Posted on August 20, 2018 in Car Accidents

Bicycling is an excellent option all year round in Virginia. It provides good exercise and allows commuters to get from one location to another.

Just like any other travel-based hobby, it is important to know the rules of the road to help ensure everyone's safety. One such rule to keep in mind is Virginia's law regarding helmet use. Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear a helmet unless traveling at less than 15 mph or in a parade, but what about bicyclists?

Rules for young riders vary

Virginia code allows the governing body of any county, city or town to require any bicyclist or bicycle passenger who is 14 years or younger to wear a helmet while on a highway, sidewalk or public bike path. Manassas, Manassas Park and Fairfax are among the cities who have adopted this requirement.

No requirement for older riders

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 Posted on August 10, 2018 in Car Accidents

When fast food restaurants first opened, you may remember that they had parking lots and places for people to stop. Instead of going inside a restaurant, waitresses and waiters would come to the vehicles, taking orders and delivering food directly to the car.

These quick restaurants became the basis for today's fast food, but with the way the fast-food chains are set up today, few, if any, people stop after going through the drive through. A shocking number of people grab a bite to eat and continue to eat as they travel on to their next destination not realizing that fast food could cause a crash.

Fast food is a danger to drivers

Many people believe that eating fast food while driving should be against the law. Why? Similar to changing radio stations, talking on the phone or texting, it takes your mind — and at least one hand (!) — off the road. In seconds, you could end up in a serious collision. It's not illegal to eat behind the wheel yet, but there are some reasons why advocates want to see it banned.

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 Posted on July 20, 2018 in Pedestrian Accidents

In Virginia, it's crucial for motorists and pedestrians to coexist peacefully to prevent serious injuries from occurring. However, this often easier said than done, especially in areas with large amounts of foot traffic. In order to ensure the safety of all who share the road, State Farm offers the following tips to help drivers and pedestrians keep a focus on safety.

What Drivers Can Do

While you can't always prevent accidents from occurring, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of severe injury. For instance, keeping distractions to a minimum will allow you to be alert to the presence of pedestrians when out and about. Also, when driving towards crosswalks be sure to approach cautiously. Remember that pedestrians always have the right-of-way, and never try to go around another vehicle stopped to let a pedestrian cross the street safely. Additionally, if you're driving in close proximity to a school or daycare be extra cautious, as children may dart into the street without warning.

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 Posted on July 12, 2018 in Motorcycle Accidents

While riding a motorcycle can be a thrilling experience, keeping safety in account is crucial for new riders. This is because road hazards are far more dangerous for motorcyclists due to lack of protection and in many cases passenger vehicles fail to recognize the presence of motorcycles on the road (which can lead to catastrophe). NapaOnline.com recommends the following tips in this case, which will prepare you for the road ahead.

Always Wear a Helmet

Even if your state doesn't require you to wear a helmet, it's best to do so. Statistics show that helmets make a real difference if you are involved in a crash, as illustrated by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Helmets prevent about 67 percent of serious brain trauma and can reduce fatal injuries by 37 percent. Accordingly, a good helmet can protect you from serious injury as well as loss of life.

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 Posted on July 05, 2018 in Car Accidents

One complication of car crashes occurs if the driver was using a company vehicle. While the driver may be to blame for the crash, there is a question as to who should pay for the injuries the other party suffered.

In many cases, victims of crashes will go after the driver and seek to use his or her insurance information to make a claim. However, the reality may be that you're able to seek compensation through the insurance of the employer, not just the driver.

Can you hold an employer liable for a crash?

If you are hit by someone using a company vehicle, then the respondeat superior/vicarious liability laws may take effect. Through vicarious liability, it's possible to hold employers liable for their employees' actions. Employers are held liable if you can show that the employee was working within the scope of his or her employment at the time of the collision.

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 Posted on June 21, 2018 in Truck Accidents

The speed limit is 70, there are only two lanes on the Virginia interstate, and the majority of vehicles on the road have 18 wheels. Driving alongside semi-trucks can be nerve-wracking, especially when the weather makes things hard to see. Esurance outlines the two keys to navigating around these large trucks safely: awareness and patience.

