Responding to text messages can lead to crashes when you don't look up at the road for a long distance. Even a GPS can be distracting as you try to set up where you want to go.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 24, 2019 in Truck Accidents

Everyone has deadlines that they have to meet in their lives, and often those deadlines can be a source of stress. Many of yours may arise from your work, and the thought that your employment status could depend on meeting them may prompt you to hurry through tasks in order to get projects submitted. Imagine if your work involved driving along Manassas' roads. Once you have envisioned this, it may be easier to understand why professional drivers (including truck drivers) may be apt to speed.

If you have been involved in a truck accident in which you know the trucker was speeding, it may be easy to say that they were simply being negligent and had no regard for your safety (nor that of the others on the road). Yet (while not excusing their actions) if it were revealed that they were hurrying in order to fulfill a route on time, your stance may soften. It may be reasonable to expect motor carriers to want their deliveries to be made on time (given the need to keep their clients happy), and to even encourage their drivers to do what they can to ensure that happens. It is when the expectation is set that drivers need to exceed speed limits in order to meet delivery times that a motor carrier invites liability.

Continue Reading ››

 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 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 ››