Drivers in normal-sized cars have a responsibility to stay visible to truck drivers at all times in order to avoid negligence. Truckers have a massive blind spot. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial drivers cannot see certain areas on all four sides of their truck. That includes 20 feet of the pavement in front of them, 30 feet behind them and about 20 feet on their sides as well. A good rule of thumb is this: If a car driver cannot see the truck driver, then the truck driver probably cannot see the car.

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 Posted on June 07, 2018 in Car Accidents

As a driver in Virginia, you know how important safe driving is for both yourself as well as other motorists. However, accidents can and will happen, and in many cases there are common factors that contribute to collisions between vehicles. Slate.com offers the following information on these common causes, which can help drivers steer clear of any issues.

An alarming number of motorists admit to falling asleep while behind the wheel at least once. Unlike other dangerous behaviors (like drinking and driving) falling asleep can happen to even the most cautious drivers, particularly on long trips lasting a few hours or more. Always be aware of your level of fatigue when driving, especially when you were deprived sleep the previous night. If you feel tired, pull over and rest until you're able to drive safely again.

When making a right turn it's crucial that drivers come to a full and complete stop. The "rolling stop" as it's known is exceedingly risky and can actually take lives should you hit a pedestrian or cyclist. In the best-case scenario, you could fail to see another vehicle approaching, which will lead to property damage and the need for costly repairs.

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 Posted on May 25, 2018 in Motorcycle Accidents

Many in Manassas may envy the freedom that motorcycles offer, yet few likely would want to be faced with the lack of personal protection bikers have in accidents. There is virtually nothing protecting a rider from the road should he or she be struck by (or collide with) another vehicle. That may be why many fail to understand why any motorcyclist would disagree with laws that would require him or her to wear a protective helmet. Per Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles, such equipment is 29 percent effective at preventing death and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries in motorcycle accidents.

Virginia law does indeed require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Section 46.2-910 of the state's Motor Vehicle Code states that both riders and passengers must wear helmets at all times while riding on a bike. The only exceptions to this rule are when they are traveling less than 15 mph or when they are participating in a motorcycle parade organized by local municipalities or the state's Department of Transportation.

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 Posted on May 19, 2018 in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians have a right to be on and around the roadways, just like drivers do, so long as they follow the laws designed to keep them safe. Unfortunately, between distracted drivers and pedestrians who don't know the laws, there are many crashes that happen ever day.

Around 5,000 pedestrians die each year as a result of motor-vehicle-related accidents, but these deaths don't have to happen. By being aware of the reasons for these crashes, it's possible to reduce and eliminate the risks.

For example, Virginia Code Section 46.2-924(A) states that vehicles shall yield to pedestrians at:

1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block;

2. At any regular pedestrian crossing included in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block;

3. At any intersection when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed 35 miles per hour.

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 Posted on May 07, 2018 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Despite having been available in areas like Manassas since 2010, many local residents are still unfamiliar with the concept of ride-sharing. Those just becoming acquainted with companies like Uber will likely first want to know how safe they are before committing to using them. Unfortunately, ride-sharing accident statistics are still difficult to find. This is due to the both the practice being fairly new, as well as the fact that no official method exists for documenting ride-sharing accidents. Per information shared by The Chicago Tribune, law enforcement authorities may not even think to document whether a vehicle involved in a collision was driven by an Uber driver since such drivers use their own personal cars.

Many may be willing to overlook the lack of safety data to use ride-sharing services provided that they know insurance coverage is available should they be in an accident. Uber maintains coverage for their drivers in certain scenarios, such as when they have the app on, or when they are driving to a location to pick up a fare. That coverage also extends to when they are transporting passengers. According to Uber's website, the company offers $1 million in third party liability insurance that will help cover a passenger's medical expenses when he or she is involved in an accident in which the Uber driver is at fault. If the driver that struck an Uber vehicle is at fault yet does not have auto insurance, Uber also offers $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to assist passengers.

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